WOW! This year’s BET Awards was one of the best that the network has had in a while. From bringing out Bad Boy to doing the Smokey Robinson tribute AND a tribute to Janet Jackson.
Kendrick Lamar opened up the stage with the American flag waving while he performed on a graffiti filled police car. His performance related to what’s actually going on in the real world with police brutality and the confederate flag issue. K-Dot, his new nickname, set the stage on fire performing his new single “Alright.” The hosts of the show Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross made their appearance in leotards, singing “Conqueror” by Estelle and Jussie Smollet, while Ms. Tracee was swinging from a harness. Entertaining to say the least.
Actresses Laverne Cox and Gabrielle Union presented the first awards wearing the same chic white dress. They announced that Terence Howard won the best actor award for his work in the FOX show “Empire”, so you know my girl Taraji P Henson had to win the Best Actress Award. Janelle Monae tore the stage up switching her style to sexy and seductive, singing her new song “Yoga” then new artist Jidenna came out singing “Classic Man”, and his attire matched his song title.
OF COURSE Nicki Minaj took the award for Best Female Hip Hop artist,who else would EVEN come close to winning that award in that category…NO ONE! K-Dot took the award for Best Hip Hop artist in a tough category with J.Cole, Drake, Common, Big Sean and Wale. The lovely Sam Smith won the award for Best New Artist, but he was not there to accept….because he is white and he didn’t think he would win LOL, says the comedian Anthony Anderson who accepted the award on his behalf. CB (Chris Brown) took home the award for Best Male R&B/Pop Artist AND The Fandemonium Award, as well as the Viewer’s Choice Award for the song “Only” alongside with Nicki Minaj, Drake and Wayne. Ms. Bey won the award for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist and Video of the year for her video “7/11″ and she was in those categories with some great artists……..who were actually at the awards. How many years has it been since she was at the awards??? ANYWHO, the group Rae Sremmurd won the Best Group Award for their songs ” No Flex Zone” and “Throw Some Mo”. The Best Collaboration category, was a competitive one with Chris Brown featuring Tyga and Lil Wayne, Big Sean & E-40, August Alsina (BAE) & Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown AGAIN featuring Usher & Rick Ross, Common & John Legend, and lastly Mark Ronso & Bruno Mars but the song “Glory” by Common & John Legend took home the win, which was on the Selma soundtrack. The film won the Best Movie Award as well.
OMG, the performances though…AMAZING!!! As I said before Kendrick hit the stage, then of course BET has their Music Matters singers that they showcase; Andra Day and Avery Wilson “sang” their hearts out. The Weeknd performed his new single “The Hills” and “Earned It” with Alicia Keys helping him on the piano. One of the BEST performances of the night was the Bad Boy Reunion. Diddy came out rapping “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” then of course he had to bring MA$E out to help him sing the anthem “Bad Boy.” THEN 112 came out singing “Peaches & Cream” THROWBIKE *Plies Voice*. The stunning Faith Evan sang “Love Like This.” Jadakiss came out with the crew to rap “All About Benjamins”…thennnnn Diddy fell, but he bounced back real quick, then Lil Kim popped up…literally to spit her verse. The song then shifted to the crew rapping “Mo Money Mo problems” and ending the song with Biggie’s verse. The reunion performance ended with Pharrell and Diddy singing “Fenna Get Loose” and with back up dancers killing a soul train line.
The other BEST performance of the night, was the Smokey Robinson Tribute. Tori Kelly sang the Jackson 5 hit “Who’s Loving You.” When I say that girl killed that performance, she did just that! She’s got some people asking “Who is this gorgeous white girl with the lovely voice?” Well Tori Kelly started making YouTube videos of her singing covers of songs at age 14. She is a former American Idol contestant of Season 9 but unfortunately didn’t make it to the top 24 contestants; but that didn’t stop her. She started working independently writing and producing her own music, until she got noticed by Capitol Records, and got signed to them last year. More recently, she debuted her first album “Unbreakable Smile” this past June. Robin Thicke also performed in the tribute singing the 1965 classic “Ooo Baby Baby”. Ne-Yo hit the stage singing “The Tears of a Clown.” Then Mr. Smokey himself had to shut it down singing “The Tracks of My Tears” and “Cruisin.” Then all four artist ended the tribute singing “My Girl.” He also accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The last great performance was the Janet Jackson tribute. Singers Tinashe, Ciara and Jason Derulo paid homage to the Ultimate Icon. The humble Janet Jackson accepted her award being so soft spoken and grateful for her award.
Other great performances of the night was Big Sean rapping “IDFWU”, “Blessed” and ” One Man Can Change the world”, then Meek Mills, Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj their new hit “All Eyes on You.” Of course it was adorable since Meek and Nicki are dating.
Tom Joyner took home the award Humanitarian of the Year for donating over $65 Million to HBCUs. Lastly Fetty Wap closed out the Awards singing the well-known hit “Trap Queen.” BET did their thang with this year’s award show. I’m definitely looking forward to next year.
See photos below of the show!!
Danii Gold 