The 2020 BET Awards took place last night (June 28) celebrating its 20th anniversary. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, this marked the first time the awards show was presented virtually, with Insecure's Amana Seales as this year's host.
A virtual ceremony comes with its limits, but the 2020 BET Awards did not disappoint. Sure, you don't have that high-energy momentum you get from the in-person experience when you announce a winner or watch the audience react to your favorite artist performing. But the flexibility on what is possible via a virtual broadcast allowed for some interesting performances that even viewing from a livestream at home, earned a standing ovation.
DaBaby and Best New Artist winner Roddy Rich delivered a powerful performance of "Rockstar" where they recreated the unjust and unfortunate death of George Floyd that occurred last month and helped fuel the biggest movement of our lifetime, the Black Lives Matter movement.
Alicia Keys and the first performance of her new song "Perfect Way to Die" was heartbreaking to say the least. The goosebumps inducing performance took place in the middle of empty city streets on a grand piano, towards the end Keys takes a knee and the camera pans up to reveal the names of many lost Black lives.
Lil Wayne honored Kobe Bryant in a performance that included an intro tribute and a ton of Kobe action highlights weaved throughout.
Check out more full performances from John Legend, Chloe x Halle, Kane Brown and more on BET's YouTube page HERE. See the full list of winner below!
BEST NEW ARTIST
Danileigh
Lil Nas X
Pop Smoke
Roddy Ricch - WINNER
Summer Walker
YBN Cordae
BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST
Beyonce
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 Thee Stallion 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 Thee Stallion 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
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Cuz I Love You - Lizzo
Fever - Megan Thee Stallion
Homecoming: The Live Album - Beyonce
I Used to Know Her - H.E.R.
Kirk - DaBaby
Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial - Roddy Ricch - WINNER
DR. BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
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 Plan"
The Clark Sisters - "Victory"
BET HER AWARD
Alicia Keys - "Underdog"
Beyonce Ft. Blue Ivy Carter, 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. Missy Elliott - "Tempo"
Rapsody Ft. PJ Morton - "Afeni"
VIEWER’S 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 (South Africa)
Dave (U.K.)
Stormzy (U.K.)
Ninho (France)
S.Pri Noir (France)
VIEWER'S CHOICE: BEST NEW INTERNATIONAL ACT
Rema (Nigeria)
Sha Sha (Zimbabwe) - WINNER
Celeste (U.K.)
Young T & Bugsey (U.K.)
Hatik (France)
Sracy (France)
BEST ACTRESS
Angela Bassett
Cynthia Erivo
Issa Rae - WINNER
Regina King
Tracee Ellis Ross
Zendaya
BEST ACTOR
Billy Porter
Eddie Murphy
Forest Whitaker
Jamie Foxx
Michael B. Jordan - WINNER
Omari Hardwick
YOUNGSTARS AWARD
Alex Hibbert
Asanta Blackk
Jahi Di’Allo Winston
Marsai Martin - WINNER
Miles Brown
Storm Reid
BEST MOVIE
Bad Boys For Life
Dolemite Is My Name
Harriet
Homecoming: A Film by Beyonce
Just Mercy
Queen & Slim - WINNER
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Ajee Wilson
Claressa Shields
Coco Gauff
Naomi Osaka
Serena Williams
Simone Biles - WINNER
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Kawhi Leonard
LeBron James - WINNER
Odell Beckham Jr.
Patrick Mahomes II
Stephen Curry
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With the current state of the world, it's important to raise awareness and encourage our readers to take action in support of the BLACK LIVES MATTER movement. We compiled a list or resources to help guide you in the right direction to begin helping today - check it out HERE.