During the 2020 BET Awards last night (June 28th), Beyonce dedicated her Humanitarian Award to the Black Lives Matter protestors who are fighting for change. The singer was honored for the work she's done through her BeyGOOD Foundation. Former first lady Michelle Obama presented the singer with the award and highlighted the singer's work for her community.
She said,”She’s always turning up, looking out and making us all a little bit better, a little more fierce, and she’s doing it all while staying devoted to her children and the loved ones she holds dear. . . . You inspire me. You inspire all of us.”
During her speech, Beyonce said, “Thank you so much for this beautiful award. I want to dedicate this award to all my brothers and sisters out there, inspiring, marching and fighting for change. Your voices are being heard. You’re proving to your ancestors that their struggles were not in vain.”
She continued, “We have one more thing we have to do, and that is to vote. I’m encouraging you to continue to take action, continue to change and dismantle a racist and unequal system. We have to continue to do this together, to fight for each other and lift each other up. There are people banking on us staying a home during local elections and primaries. We have to vote like our life depends on it — because it does.”
Beyonce also won the BET HER Award for “Brown Skin Girl” featuring her daughter Blue Ivy.
BIG MOMENTS AND PERFORMANCES
Other big moments from the 2020 BET Awards, which was virtual for the first time ever, included the show's opening, which featured Keedron Bryant, the young man that went viral from his Instagram performance of his song “I Just Wanna Live” after George Floyd's death. After Bryant's performance, Nas, Black Thought, YG, Rapsody joined Public Enemy for a 2020 revamp of the 1989 claissic “Fight the Power.”
During her opening monologue, the outspoken Amanda Seales was quick to mention that the cops that fatally shot Breonna Taylor have not been arrested yet and she also threw a little shade at Terry Crews — who has been criticized for his recent comments about “black supremacy.” She said, “Terry Crews didn't show up. I'm not suprised.”
DaBaby teamed up with Roddy Ricch for a performance of “Rockstar (Black Lives Matter).” During the performance, the rapper reenacted the tragic death of George Floyd, with a cop's leg on his neck at the start of the clip.
Alicia Keys also paid tribute to victims of systemic racism and police brutality with a performance of “Perfect Way To Die.” The singer-songwriter and pianist performed in the middle of an empty city street. At the end, she took a knee and the camera pulled back to reveal the names of the many Black lives that have been lost written in chalk on the street.
Wayne Brady hit the stage for an energetic tribute to Little Richard, performing “Lucille,” “Good Golly Ms. Molly,” and “Tutti Frutti.” Followed by Lil Wayne, who paid tribute to Kobe Bryant with his song “Kobe Bryant.”
The big winners of the night included Megan Thee Stallion, who took home the award for Best Female Rap Artist, Lizzo, who was awarded Best Female R&B/Pop Artist and Roddy Rich, who took home the trophy for Album of The Year. DJ Khaled ft. John Legend and the late Nipsey Hussle took home the award for Video of The Year for “Higher.”
MORE PERFORMANCES
John Legend kept it soulful with a performance of “Never Break.”
Roddy Ricch showed off his piano skills during a performance of “High Fashion” and followed it up with his chart topping hit “The Box.” During the performance, he rocked a Black Lives Matter shirt.
D-Smoke and his brother SiR hit the stage with a powerful performance of “Let Go,” a song they recorded the same day George Floyd was killed.
Megan Thee Stallion put her knees to work with a sexy performance of “Girls in the Hood” and “Savage” with some hot girls in the desert!
Jennifer Hudson bought the house down with a performance of Aretha Franklin's “Young, Black & Gifted.
Anderson. Paak and Jay Rock performed a powerful protest song called “Lockdown.” The performance depicted Paak and Jay Roc at a protest, with Paak ending up with a bloodied, black eye on his face.
Chloe x Halle showed off their amazing vocals with performances of “Forgive Me” and “Do It.”
Gospel singers Johnathan McReynolds and Kane Brown inspired with a performance of “People” and “Worldwide Beautiful.”
Summer Walker gave an intimate acapella performance of “Session 32.” Usher later joined her for a performance of “Come Thru.”
Karen Clark Sheard and Kierra Sheard closed out the show with a soul shaking performance of “Something Has To Break.”
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
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 MALE HIP HOP ARTIST
DaBaby
BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST
Megan Thee Stallion
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
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial – Roddy Ricch
DR. BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
Kirk Franklin – “Just For Me”
BEST ACTRESS
Issa Rae
BEST ACTOR
Michael B. Jordan
YOUNGSTARS AWARD
Marsai Martin
BEST MOVIE
Queen & Slim
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Simone Biles
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
LeBron James
BET HER AWARD
Beyonce Ft. Blue Ivy Carter, Wizkid & Saint Jhn – “Brown Skin Girl”
VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD
Megan Thee Stallion Ft. Nicki Minaj – “Hot Girl Summer”
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
Burna Boy (Nigeria) — WINNER
VIEWER’S CHOICE: BEST NEW INTERNATIONAL ACT
Sha Sha (Zimbabwe) — WINNER
