The 2015 BET Awards Recap
At Least My Version of Events Anyway. This year's BET Awards was actually better than I expected. The show's hosts, Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson were the perfect tag team. The Black-ish stars kept the jokes and the skits coming, my favorite being the opening where the two sang a hilarious duet which paid homage to black pop-culture.
BBHMM. Although Rihanna didn't perform musically , she didn't fail to give a little "show" of her own. Throughout the entire awards show, the camera man constantly caught shots of Rihanna dancing and singing along to almost all of the performances , we also got a shot of something that I don't think we were supposed to see. Right before the Pour it Up singer hit the stage we saw her getting into what looks like a small argument with BET's President of Programming, Stephen Hill , before throwing a stack of cash in his face and proceeding to the stage.The little incident was said to be the result of Rihanna wanting to throw money in the audience, but Hill objected.. In any case, Rih Rih was clearly there with one mission: to promote the video for her hit, Bitch Better Have My Money, BBHMM. Although it was just a teaser, it certainly got me anticipating its release on Thursday, July 2.
It's Bad Boy Bxtch. Another show highlight was the Bad Boy performance! I think everybody in the building was up on their feet dancing to all of their favorite 90's hits. Diddy brought out some of Bad Boy greats including: Ma$e, Lil Kim, Faith and a couple other members.
via CHRISTOPHER POLK/BET/GETTY IMAGES FOR BET
Diddy got it started with Biggie's “Hypnotize”. Then Ma$e stormed the stage with “Feel So Good,” followed by 112's “Peaches and Cream.” It was turned up even more when Faith Evans sang “Never Knew Love Like This Before.”
Diddy Hints at Possible Bad Boy Tour Coming to A City Near You
Diddy then brought it back again when he rapped “It’s All About The Benjamins” with Lil’ Kim, which took the performance from 0-100 real quick! Lil’ Kim got on stage and the entire audience exploded! I was waiting for the cameras to cut to Nicki Minaj, but that would have been too shady and would have taken away from the performance, so I digress.
An embarrassing moment that was overlooked by a lot of viewers was the part when DIddy took a tumble. While working the stage, he fell through the stage's trap door, but quickly recovered and went right back to performing. As you all might have guessed, social media wasn't letting him get off that easy, Twitter and Instagram exploded with memes and gifs of the dancing-rapper's spill.
Nicki Minaj Forgets Which Award She Won At the BET Awards
Motown's Finest. After bringing down the house with his nostalgic performance, Diddy presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Smokey Robinson who got on stage and delivered a powerful acceptance speech which mainly focused on today's artists and their egos. He spoke on humility, his fans and the state of music as an art in general. Of course no BET Award ceremony is complete without some sort of tribute performance: Enter Ne-Yo, newcomer, Tori Kelly and Robin Thicke.
Rhythm Nation. Another major moment of the night was the Janet Jackson Tribute. Ms. Jackson was presented with the Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual Award. Stars including Tinashe, Jason Derulo and Ciara all broke out some Janet-inspired dance moves for the Rhythm Nation Queen. Janet came out and accepted the award and looked flawless doing it! Some people were a little disappointed when Ms. Jackson didn't perform, but I'd like to think she was saving up that energy for her upcoming nationwide tour.
via MARK DAVIS/GETTY IMAGES
Empire Season 1 and a half. The cast of FOX's hit show Empire performed some of the show's biggest hits including, "Drip Drop" and "You're so Beautiful." From Lucious Lyon , I mean Terrence Howard to Hakeem, all the actors seemed to stay in character throughout their performances, Im just gonna assume that they were preparing for the show's season 2 which premiere's in September.
BET Awards Winners:
Best New Artist
Sam Smith (WINNER)
Dej Loaf
Fetty Wap
Rae Sremmurd
Tinashe
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
Kendrick Lamar (WINNER)
J. Cole
Drake
Common
Big Sean
Wale
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Nicki Minaj (WINNER)
Azealia Banks
Tink
Iggy Azalea
Trina
Dej Loaf
Best Actor
Terrence Howard (WINNER)
Anthony Anderson
Idris Elba
Jussie Smollett
Kevin Hart
Centric Award
The Weeknd – “Earned It” (WINNER)
Avery Sunshine – “Call My Name”
Jazmine Sullivan – “Dumb (feat. Meek Mill)”
Mark Ronson – “Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)”
Sam Smith – “Stay with Me (feat. Mary J. Blige)”
Humanitarian Award
Tom Joyner
Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual Award
Janet Jackson
Fandemonium Award
Chris Brown
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé (WINNER)
Janelle Monáe
Jhené Aiko
Ciara
Rihanna
K. Michelle
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Chris Brown (WINNER)
The Weeknd
John Legend
Trey Songz
Usher
August Alsina
Best Group
Rae Sremmurd (WINNER)
A$AP Mob
Migos
Rich Gang
Young Money
Jodeci
Best Collaboration
Common & John Legend – “Glory” (WINNER)
Chris Brown – “Loyal (feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga)”
Big Sean – “I Don’t F**k with You (feat. E-40)”
August Alsina – “No Love (Remix) [feat. Nicki Minaj]”
Chris Brown – “New Flame (feat. Usher & Rick Ross)”
Mark Ronson – “Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)”
Best Actress
Taraji P. Henson (WINNER)
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington
Tracee Ellis Ross
Viola Davis
YoungStars Award
Mo’Ne Davis (WINNER)
Jacob Latimore
Jaden Smith
Quevenzhané Wallis
Zendaya
Best Movie
Selma (WINNER)
Annie
Beyond the Lights
Think Like a Man Too
Top Five
Best Gospel Artist
Lecrae (WINNER)
Deitrick Haddon
Erica Campbell
Fred Hammond
Mali Music
Michelle Williams
Video of the Year
Beyoncé – “7/11″ (WINNER)
Chris Brown – “New Flame (feat. Usher & Rick Ross)”
Chris Brown – “Loyal (feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga)”
Big Sean – “I Don’t F**k with You (feat. E-40)”
Nicki Minaj – “Anaconda”
Common & John Legend – “Glory”
Video Director of the Year
Beyoncé, Ed Burke & Todd Tourso (WINNER)
Benny Boom
Chris Robinson
Fatima Robinson
Hype Williams
Sportswoman of the Year
Serena Williams (WINNER)
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Skylar Diggins
Venus Williams
Sportsman of the Year
Stephen Curry (WINNER)
Chris Paul
Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Lebron James
Marshawn Lynch
Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
Nicki Minaj – “Only feat. Drake, Lil Wayne & Chris Brown)” (WINNER)
Beyoncé – “7/11″
Dej Loaf – “Try Me”
Kendrick Lamar – “i”
Rae Sremmurd – “Throw Sum Mo (feat. Nicki Minaj & Young Thug)”
The Weeknd – “Earned It”
Best International Act: Africa
Stonebwoy (Ghana)
Best International Act: UK
Stormzy
