The BET Awards returned last night under the theme, “Year of the Black Woman”, with actress Taraji P. Henson as the host live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Sunday night’s 21st staging saw a live audience, the first for an award ceremony since the pandemic began.
Rapper Megan Thee Stallion tied with DaBaby for having the most nominations of the night. She took home awards for “Best Female Hip Hop Artist,” “Best Collaboration,” “Viewer’s Choice” and “Video of the Year” along with Cardi B for WAP. H.E.R took home the award for “Best Female Hip Hop/R&B Artist” while “Best Male R&B Artiste” went to Chris Brown. Powerhouse singer, Jazmine Sullivan took home the coveted “Album of the Year”.
Rap legend DMX was honoured at the ceremony with a tribute performance from Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Swizz Beatz and many more.
Grammy and Emmy winner, Oscar nominee, and four-time BET Awardee, Queen Latifa, was presented with the 2021 BET Lifetime Achievement Award. The multi-talented performer, in her acceptance speech said, “Y’all my sistas in the name of rap…I wanted to celebrate us because I know together, we stand stronger than when we tear each other apart. And I’ve seen enough of that.”
She shared the stage with Rapsody, Monie Love, Lil’ Kim and MC Lyte, who performed a special tribute to the rap icon.
In a surprising twist to last night’s show, rapper Cardi B revealed that she is pregnant with baby number 2 with rapper husband Offset during her performance of “Type ish”. She wore a black mesh bodysuit that revealed her growing baby bump. Shortly after the performance, Cardi posted a photo on her Instagram with the caption, “#2 (heart emoji) @offset”.
As with all award shows, the BET awards had a special feature dedicated to artistes and performers who died and Jamaica’s reggae legend, Bunny Wailer was highlighted.
