BET Awards Winners

6.29.20

BET Awards 2020 Aired 6.28.20

This year’s BET Awards was like no other, but a fun, successful night nonetheless. Amanda Seales hosted the event sporting a new outfit with different virtual background setting each time we got to see her. Many artists dialed in to the announce the winners of each award. Performances used crazy displays from all virtual backgrounds, a magical forrest from one’s living room, or a gigantic build out in the desert made to feel like we were at Coachella. While we cannot be celebrating together, BET did an amazing job still making this year’s show super entertaining.

A few weeks back, I shared a review of the nominees and who I predicted to win each category. Let us now take a look back at the winners, and compare them to my predictions. At the beginning of the night, I was on a roll. Then, I ended up only getting 9 out of 21. But I’ll share where I can admit to being wrong, or think that the voters missed somewhere.

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
H.E.R.
Jhene Aiko
Kehlani
Lizzo
Summer Walker

For the SoUle Prediction: Lizzo

Winner: Lizzo

Lizzo has absolutely deserved this one. She has had an incredible year, and during times like these as the world fights for equality, we need more people like her who use their platform to constantly be spreading awareness and doing all she can to help. Lizzo mentioned that she was nominated for a few BET Awards last year, and though she did not win any, she still felt like a winner for being there. Finally, Lizzo takes home the hardware.

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Anderson .Paak
Chris Brown
Jacquees
Khalid
The Weeknd
Usher

For the SoUle Prediction: The Weeknd

Winner: Chris Brown

I got this one wrong, but I am completely happy with the outcome. I figured coming off of The Weeknd’s latest album, he’d take this one. Though, that Chris Brown and Drake song has got to be on every playlist there is. Also, as we are in a crazy ‘Deluxe Album’ trend where everyone in the game is dropping deluxe albums, let’s not forget where this all began. Chris Brown has been dropping forty song tapes for years like it is normal. The hustle is real. Super crazy that we kinda grew up with Chris Brown. It feels like it has been decades, but he still takes home the win, holding it down for what is left of R&B.

Best Group
Chloe x Halle
City Girls
EarthGang
Griselda
JACKBOYS
Migos

For the SoUle Prediction: Griselda

Winner: Migos

Migos takes home the win for ‘Best Group’ for the third year in a row. Are you not bored yet? How can these guys keep winning, when Culture II and Culture III were awful? They’ve been doing their thing again on quite a few features, but I was not expecting them to make it this far, especially after everyone’s solo albums released.

Griselda just deserved this one. No one in hip-hop sounds like this anymore. They’re are bringing back real hip-hop, they’re getting their names out there, working on big collabs, they are doing everything right. I am shocked they did not win this one. Though I’m sure they were happy to be recognized in this field, this is a miss by BET.

Best Collaboration
Chris Brown Ft. Drake, "No Guidance"
DJ Khaled ft. Nipsey Hussle & John Legend, "Higher"
Future ft. Drake, "Life Is Good"
H.E.R. ft. YG, "Slide"
Megan Thee Stallion ft. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign, "Hot Girl Summer"
Wale ft. Jeremih, "On Chill"

For the SoUle Prediction: DJ Khaled ft. Nipsey Hussle & John Legend, "Higher"

Winner: Chris Brown Ft. Drake, "No Guidance"

Interesting. I picked Nipsey for the best collaboration, because of his preachful meaning behinds his lyrics, and the gospel tendencies of John Legend’s vocals. They sounded incredible together, and DJ Khaled seemingly always finds a way to find two opposites and make them a huge hit. As you’ll see later, they won a different category for this song. Still, I think the collaboration here was really remarkable.

Of course, Chris Brown and Drake is still a fantastic duo. It is a bit funny that during the music video, there is a lot of audio breaks, and the two talk about how light skin guys need to stick together. They go from battling with each other in the video, to seemingly becoming friends-or at least Drake attempting to squash their beef. Similarly to how we’ve had Chris Brown for the past two decades, we’ve had Drake just as long. These guys together could never put out a bad song. Definitely a great collaboration overall.

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
DaBaby
Drake
Future
Lil Baby
Roddy Ricch
Travis Scott

For the SoUle Prediction: Lil Baby

Winner: Roddy Ricch

This was one of the toughest ones. I will not say they got it wrong, but really think about it. Lil Baby has been headlining daily. He is getting on songs with everyone, he put out an album and a deluxe back to back, people are comparing him to “The New Lil Wayne,” Walmart is selling imitations of his chain, all while he continues to find ways to build his empire.

Roddy Ricch is really incredible. The Box sat number one on Billboard charts for eleven weeks. I did have him winning the most BET Awards. With this one in particular, why I will stick with Lil Baby as the best male hip hop artist, is the consistency. We have new Lil Baby every week and sometimes in between. Roddy’s album had zero skips on it, but other than his DaBaby feature, I’ve been missing him since. I know he’ll come back with some more heat, but that’s where this one misses in my book.

Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi B
Doja Cat
Lizzo
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Saweetie

For the SoUle Prediction: Megan Thee Stallion

Winner: Megan Thee Stallion

Everyone is just on the Megan bandwagon right now. The other ladies are all fabulous, but right now, we are in the age of Megan Thee Stallion. She also had an absolutely killer performance at the awards show.

Video of the Year
Chris Brown Ft. Drake, "No Guidance"
DaBaby, "Bop"
DJ Khaled ft. Nipsey Hussle & John Legend, "Higher"
Doja Cat, "Say So"
Megan Thee Stallion ft. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign, "Hot Girl Summer"
Roddy Ricch, "The Box"

For the SoUle Prediction: DaBaby, "Bop"

Winner: DJ Khaled ft. Nipsey Hussle & John Legend, "Higher"

I chose the Bop video, because of how iconic that dance is. Everyone in the world loves doing that dance. You simply cannot listen to the song, and not begin to do this dance. DaBaby brings out legendary dance group, the Jabbawockeez, and there were quite some talented female dancers in the video, as well.

DJ Khaled, Nipsey Hussle and John Legend take this award, however, and I am not hating at all. It is absolutely crazy to see such an angelic video was created with Nipsey behind the camera, to be released about a week after he was taken from us. These guys together put out a song that sounds good, should make us feel good, and the visuals behind it were very nice and felt comforting to watch no matter what you may be going through. This one is for Nipsey, congratulations.

Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Cole Bennett
Dave Meyers
Director X
Eif Rivera
Teyana "Spike Tee" Taylor

For the SoUle Prediction: Cole Bennett

Winner: Teyana "Spike Tee" Taylor

I spoke to Teyana being the runner up in my predictions. However, I feel like this is the one category that I missed, where hip-hop totally voted on this one. I feel like the mainstream kids that chose Migos to win best rap group again, they would be the ones to vote for Cole Bennett. Cole is a God to the new kids. He makes videos for all the Soundcloud rappers, whether it is eerie, strange, risky or downright wrong. He is incredible with the camera, but definitely for a younger crowd.

How can you not support Teyana Taylor and all her incredible work she’s released? Dancing, choreography, singing, directing, producing, being a mother? She is absolutely an incredible woman, and definitely deserved to take this win. Congrats on the win, and the announcement of your new baby.

Best New Artist
DaniLeigh
Lil Nas X
Pop Smoke
Roddy Ricch
Summer Walker
YBN Cordae

For the SoUle Prediction: Pop Smoke

Winner: Roddy Ricch

Originally I chose Pop Smoke. I felt he was top of mind, everyone was rallying behind him after he was taken from us, and we are all anxiously awaiting on his album to release next Friday. Though, Roddy Ricch takes home another award, and it does not go underserved. Roddy has had some incredible features, a great album, and has presented himself quite mature and eager to learn when he appears in the eyes of the public. He has shown the world that he is here to stay, which is something that I believe holds important for someone taking home a “Best New Artist” award.

Album of the Year
Cuz I Love You, Lizzo
Fever, Megan Thee Stallion
Homecoming: The Live Album, Beyoncé
I Used to Know Her, H.E.R.
Kirk, DaBaby
Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial, Roddy Ricch

For the SoUle Prediction: Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial, Roddy Ricch

Winner: Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial, Roddy Ricch

This is what I wanted Roddy to win all along. Going home with several awards has got to be a great feeling, but this one, this one is the most special. Who wins Best New Artist AND Album of the Year? Roddy’s album can be played all the way through on repeat, with no skips. That just does not seem to happen nowadays. Roddy has been grinding for the past year and a half, and I am sure we’ll be seeing much more from him in the future.

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational
Fred Hammond, "Alright"
John P. Kee ft. Zacardi Cortez, "I Made It Out"
Kanye West, "Follow God"
Kirk Franklin, "Just for Me"
PJ Morton ft. Le'Andria Johnson & Mary Mary, "All In His Pain"
The Clark Sisters, "Victory"

For the SoUle Prediction: Kanye West, "Follow God"

Winner: Kirk Franklin, "Just for Me"

Ouch. This one had to hurt, Ye.

Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Cynthia Erivo
Issa Rae
Regina King
Tracee Ellis Ross
Zendaya

For the SoUle Prediction: Zendaya

Winner: Issa Rae

Would have been my runner up choice. Cannot be mad.

Best Actor
Billy Porter
Eddie Murphy
Forest Whitaker
Jamie Foxx
Michael B. Jordan
Omari Hardwick

For the SoUle Prediction: Michael B. Jordan

Winner: Michael B. Jordan

Duhh.

Young Stars Award
Alex Hibbert
Asante Blackk
Jahi Di'Allo Winston
Marsai Martin
Miles Brown
Storm Reid

For the SoUle Prediction: Marsai Martin

Winner: Marsai Martin

Too cute to go any other way. Did you see her video she posted after people were making fun of her hair? I really thought you guys hurt her, then she blows her nose with a one-hundred dollar bill. I cannot. A true queen.

Best Movie
Bad Boys for Life
Dolemite Is My Name
Harriet
Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé
Just Mercy
Queen & Slim

For the SoUle Prediction: Queen & Slim

Winner: Queen & Slim

A clear cut winner. I’ll just repeat what I said the first time. Queen & Slim takes this one. It just empowers us all during the tragic events that have taken place recently. We need to ride for each other, and this movie has got to be the one.

Sportswoman of the Year
Ajeé Wilson
Claressa Shields
Coco Gauff
Naomi Osaka
Serena Williams
Simone Biles

For the SoUle Prediction: Naomi Osaka

Winner: Simone Biles

I am definitely surprised that Naomi did not take this one, after being awarded the highest paid female athlete of all time, at such a young age. However, that is no discredit to any of these woman. Simone is a gymnast who comes in third overall of most medals of all time. Congrats, girl.

Sportsman of the Year
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Kawhi Leonard
LeBron James
Odell Beckham Jr.
Patrick Mahomes II
Stephen Curry

For the SoUle Prediction: Lebron James

Winner: Lebron James

The man continues to do more than be just a basketball player. He continues to give back to his community, and do his best to help others. It has been mentioned he is one of the leaders in the NBA Players movement to use the jerseys in Orlando to share the names of organizations we may donate to in support of the Black Lives Matter movements, rather than shouting out their own names.

BET HER Award
Alicia Keys, "Underdog"
Beyoncé ft. Blue Ivy, WizKid & Saint Jhn, "Brown Skin Girl"
Ciara ft. Lupita Nyong'o, Ester Dean, City Girls & La La, "Melanin"
Layton Greene, "I Choose"
Lizzo ft. Missy Elliott, "Tempo"
Rapsody ft. PJ Morgan, "Afeni"

For the SoUle Prediction: Lizzo

Winner: Beyoncé

I think this award meant a bit more than I had read it for originally. Of course we choose Beyoncé to hold it down for females everywhere.

Viewer's Choice Award
Chris Brown Ft. Drake, "No Guidance"
DaBaby, "Bop"
Future ft. Drake, "Life Is Good"
Megan Thee Stallion ft. Nicki Minaj, "Hot Girl Summer"
Roddy Ricch, "The Box"
The Weeknd, "Heartless"

For the SoUle Prediction: DaBaby, "Bop"

Winner: Megan Thee Stallion ft. Nicki Minaj, "Hot Girl Summer"

I think the Bop is a lot more likely to have people join in on the fun, realistically. However, everyone wants to have themselves a Hot Girl Summer, so I suppose this one does make sense.

Best International Act
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Innoss'B (DRC)
Sho Madjozi (S. Africa)
Dave (U.K.)
Stormzy (U.K.)
Ninho (France)
S.Pri Noir (France)

For the SoUle Prediction: Burna Boy

Winner: Burna Boy

An international act that is well respected all over. It had to be Burna Boy, as he takes home for the second year in a row.

Viewer's Choice: Best New International Act
Rema (Nigeria)
SHA SHA (Zimbabwe)
Celeste (U.K.)
Young T & Bugsey (U.K.)
Hatik (France)
Stacy (France)

For the SoUle Prediction: SHA SHA

Winner: SHA SHA

Her music is just light and peaceful. A bit of a different sound than we may be used to, but it just feels nice. Excellent vote.