The 21st annual BET awards took place yesterday night with this year’s theme “Year of the Black Woman.”
This year’s BET award which aired live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles honor’s Black excellence across music, television, film and sports.
Award-winning actress; Taraji P. Henson hosted the ceremony where a live audience attended for the first time since the pandemic began.
Henson while opening up the show said, “Celebrating Black women isn’t a fad or a trend it’s a forever mood. There is more than enough room for all of us to thrive, because can’t nobody be like me and can’t nobody be you like you.”
The highlight of the show was when esteemed rapper and actress; Queen Latifah received this year’s BET 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award for her “amazing success” throughout her decades-long career. Rappers Lil Kim, Rapsody, MC Lyte and Monie Love honored the entertainer with a performance of her songs “Ladies First” and “U.N.I.T.Y..” Queen Latifah then gave a speech, expressing her gratitude.
“I want to thank BET for creating an outlet for beautiful Blackness to thrive, to shine,” Queen Latifah said while accepting her award. “When we couldn’t get played on the radio in other places, we couldn’t get our videos played in other places, there was BET that allowed us to be in our fullness.”
Late Rap legend DMX was honored at the ceremony with a special tribute performance from Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Swizz Beatz and Michael K. Williams. The rap legend died from a heart attack earlier this year.
Andra Day, the City Girls, DJ Khaled, Jazmine Sullivan, Lil Nas X, Kirk Franklin and Migos were among stars who performed at the annual award ceremony.
Below is the full list of nominees and winners at the 2021 BET Awards.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
After Hours – The Weeknd
Blame It on Baby – DaBaby
Good News – Megan Thee Stallion
Heaux Tales – Jazmine Sullivan WINNER
King’s Disease – Nas
Ungodly Hour – Chloe x Halle
BEST COLLABORATION
“WAP” – Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion WINNER
“Rockstar” – DaBaby feat. Roddy Ricch
“Popstar” – DJ Khaled feat. Drake
“Whats Poppin (Remix)” – Jack Harlow feat. DaBaby, Tory Lanez & Lil Wayne
“Cry Baby” – Megan Thee Stallion feat. DaBaby
“For the Night” – Pop Smoke feat. Lil Baby & DaBaby
BEST FEMALE R&B / POP ARTIST
Beyoncé
H.E.R. WINNER
Jazmine Sullivan
Jhené Aiko
Summer Walker
SZA
BEST MALE R&B / POP ARTIST
6LACK
Anderson .Paak
Chris Brown WINNER
Giveon
Tank
The Weeknd
BEST NEW ARTIST
Coi Leray
Flo Milli
Giveon WINNER
Jack Harlow
Latto
Pooh Shiesty
BEST GROUP
21 Savage & Metro Boomin
Chloe x Halle
Chris Brown & Young Thug
City Girls
Migos
Silk Sonic WINNER
BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST
Cardi B
Coi Leray
Doja Cat
Megan Thee Stallion WINNER
Latto
Saweetie
BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST
DaBaby
Drake
J. Cole
Jack Harlow
Lil Baby WINNER
Pop Smoke
DR. BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
“In Jesus Name” – Bebe Winans
“Never Lost” – Cece Winans
“Hold Us Together” – H.E.R.
“Strong God” – Kirk Franklin WINNER
“Thank You for It All” – Marvin Sapp
“Touch From You” – Tamela Mann
BET HER AWARD
“So Done” – Alicia Keys Ft. Khalid
“Baby Mama” – Brandy feat. Chance the Rapper
“Anti Queen” – Bri Steves
“Baby Girl” – Chloe x Halle
“Rooted” – Ciara feat. Ester Dean
“Good Days” – SZA WINNER
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
Aya Nakamura (France)
Burna Boy (Nigeria) WINNER
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Emicida (Brazil)
Headie One (UK)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Young T & Bugsey (UK)
Youssoupha (France)
VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD
“WAP” – Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion
“Go Crazy” – Chris Brown & Young Thug
“Rockstar” – DaBaby feat. Roddy Ricch
“Popstar” – DJ Khaled feat. Drake
“Laugh Now Cry Later” – Drake feat. Lil Durk
“The Bigger Picture” – Lil Baby
“Savage (Remix)” – Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé WINNER
“Leave the Door Open” – Silk Sonic
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“Up” – Cardi B
“WAP” – Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion WINNER
“Do It” – Chloe x Halle
“Go Crazy” – Chris Brown & Young Thug
“Laugh Now Cry Later” – Drake feat. Lil Durk
“Leave the Door Open” – Silk Sonic
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Benny Boom
Bruno Mars and Florent Déchard WINNER
Cole Bennett
Colin Tilley
Dave Meyers
Hype Williams
BEST MOVIE
Coming 2 America
Judas and the Black Messiah WINNER
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
One Night in Miami…
Soul
The United States vs. Billie Holiday
BEST ACTRESS
Andra Day WINNER
Angela Bassett
Issa Rae
Jurnee Smollett
Viola Davis
Zendaya
BEST ACTOR
Aldis Hodge
Chadwick Boseman WINNER
Damson Idris
Daniel Kaluuya
Eddie Murphy
Lakeith Stanfield
YOUNGSTARS AWARD
Alex R. Hibbert
Ethan Hutchison
Lonnie Chavis
Marsai Martin WINNER
Michael Epps
Storm Reid
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
A’ja Wilson
Candace Parker
Claressa Shields
Naomi Osaka WINNER
Serena Williams
Skylar Diggins-Smith
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Kyrie Irving
LeBron James WINNER
Patrick Mahomes
Russell Westbrook
Russell Wilson
Stephen Curry
Congratulations to all the winners.
