Jada Daniel 
BET snapped this year y’all!!!
Around this time every June, we all look forward to watching the BET Awards, whether it flops or snaps, to see our favorite Black musicians, actors, and social influencers. Unlike last year, this year’s BET Awards was definitely to rival all of the others, as it entertained, inspired, and reminded each and every one of us how lit and great it is to be Black.
Even Billy Ray Cyrus had to slide to the awards show! You could tell that he studied for this moment that minute the night’s host Regina Hall said “H-U” and he responds with “You knowwww!!!!”
Here’s a rundown of the night’s winners:
Viewers Choice Award: Trip- Ella Mai
Viewers Choice Award International: ShoMadjozi
Humanitarian Award: Nipsey Hussle
Young Stars Award: Marsai Martin
Lifetime Achievement Award: Mary J. Blige
Ultimate Icon Award: Tyler Perry
Best Movie: Blackklansman
Best New Artist: Lil Baby
Best International Act: Burna Boy-Nigeria
Best Group: Migos
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/ Inspirational Artist: Snoop Dogg ft. Rance Allen “Blessing Me Again”
Album of The Year: Invasion of Privacy- Cardi B
Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Cardi B
*Megan, Nicki, and Kash Doll got snubbed
Best Male Hip Hop Artist: Nipsey Hussle
Best Collaboration: Travis Scott ft. Drake “Sicko Mode”
Best Female R&B/ Pop Artist: Beyonce
Best Male R&B/ Pop Artist: Bruno Mars
Video Director of The Year: Karena Evans
Video of the Year: Childish Gambino- “This Is America”
Best Actress: Regina King
Best Actor: Michael B. Jordan
Sportsman of the Year: Stephen Curry
Sportswoman of the Year: Serena Williams
BET HER: H.E.R- “Hard Place
As for the performances, the show kicked off with Offset and Cardi B performing “Clout” in which Cardi goes back to her roots and gives her husband Offset a lap dance. Don’t get me wrong, the performance was definitely lit, but isn’t sis supposed to be beating a court case? Now, Offset’s choreography was on point!
H.E.R. and YBN Cordae performed “Lord Is Coming,” but were first introduced by The Exonerated Five, formally known as The Central Park Five (Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Raymond Santana, Korey Wise and Yusef Salaam). Can I just say, the performance was chilling, moving, and amazing. However, the next performance, with DJ Mustard and Migos fell short from amazing and entertaining.
A few segments later, Da Baby makes his debut at the BET awards performing, “Suge.” Almost everyone was hitting The Woah. Later, Fantasia performed and she sanggg! Whew, pressure applied!
Luckily, Lizzo did what she had to do with her turnt performance of “Truth Hurts.” She even busted out the flute all while throwing it in a circle. The energy, authenticity, and the talent was unmatched. She snapped, she slayed, and she is definitely 100 percent that b**** and she doesn’t even need that DNA test. *See what I did there?
Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus showed up and showed out with their performance of “Old Town Road.” Let’s just say that Billy Ray Cyrus secured his permanent invitation to the family cookout, that is as long as he doesn’t bring Miley.
I must admit that I couldn’t wait to see our Good Sis Mary J Blige perform. After receiving her Lifetime Achievement Award, Auntie Mary performed her most popular and essential songs that defined Black culture. But when Lil Kim performed with Mary J on “I Can Love You” and Method Man came through on “You’re All I Need” the crowd went nuts!
Careesha, or Miami performed “Act Up” which was kinda dry, but we’ll give her a break seeing as half of City Girls is locked up. Following “Act Up,” Lil Baby performed “Close Friends,” putting everybody in their feelings until he rapped “Pure Cocaine.”
When Tyler Perry accepted his Ultimate Icon Award he schooled us all on what it means to own what you create. He also told us that we all should “try to help somebody cross.”
Towards the middle of the show, DJ Khaled, Lil Baby, Jeremih, and Meek Mill performed one of my favorite songs, “You Stay.” Then, Jacob Latimore presented the Viewers Choice Award to Ella Mai. As the feud between Jacquees is still brewing, Ella Mai threw shade saying, “Let the music do the talking.”
Reaching the end of the awards, Kirk Franklin, Erica Campbell, Kelly Price, and Jonathan McReynolds gave us the praise break we all needed this weekend, making everyone in that room catch the Holy Spirit.
Time was taken to remember all those who recently passed including Boys in the Hood director John Singleton. Next, BET commemorated the life, talent, and philanthropy of the late Nipsey Hussle. Marsha Ambrosia, YG, DJ Khaled, and John Legend performed and then his family spoke. Everything was beautiful up until Nipsey Hussle’s father told his mother “Just do your thing.”
Overall, the BET Awards this year definitely improved from last year. Regardless of how the awards are carried out and the drama, the BET Awards always seem to give us another reminder of why Black people are so amazing, and that’s exactly what this night was all about.
By Jada Daniel, Freshman, Beloit College
Twitter: @tgijadaaaa
