Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar opened the 2016 BET Awards on Sunday, June 26, with a powerful performance of her song “Freedom.”
A barefoot Beyoncé rocked a black patterned leotard as she strutted through the water with her female dancers while belting the liberating tune from her latest visual album, Lemonade.
“Freedom, freedom! Where are you? ‘Cause I need freedom too,” she chanted. “I break chains all by myself / Won’t let my freedom rot in hell / Imma keep running ‘cause a winner don’t quit on themselves.”
During the final verse of the powerful song, Lamar, 29, took the stage and wowed the audience with his powerful presence and politically charged message as Queen Bey and her crew got soaked with water.
It was a strong kickoff to this year’s show, and a statement from both artists for the world to see.
Full Performance can be watched here.