Did You Miss The BET Awards?

The BET Awards have been around since 2001, showing us black excellence at all angles. It is the most popular award show in the black community. We all thought since COVID-19 came and put the world on pause, then there would be no BET awards. We were wrong; the coronavirus did not stop our melanin from shining last night, as BET had its first-ever virtual award show. Comedian and actress, Amanda Seales hosted the 20th BET awards. Seales started the show off with a beautiful and powerful monologue calling out racial injustice. The award show highlighted the Black Lives Matter movement beautifully. Performers ranged from Lil Wayne, Alicia Keys, and Usher to Megan Thee Stallion, DaBaby, and Chloe X Halle. 

In my opinion, one of the best performances was from DaBaby and Roddy Rich. In a portion of the performance, DaBaby assumed the position George Floyd was in when he was killed by a police officer. That was something I didn’t expect to see from him. It was raw, real, emotional, and staggering. Not only did their performance focus on the BLM movement, but nearly every performance incorporated the movement into their performance. 

This year’s BET Awards was definitely one of the best ones and left me genuinely surprised about a few people. Speaking of surprises, Wayne Brady of all people paid tribute to Little Richard. Now, no shade, but when I think of Wayne Brady, TV show host and things of that nature pop in my head. I don’t think of him being a singer or musical performer. After last night, I was proven wrong. He did really well, and I wasn’t mad at it. D Smoke and SIR, I have never heard of, but their performance was fantastic. 

 Lil Wayne did a tribute to Kobe Bryant, the late NBA player who passed away earlier this year along with his daughter. During his performance, he rapped about the pandemic, the Black Lives Matter protests, and Bryant’s death. I am most definitely a part of the beehive, so I cannot end this little recap without mentioning the queen herself. Beyonce Knowles-Carter won the humanitarian award last night. She was given the award by the forever first lady, Michelle Obama. During her acceptance speech, she emphasized how important voting is and how our lives depended on it, and I have to agree with her. As black people, we need to make sure our voices are heard. We need them to be heard now, more than ever before. This year’s BET awards left me feeling good about our people and our excellence. We are still running the game and will forever continue to do so. Our culture cannot and will not be cancelled.

Christina Woodard, Magazine Manager at SwagHer

Instagram: @cstina.nicole

 

WINNERS

Album of the Year

Roddy Ricch – Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

Lizzo

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

Chris Brown

Best Group

Migos

Best Collaboration

Chris Brown [Ft. Drake] – “No Guidance”

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist

Megan Thee Stallion

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist

DaBaby

Video of the Year

DJ Khaled [Ft. Nipsey Hussle, John Legend] – “Higher”

Video Director of the Year

Teyana “Spike Tee” Taylor

Best New Artist

Roddy Ricch

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award

Kirk Franklin – “Just for Me”

Best International Act

Burna Boy

Best New International Act

Sha Sha

Best Actress

Issa Rae

Best Actor

Michael B. Jordan

Young Stars Award

Marsai Martin

Best Movie

Queen & Slim

Sportswoman of the Year

Simone Biles

Sportsman of the Year

LeBron James

2020 Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award

Megan Thee Stallion [Ft. Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign] – “Hot Girl Summer”

BET Her Award

Beyonce [Ft. Blue Ivy Carter, Wizkid and Saint Jhn] – “Brown Skin Girl”