The 15th annual BET Awards took place yesterday (28 June, 2015) and with a special tribute to Janet Jackson, a Bad Boy Records reunion, show-stopping performances from Kendrick Lamar and the Empire cast, Nicki Minaj’s acceptance speech to the Blackish guest spots, here
are some highlights from this year’s awards.
Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Top Dawg’ performance
Kendrick Lamar opened the show with one of the best televised performances of his career. Performing the song Alright, he stood on a cop car as the American flag flew behind him. Red, white and blue lights flashed and he reassured the crowd, “We gon’ be alright.”
Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson’s stellar performance
Blackish stars Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson did a fine job hosting and broke up the usual monotonous line of comedians who poke fun at hip-hop artists who sit in the first few rows.
Nicki Minaj’s acceptance speech
Nicki Minaj won best female rap artist for the sixth year in a row, and this year she brought out her mom on stage for her acceptance speech. “It’s the first time the world’s going to see her,” Minaj said as she thanked her mother. She also paid it forward to fellow nominee and future household name, Dej Loaf, who will be joining Minaj’s tour. Oh, and she called out “my baby” Meek Mill.
Bad Boy Records reunion
Diddy reunited Bad Boy Records stars Faith Evans, Mase, 112 and Lil Kim to pay tribute to one of the most iconic labels in hip-hop history. And apart from him falling on stage, it was an awesome performance.
Empire cast medley
Jussie Smollett, Yaz and Serayah performed three songs from the hit show — No Apologies, Drip Drop and You’re So Beautiful — before Smollett gave a moving speech about freedom and equality in America.
Janet Jackson’s epic tribute
BET honoured Janet Jackson with the Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual Award. In a dance performance that ended in fireworks, Ciara, Jason Derulo and Tinashe paid tribute to the icon’s career, and readied the crowd for her forthcoming album and worldwide tour.
Rihanna’s duct tape prank
Throughout the show, the camera panned to Rihanna, who carried a roll of duct tape around and tied up folks like Floyd Mayweather. BET teased that the gag would lead to a big reveal, and towards the end of the broadcast, Rihanna announced that the Bitch Better Have My Money music video would drop later this week. She then debuted the first minute.
Winners List
Best International Act: Africa
Stonebwoy (Ghana) (Winner)
AKA (South Africa)
Fally Ipupa (DR Congo)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Sauti Sol (Kenya)
The Soil (South Africa)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Chris Brown (Winner)
August Alsina
John Legend
The Weeknd
Trey Songz
Usher
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé (Winner)
Ciara
Janelle Monáe
Jhene Aiko
K. Michelle
Rihanna
Centric Award
The Weeknd — ‘Earned It’ (From the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack) (Winner)
Avery Sunshine — ‘Call My Name’
Jazmine Sullivan feat. Meek Mill — ‘Dumb’
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars — ‘Uptown Funk’
Sam Smith feat. Mary J. Blige — ‘Stay With Me’
Best New Artist
Sam Smith (Winner)
Bobby Shmurda
DeJ Loaf
Fetty Wap
Rae Sremmurd
Tinashe
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Nicki Minaj (Winner)
Azealia Banks
DeJ Loaf
Iggy Azalea
Tink
Trina
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
Kendrick Lamar (Winner)
Big Sean
Common
Drake
J. Cole
Wale
Best Group
Rae Sremmurd (Winner)
A$AP Mob
Jodeci
Migos
Rich Gang
Young Money
Best Collaboration
Common & John Legend – “Glory” (From the motion picture Selma) (Winner)
August Alsina feat. Nicki Minaj – ‘No Love (Remix)’
Big Sean Feat. E-40 – “’DFWU’
Chris Brown Feat. Lil Wayne and Tyga – ‘Loyal’
Chris Brown Feat. Usher and Rick Ross – ‘New Flame’
Mark Ronson Feat. Bruno Maros – ‘Uptown Funk’
Video of the Year
Beyoncé – ‘7/11’ (Winner)
Big Sean feat. E-40 – ‘IDFWU’
Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne and Tyga – ‘Loyal’
Chris Brown feat. Usher and Rick Ross – ‘New Flame’
Common & John Legend – ‘Glory’ (From the motion picture Selma)
Nicki Minaj – ‘Anaconda’
Video Director of the Year
Beyoncé, Ed Burke, & Todd Tourso (Winner)
Chris Robinson
Fatima Robinson
Hype Williams
Benny Boom
Best Gospel Artist
Lecrae (Winner)
Deitrick Haddon
Erica Campbell
Fred Hammond
Mali Music
Michelle Williams
Best International Act: U.K.
Stormzy (Winner)
FKA Twigs
Fuse ODG
Lethal Bizzle
Little Simz
Mnek
Best Actress
Taraji P. Henson (Winner)
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington
Tracee Ellis Ross
Viola Davis
Best Actor
Terrence Howard (Winner)
Anthony Anderson
Idris Elba
Jussie Smollett
Kevin Hart
Youngstars Award
Mo’ne Davis (Winner)
Jacob Latimore
Jaden Smith
Quevenzhané Wallis
Zendaya
Best Movie
Selma (Winner)
Annie
Beyond the Lights
Think Like a Man Too
Top Five
Sportswoman of the Year
Serena Williams (Winner)
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Skylar Diggins
Venus Williams
Sportsman of the Year
Stephen Curry (Winner)
Chris Paul
Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Lebron James
Marshawn Lynch
Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
Nicki Minaj – ‘Only feat. Drake, Lil Wayne & Chris Brown’(Winner)Beyoncé – ‘7/11’
Dej Loaf – ‘Try Me’
Kendrick Lamar – ‘i’
Rae Sremmurd – ‘Throw Sum Mo’ feat. Nicki Minaj & Young Thug
The Weeknd – ‘Earned It’