The 2016 BET Awards aired Sunday, June 26th. Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson, stars of ABC’s ‘Blackish’, 
hosted the ceremony for the second year in a row. This year, Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar opened the show with a performance of ‘Freedom’ featured on Beyoncé’s recent album, Lemonade.
The BET Awards is an event that not only acknowledges, but celebrates black singers, rappers, actors, athletes, and so on. Other performers included Usher, Alicia Keys, The Roots, Erykah Badu, Jennifer Hudson, and many more.
Shelia E., an artist who worked alongside the late Prince for years, did an 8-minute tribute of his greatest hits in his honor. Erykah Badu, Jennifer Hudson, Stevie Wonder, Maxwell, and Tori Kelly also dedicated their performances to Prince’s legendary career as a pop star and music icon. In total, there were 24 awards given out during the ceremony, 4 of which belonged to Beyoncé.
Samuel L. Jackson took home the Lifetime Achievement award, honored for his decades of extraordinary acting. In reference to Jackson, director Spike Lee named him, “one of the greatest actors on this God’s planet,” and “the hardest working man in show business.”
The list of winners for the BET Awards 2016:
Video of the Year: Beyoncé
Best Actress: Taraji P. Henson
Best Actor: Michael B. Jordan
Sportswoman of the Year: Serena Williams
Sportsman of the Year: Stephen Curry
Best Male R&B/POP Artist: Bryson Tiller
Best Female R&B/POP Artist: Beyoncé
BET Humanitarian Award: Jesse Williams
Global Good Award: Akon
Best International Act-Africa: Wizkid
Best International Act- UK: Skepta
Best Gospel/Inspirational Artist: Kirk Franklin
Viewer’s Choice Award: Beyoncé
BET Young Stars Award: Amandla Steinberg
Best Male Hip Hop Artist: Drake
Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj
Best New Artist: Bryson Tiller
Best Group: Drake and Future
Best Collaboration: Drake and Rihanna- Work
BET Centric Award- Formation: Beyoncé
Video Director of the Year: Director X
Best Movie: Straight Outta Compton
Lifetime Achievement Award: Samuel L. Jackson
By Tiara Bryant
Designed and Edited by Renita Singleton
