The 2016 BET Awards aired last night and was definitely one of the best award shows I have seen in years. The BET Awards was established in 2001 to highlight the achievements of African Americans and minorities. Anthony Anderson & Tracee Ellis Ross hosted this year’s awards show and they are definitley a funny duo especially if you tune into ABC’s Blackish. Here are some of the highlights of the night.
Beyoncé opened up the show with a performance of Freedom from her Formation Tour. If the water works weren’t enough Kendrick Lamar rose from the ground to give us the BET Awards Remix. This was a great way to open the show. View here
Of course there could be no BET Awards show without a tribute to the legendary Prince. “Bilal, The Roots and Erykah Badu’s emotional tribute to Prince is 100 percent unforgettable” BET.com. View Here
The most talked about speeches of the night was Jesse Williams Humanitarian award acceptance speech. Jesse is best known for his role as Dr. Jackson Avery on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy but he is so much more than just an actor. Jesse was born in Chicago and began his adult life as a teacher in Philadelphia Public Schools. He began studying acting in 2005 and was chosen to participate in the New York Actors Showcase presented by ABC Television. In his speech he says “Just because we’re magic doesn’t mean we’re not real” as he brings awareness to police brutality and the suppression of African Americans. View full speech here.
The list of all the winners are below.
- Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice – Beyoncé – Formation
- Best Group – Drake & Future
- Best Collaboration – Rihanna Featuring Drake – Work
- Best Male Hip Hop Artist – Drake
- Best Female Hip Hop Artist – Nicki Minaj
- Video of the Year – Beyoncé – Formation
- Video Director of the Year – Director X
- Best New Artist – Bryson Tiller
- Best Gospel Award – Kirk Franklin
- Best Actress – Taraji P. Henson
- Best Actor – Michael B. Jordan
- Youngstars Award – Amandla Stenberg
- Best Movie – Straight Outta Compton
- Sportswoman of the Year Award – Serena Williams
- Sportsman of the Year Award – Stephen Curry
- Centric Award – Beyoncé – Formation
- Best International Act: UK – Skepta
- Best International Act: Africa – Black Coffee
- Best Female R&B/Pop Artist – Beyoncé
- Best Male R&B/Pop Artist – Bryson Tiller
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Samuel L. Jackson
