BET Awards 2021

6.28.21

BET Awards 2021 6.27.21

The BET Awards took place last night, and there is just so much to talk about beyond just who won in each category. From the outfits, to the tributes, performances, and even a pregnancy announcement, this was a night to remember for hip-hop.

Once the show started around 8PM EST, the Migos were amongst the first performers of the night. Of course they were to perform some of their latest works from their new album Culture III, including Type Sh** with Cardi B. Cardi ran out on stage to perform her verse, with the ultimate announcement. She wore a crystal and rhinestone jumpsuits, with a mesh circle covering her baby bump, highlighting for the world to see. Now that, is how you do a baby announcement. Cardi B is expecting her second child with Offset, and they both seemed thrilled to make Kulture a big sister.

Tyler, the Creator performed for his first time on the BET stage. Of course, he performed Lumberjack from his recently released album, Call Me If You Get Lost. The performance and the entire set up was fantastic. Similar to some of the artwork Tyler has shared, he pulled up in a blue old school car, with a driver letting him out saying “okay, call me if you get lost.” Tyler begins performing, as he hops out of the car with his hat and suitcase seen in the artwork. He is facing a storm as he is performing, just trying to get to his ultimate location. I thought it was one of the most well done performances I have seen at one of these types of shows.

To honor the late DMX, Swizz Beatz, The Lox, Method Man, Griselda, Track, Michael K Williams, Lil Buck and Busta Rhymes all came and performed. Some recited more of his poetic bars, Griselda performed one of their songs, then transitioned into a DMX tribute. Eventually, Busta, Swizz, Method Man and The Lox performed his two most popular hits. Some of the fans were pictured crying. Others really embracing the anthems by dancing in pure happiness, specifically Fat Joe and Lil Nas X. It was a great tribute.

Monie Love, Rapsody, MC Lyt and Lil Kim performed a tribute for Queen Latifah to honor her for her Lifetime Achievement Award. Lil Kim wore a bunch of Prada bags that she somehow turned into an outfit. She looked like giant Prada marshmallow, but overall, I love the performance as well.

DJ Khaled represented his latest album, Khaled Khaled, including performances with Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Megan Thee Stallion, H.E.R and DaBaby. Lil Baby could barely hold in his laughter while he was trying to sing and DJ Khaled kept pumping him up right in his face. I am not sure if that actually tripped up Durk, or if it was just a lot of cussing that he was trying to edit out himself, but his performance was just okay. Megan walked down some stairs and left for her verse. DaBaby came out and crushed everyone with his energy, pink sneakers and flamingo matching shirt and bucket hat. Another really great showing overall.

When it came to fashion, of course everyone looked their best. But, did anyone notice Zendaya and Saweetie were almost wearing the same thing!? It was not exactly the same, but they each had some drapey purple fabric on that turned into a dress. I’ll expect to see a who wore it better Shade Room later today.

When it comes to awards, there were plenty to go around. With four trophies, Megan Thee Stallion was the winner of the night, as I am sure we all would have guessed it we could have put money on it. Here is a list of the categories, nominees and winners.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

AFTER HOURS - THE WEEKND

BLAME IT ON BABY - DABABY

GOOD NEWS - MEGAN THEE STALLION

HEAUX TALES - JAZMINE SULLIVAN

KING’S DISEASE - NAS

UNGODLY HOUR - CHLOE X HALLE

BEST COLLABORATION

CARDI B FT. MEGAN THEE STALLION - WAP

DABABY FT. RODDY RICCH - ROCKSTAR

DJ KHALED FT. DRAKE - POPSTAR

JACK HARLOW FT. DABABY, TORY LANEZ & LIL WAYNE - WHATS POPPIN (REMIX)

MEGAN THEE STALLION FT. DABABY - CRY BABY

POP SMOKE FT. LIL BABY & DABABY - FOR THE NIGHT

BEST FEMALE R&B / POP ARTIST

BEYONCÉ

H.E.R.

JAZMINE SULLIVAN

JHENÉ AIKO

SUMMER WALKER

SZA

BEST MALE R&B / POP ARTIST

6LACK

ANDERSON .PAAK

CHRIS BROWN

GIVEON

TANK

THE WEEKND

BEST NEW ARTIST

COI LERAY

FLO MILLI

GIVEON

JACK HARLOW

LATTO

POOH SHIESTY

BEST GROUP

21 SAVAGE & METRO BOOMIN

CHLOE X HALLE

CHRIS BROWN & YOUNG THUG

CITY GIRLS

MIGOS

BRUNO MARS, ANDERSON .PAAK, SILK SONIC

BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST

CARDI B

COI LERAY

DOJA CAT

MEGAN THEE STALLION

LATTO

SAWEETIE

BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST

DABABY

DRAKE

J. COLE

JACK HARLOW

LIL BABY

POP SMOKE

DR. BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD

BEBE WINANS - IN JESUS NAME

CECE WINANS - NEVER LOST

H.E.R. - HOLD US TOGETHER

KIRK FRANKLIN - STRONG GOD

MARVIN SAPP - THANK YOU FOR IT ALL

TAMELA MANN – TOUCH FROM YOU

BET HER AWARD

ALICIA KEYS FT. KHALID - SO DONE

BRANDY FT. CHANCE THE RAPPER - BABY MAMA

BRI STEVES - ANTI QUEEN

CHLOE X HALLE - BABY GIRL

CIARA FT. ESTER DEAN - ROOTED

SZA - GOOD DAYS

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT

AYA NAKAMURA (FRANCE)

BURNA BOY (NIGERIA)

DIAMOND PLATNUMZ (TANZANIA)

EMICIDA (BRAZIL)

HEADIE ONE (UK)

WIZKID (NIGERIA)

YOUNG T & BUGSEY (UK)

YOUSSOUPHA (FRANCE)

VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD

CARDI B FT. MEGAN THEE STALLION - WAP

CHRIS BROWN & YOUNG THUG - GO CRAZY

DABABY FT. RODDY RICCH - ROCKSTAR

DJ KHALED FT. DRAKE - POPSTAR

DRAKE FT. LIL DURK - LAUGH NOW CRY LATER

LIL BABY - THE BIGGER PICTURE

MEGAN THEE STALLION FT. BEYONCÉ - SAVAGE (REMIX)

SILK SONIC - LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN      

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

CARDI B - UP

CARDI B FT. MEGAN THEE STALLION - WAP

CHLOE X HALLE - DO IT

CHRIS BROWN & YOUNG THUG - GO CRAZY

DRAKE FT. LIL DURK - LAUGH NOW CRY LATER

SILK SONIC - LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

BENNY BOOM

BRUNO MARS AND FLORENT DÉCHARD

COLE BENNETT

COLIN TILLEY

DAVE MEYERS

HYPE WILLIAMS

BEST MOVIE

COMING 2 AMERICA

JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH

MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM

ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI…

SOUL

THE UNITED STATES VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY

BEST ACTRESS

ANDRA DAY

ANGELA BASSETT

ISSA RAE

JURNEE SMOLLETT

VIOLA DAVIS

ZENDAYA

BEST ACTOR

ALDIS HODGE

CHADWICK BOSEMAN

DAMSON IDRIS

DANIEL KALUUYA

EDDIE MURPHY

LAKEITH STANFIELD

YOUNGSTARS AWARD

ALEX R. HIBBERT

ETHAN HUTCHISON

LONNIE CHAVIS

MARSAI MARTIN

MICHAEL EPPS

STORM REID

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

A'JA WILSON

CANDACE PARKER

CLARESSA SHIELDS

NAOMI OSAKA

SERENA WILLIAMS

SKYLAR DIGGINS-SMITH

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

KYRIE IRVING

LEBRON JAMES

PATRICK MAHOMES

RUSSELL WESTBROOK

RUSSELL WILSON

STEPHEN CURRY

VIEWER'S CHOICE: BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT

ARLO PARKS (UK)

BRAMSITO  (FRANCE)

BREE RUNWAY (UK)

ELAINE (SOUTH AFRICA)

MC DRICKA (BRAZIL)

RONISIA (FRANCE)

TEMS (NIGERIA)