Sunday night's BET Awards was not a break from the world's problems of Covoid-19 and police murders more than it was an inspiration in entertainment encouraging us to continue the fight.
The show aired for the first time on CBS one part due to CBS also being a Viacom station along with BET and two, was a genius way to increase viewership especially those the non-black viewing audience. The BET Awards this year was all virtual due to Covoid-19 with host Amanda Seals broadcasting from their house as well as the award recipients. The show it an amazing start with a powerful remake of Fight the power with Public Enemy, Nas, and Black Thought from the Roots.
The entire theme of the show was Black Lives Matter. Everything from the commercial breaks to the music to the powerful messages in between made this one of the best award shows ever. While this was an "awards show", the atmosphere seemed more like an entertaining look at black culture. Even some of the entertainment had powerful messages.
Rapper DaBaby performed his song, Rockstar featuring Roddy Rich which depicted him with a knee on his neck like George Floyd. This was one of many performances that had powerful messages throughout the night
Celebrities read names of those who lost their lives in the hands of police. There were so many messages not just for African-Americans but for our Caucasian allies as well. This time everyone is called upon to fight for justice.
Lil' Wayne did a beautiful dedication to Kobe Bryant with his song called Kobe Bryant which he written in 2009.
This was also forty years of BET with a lot of history in which former VJ and personality Donnie Simpson. There were flashbacks of shows from Teen Summit to Video Soul, to Bobby Jones' Gospel. However at the end of the day, this is an awards show. Here are a list of last night's 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”