The 2016 BET Awards aired Sunday, June 26^th. 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