From a pregnancy announcement, show-stopping performances from the world's biggest artists, to moving tributes of music legend's recently lost, the BET Awards were back in full force after going virtual last year.
"Empire" star Taraji P. Henson hosted the 21st annual show from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles June 27.
This year’s theme was “Year of the Black Woman," and Megan Thee Stallion, who led the nominations alongside fellow rapper DaBaby with seven, took home four awards for best female hip-hop artist, the viewer's choice award for her "Savage" remix featuring Beyoncé, best collaboration and video of the year for "WAP," her collaboration with Cardi B.
The three-time Grammy winner also easily delivered one of the best performances of the night, dressed in an all-black latex bodysuit giving us major "Hot Girl Summer" vibes.
Megan Thee Stallion donates more than $8,000 to help cover a fan's funeral costs
When accepting the award for best female hip-hop artist, the "Savage" rapper said: "I really forgot to say ‘thank you Cardi' for even putting me on ‘WAP' because it makes me feel so good to be acknowledged by one of my peers, who I think so highly of."
"I think so highly of all the women who was nominated in this category," she added.
Baby No. 2:Cardi B reveals second pregnancy with Offset, shows off baby bump during BET Awards performance
Multi-hyphenate star Queen Latifah was honored with the lifetime achievement award for her 30-year career. "She is a legend," said director Lee Daniels during the award introduction.
Taking to the stage to perform a medley of the legend's classic hits was Lil' Kim, Rapsody, MC Lyte and Monie Love.
"I'm so extremely moved, I don't even know what to say," Latifah said during her speech, moved to tears. "I want to thank BET for creating an outlet for beautiful Blackness to thrive, to shine. When we couldn't get played on the radio and other places, we couldn't get our videos played in other places, there was BET that allowed us to be in our fullness."
She also thanked God, her father, Lancelot Owens, Sr. who accompanied her and late mother, Rita Owens, whom she carried a photo of onstage. "I've always celebrated the woman because I was raised by a strong Black woman," Latifah said proudly. "And raised by a father who loves women."
To close out the night, Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Spliff Star and Griselda took to the stage to pay tribute to DMX, who died in April at age 50. Swizz Beatz curated the tribute which featured a medley of the Ruff Ryders legend's biggest hits.
More:'He was never afraid of passing': DMX's ex-wife Tashera Simmons on rapper's final interview
Lil Nas X performed his hit "Call Me By Your Name" on the stage set in Ancient Egypt. The number ended with the pharaoh-attired rapper locking lips with a male background dancer atop a staircase next to a throne. The crowd roared loudly in approval with audience members jumping out of their seats in praise.
Perhaps the most memorable moment of the night, however, was at the top of the show when Cardi B revealed she was pregnant with her second child with Offset during her performance with Migos.
2021 BET Awards: Taraji P. Henson to host, Queen Latifah honored with Lifetime Achievement
Here is a full list of award nominees, with the winner's name in bold.
Album of the year
“After Hours,” The Weeknd
“Blame It on Baby,” DaBaby
“Good News,” Megan Thee Stallion
WINNER: “Heaux Tales,” Jazmine Sullivan
“King’s Disease,” Nas
“Ungodly Hour,” Chloe X Halle
Best female R&B / pop artist
Beyoncé
WINNER: H.E.R.
Jazmine Sullivan
Jhené Aiko
Summer Walker
SZA
Best male R&B / pop artist
6lack
Anderson .Paak
WINNER: Chris Brown
Giveon
Tank
The Weeknd
Best female hip-hop artist
Cardi B
Coi Leray
Doja Cat
WINNER: Megan Thee Stallion
Latto
Saweetie
Best male hip-hop artist
DaBaby
Drake
J. Cole
Jack Harlow
WINNER: Lil Baby
Pop Smoke
Best new artist
Coi Leray
Flo Milli
WINNER: Giveon
Jack Harlow
Latto
Pooh Shiesty
Best collaboration
WINNER: Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”
DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch, “Rockstar”
DJ Khaled featuring Drake, “Popstar”
Jack Harlow featuring DaBaby, Tory Lanez & Lil Wayne, “Whats Poppin (Remix)”
Megan Thee Stallion featuring DaBaby, “Cry Baby”
Pop Smoke featuring Lil Baby & DaBaby, “For the Night”
Best group
21 Savage & Metro Boomin
Chloe X Halle
Chris Brown & Young Thug
City Girls
Migos
WINNER: Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak)
Video of the year
Cardi B, “Up”
WINNER: Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”
Chloe X Halle, “Do It”
Chris Brown & Young Thug, “Go Crazy”
Drake featuring Lil Durk, “Laugh Now Cry Later”
Silk Sonic, “Leave the Door Open”
Dr. Bobby Jones best gospel/inspirational award
Bebe Winans, "In Jesus Name"
CeCe Winans, "Never Lost"
H.E.R., "Hold Us Together"
WINNER: Kirk Franklin, "Strong God"
Marvin Sapp, "Thank You for It All"
Tamela Mann, "Touch From You"
BET HER award
Alicia Keys featuring Khalid, “So Done”
Brandy featuring Chance the Rapper, “Baby Mama”
Bri Steves, “Anti Queen”
Chloe X Halle, “Baby Girl”
Ciara featuring Ester Dean, “Rooted”
WINNER: SZA, “Good Days”
Viewer’s choice award
Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”
Chris Brown & Young Thug, “Go Crazy”
DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch, “Rockstar”
DJ Khaled featuring Drake, “Popstar”
Drake featuring Lil Durk, “Laugh Now Cry Later”
Lil Baby, “The Bigger Picture”
WINNER: Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé, “Savage (Remix)”
Silk Sonic, “Leave the Door Open”
Video director of the year
Benny Boom
WINNER: Bruno Mars & Florent Déchard
Cole Bennett
Colin Tilley
Dave Meyers
Hype Williams
Best international act
Aya Nakamura (France)
WINNER: Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Emicida (Brazil)
Headie One (UK)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Young T & Bugsey (UK)
Youssoupha (France)
Best movie
“Coming 2 America”
WINNER:“Judas and the Black Messiah”
“Ma Rainey's Black Bottom”
“One Night in Miami”
“Soul”
“The United States Vs. Billie Holiday”
Best actress
WINNER: Andra Day
Angela Bassett
Issa Rae
Jurnee Smollett
Viola Davis
Zendaya
Best actor
Aldis Hodge
WINNER: Chadwick Boseman
Damson Idris
Daniel Kaluuya
Eddie Murphy
Lakeith Stanfield
Youngstars award
Alex R. Hibbert
Ethan Hutchison
Lonnie Chavis
WINNERS: Marsai Martin
Michael Epps
Storm Reid
Sportswoman of the year award
A'ja Wilson
Candace Parker
Claressa Shields
WINNER: Naomi Osaka
Serena Williams
Skylar Diggins-Smith
Sportsman of the year award
Kyrie Irving
WINNER: Lebron James
Patrick Mahomes
Russell Westbrook
Russell Wilson
Stephen Curry
Contributing: Associated Press
Source link
