The 2020 Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards were handed out Sunday night, with Nigeria’s Burna Boy and Zimbabwean Sha Sha bagging the trophies for the ‘International Act’ and ‘Best New International Act’ respectively for Africa.
The ‘On the low’singer beat his contenders such as Stormzy, Dave, both UK based, Ninho andS.Pri Noir(France), Sho Madjozi (South Africa) and Innoss’B (DRC).
This is the second time Burna Boy is winning the award in a row.
Also ‘Amapiano’ Star Sha Sha was up against; Rema from Nigeria, Celeste from the United Kingdom, Young T and Bugsey from the United Kingdom, Hatik from France and Stacy from France.
Comedian and insecure actress Amanda Seales hosted the annual show, which organizers thisyear said “expanded its footprint to go beyond the confines of atraditional stage show in response to safety precautions in light of theCOVID-19 pandemic, marking a first for the network.”
After apowerful remix by Public Enemy of 1989’s “Fight the Power” — withupdated lyrics and a slew of other artists — kicked off the show, Sealesdelivered a brief monologue that addressed racism.
The annualawards show celebrates creative expression and Black excellence across music,film, television, sports and philanthropy.
During theshow, Beyoncé was honored with the Humanitarian Award, which she dedicated tothe Black Lives Matter protestors.
“Yourvoices are being heard and you’re proving to our ancestors that their struggleswere not in vain,” the singer said during her acceptance speech.
Heading intoSunday night, Drake led the nominations with six nods, followed by Megan TheeStallion and Roddy Ricch with five each. Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Brown, Lizzo andDaBaby follow with four nominations apiece.
Winners in the21 categories were selected by BET’s Voting Academy, which is made up of fansand an esteemed group of entertainment professionals.
A slew of performers and stars appeared, including Alicia Keys, Chloe x Halle, DaBaby, D Smoke, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Jonathan McReynolds, Kane Brown, Lil Wayne, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch, SiR, Summer Walker, Usher and Wayne Brady.
Manyperformances addressed the killings of Black men and women while in policecustody, the Black Lives Matter movement and the protests over police violence.
DaBaby andRoddy Ricch’s performance of “Rockstar” opened with a close-up ofDaBaby with his face against the pavement, rapping the new BLM intro to”Rockstar.”
As the cameraslowly pulled back, it revealed a police officer with his knee on DaBaby’sneck, a reference to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May after apolice officer knelt on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds despite hisrepeated pleas.
Keys’performance of “Perfect Way to Die” featured her singing at a pianoon an empty street. It ended with the camera pulling back to show a list of thenames of the Black men and women who have been killed while in police custodywritten on the pavement.
Someperformances also referenced the coronavirus pandemic, incorporating COVID-19into lyrics or masks into the performance.
In addition,Lil Wayne paid tribute to Kobe Bryant, while Wayne Brady honored Little Richard.Both the NBA star and singing legend died this year.
A list ofwinners follows;
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
H.E.R.
Jhene Aiko
Kehlani
Lizzo (WINNER)
Summer Walker
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Anderson .Paak
Chris Brown (WINNER)
Jacquees
Khalid
The Weeknd
Usher
Best Group
Chloe x Halle
City Girls
EarthGang
Griselda
JACKBOYS
Migos (WINNER)
Best Collaboration
Chris Brown Ft. Drake, “No Guidance” (WINNER)
DJ Khaled ft.Nipsey Hussle & John Legend, “Higher”
Future ft.Drake, “Life Is Good”
H.E.R. ft. YG,”Slide”
Megan TheeStallion ft. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign, “Hot Girl Summer”
Wale ft.Jeremih, “On Chill”
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
DaBaby (WINNER)
Drake
Future
Lil Baby
Roddy Ricch
Travis Scott
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi B
Doja Cat
Lizzo
Megan Thee Stallion (WINNER)
Nicki Minaj
Saweetie
Video of the Year
Chris Brown Ft.Drake, “No Guidance”
DaBaby,”Bop”
DJ Khaled ft. Nipsey Hussle & John Legend, “Higher” (WINNER)
Doja Cat,”Say So”
Megan TheeStallion ft. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign, “Hot Girl Summer”
Roddy Ricch,”The Box”
Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Cole Bennett
Dave Meyers
Director X
Eif Rivera
Teyana “Spike Tee” Taylor (WINNER)
Best New Artist
DaniLeigh
Lil Nas X
Pop Smoke
Roddy Ricch (WINNER)
Summer Walker
YBN Cordae
Album of the Year
Cuz I Love You,Lizzo
Fever, MeganThee Stallion
Homecoming: TheLive Album, Beyoncé
I Used to KnowHer, H.E.R.
Kirk, DaBaby
Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial, Roddy Ricch (WINNER)
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” (WINNER)
PJ Morton ft.Le’Andria Johnson & Mary Mary, “All In His Pain”
The ClarkSisters, “Victory”
Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Cynthia Erivo
Issa Rae (WINNER)
Regina King
Tracee EllisRoss
Zendaya
Best Actor
Billy Porter
Eddie Murphy
Forest Whitaker
Jamie Foxx
Michael B. Jordan (WINNER)
Omari Hardwick
Young Stars Award
Alex Hibbert
Asante Blackk
Jahi Di’AlloWinston
Marsai Martin (WINNER)
Miles Brown
Storm Reid
Best Movie
Bad Boys forLife
Dolemite Is MyName
Harriet
Homecoming: AFilm by Beyoncé
Just Mercy
Queen & Slim (WINNER)
Sportswoman ofthe Year
Ajeé Wilson
ClaressaShields
Coco Gauff
Naomi Osaka
Serena Williams
Simone Biles(WINNER)
Sportsman of the Year
GiannisAntetokounmpo
Kawhi Leonard
LeBron James (WINNER)
Odell BeckhamJr.
Patrick MahomesII
Stephen Curry
BET HER Award
Alicia Keys,”Underdog”
Beyoncé ft. Blue Ivy, WizKid & Saint Jhn, “Brown Skin Girl” (WINNER)
Ciara ft.Lupita Nyong’o, Ester Dean, City Girls & La La, “Melanin”
Layton Greene,”I Choose”
Lizzo ft. MissyElliott, “Tempo”
Rapsody ft. PJMorgan, “Afeni”
Viewers 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” (WINNER)
Roddy Ricch,”The Box”
The Weeknd,”Heartless”
Best International Act
Burna Boy (Nigeria) (WINNER)
Innoss’B (DRC)
Sho Madjozi (S.Africa)
Dave (U.K.)
Stormzy (U.K.)
Ninho (France)
S.Pri Noir(France)
Viewers Choice: Best New International Act
Rema (Nigeria)
SHA SHA (Zimbabwe) (WINNER)
Celeste (U.K.)
Young T &Bugsey (U.K.)
Hatik (France)
Stacy (France)
Congratulationsto all winners!
