Regina Hall hosted the 19th annual BET Awards ceremony, which aired live from the Microsoft Theater on Sunday (23 June) in downtown Los Angeles across seven Viacom networks in the U.S., including BET, BET HER, MTV, MTV 2, MTV Classic, VH1 and Logo.
The show kicked off with a special performance from lead BET nominee Cardi B, who took the stage with husband Offset and a gaggle of dancers for their rendition of her hit tracks “Clout” and “Press.” with other performances including chart-toppers Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus performing their hit song “Old Town Road,” Lizzo’s rendition of “Truth Hurts,” and a medley of hits from Mary J Blige.
Cardi is nominated for 7 awards including Album of the Year, Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, and Best Collaboration category for her songs with Bruno Mars on “Please Me,” and Bad Bunny and J. Balvin on “I Like It.” She won five BET Awards in 2017 and four during the 2018 celebration.
Following Cardi’s lead is hip-hop superstar Drake, who is nominated for five awards including Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Best Collaboration for his track “Sicko Mode” with Travis Scott, and Best Video.
Other nominees included Beyonce, J. Cole, Childish Gambino, Issa Rae, Stephen Curry, and Lizzo.Mary J. Blige was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award and Tyler Perry was presented with the Ultimate Icon Award.
Tyler Perry was honoured with the Ultimate Icon award, while Mary J Blige received the Lifetime Achievement Award after performing a medley of her greatest hits.
Grammy-nominated rapper Nipsey Hussle was given a posthumous Humanitarian Award to honour his work as an entrepreneur and community activist. Nipsey Hussle, who was murdered on March 31, was remembered throughout the pre-show by heavy hitters like John Legend, Lil’ Kim, and DJ Khaled. BET even opted to use a blue carpet in honour of the slain rapper.
Burna Boy won the Best International Act, which was accepted by his mother/manager who gave a powerful acceptance speech.
See the full list of winners below:
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé (WINNER)
Ella Mai
H.E.R.
Solange
SZA
Teyana Taylor
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Bruno Mars (WINNER)
Anderson .Paak
Childish Gambino
Chris Brown
John Legend
Khalid
Best Group
Migos (WINNER)
Chloe x Halle
City Girls
Lil Baby & Gunna
The Carters
Best Collaboration
“Sicko Mode,” Travis Scott ft. Drake (WINNER)
“A Lot,” 21 Savage ft. J. Cole
“Please Me,” Cardi B & Bruno Mars
“I Like It,” Cardi B ft. Bad Bunny & J Balvin
“Could’ve Been,” H.E.R. ft. Bryson Tiller
“Taste,” Tyga ft. Offset
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi B (WINNER)
Kash Doll
Lizzo
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Remy Ma
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Nipsey Hussle (WINNER)
21 Savage
Drake
J. Cole
Meek Mill
Travis Scott
Video of the Year
“This Is America,” Childish Gambino (WINNER)
“A Lot,” 21 Savage ft. J. Cole
“Money,” Cardi B
“Please Me,” Cardi B & Bruno Mars
“Nice For What,” Drake
“APES**T,” The Carters
Video Director of the Year
Karena Evans (WINNER)
Benny Boom
Colin Tilley
Dave Meyers
Hype Williams
Best New Artist
Lil Baby (WINNER)
Blueface
City Girls
Juice WRLD
Queen Naija
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational
“Blessing Me Again,” Snoop Dogg ft. Rance Allen (WINNER)
“All Of My Life,” Erica Campbell ft. Warryn Campbell
“Tell Me Where It Hurts,” Fred Hammon
“Love Theory,” Kirk Franklin
“Never Alone,” Tori Kelly ft. Kirk Franklin
Best International Act
Burna Boy (Nigeria) (WINNER)
AKA (South Africa)
Aya Nakamura (France)
Dave (UK)
Dosseh (France)
Giggs (UK)
Mr. Eazi (Nigeria)
Best New International Act
Sho Madjozi (South Africa) (WINNER)
Headie One (UK)
Jokair (France)
Nesly (France)
Octavian (UK)
Teni (Nigeria)
Best Actress
Regina King (WINNER)
Issa Rae
Regina Hall
Taraji P Henson
Tiffany Haddish
Viola Davis
Best Actor
Michael B. Jordan (WINNER)
Anthony Anderson
Chadwick Boseman
Denzel Washington
Mahershala Ali
Omari Hardwick
Young Stars
Marsai Martin (WINNER)
Caleb McLaughlin
Lyrics Ross
Michael Rainey Jr.
Miles Brown
Best Movie
BlacKkKlansman (WINNER) Creed 2
If Beale Street Could Talk
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
The Hate U Give
Sportswoman of the Year
Serena Williams (WINNER)
Allyson Felix
Candace Parker
Naomi Osaka
Simone Biles
Sportsman of the Year
Stephen Curry (WINNER)
Kevin Durant
LeBron James
Odell Beckham Jr
Tiger Woods
Album of the Year
Invasion of Privacy, Cardi B (WINNER)
Astroworld, Travis Scott
Championships, Meek Mill
Ella Mai, Ella Mai
Everything Is Love, The Carters
Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice
“Trip,” Ella Mai (WINNER)
“I Like It,” Cardi B ft Bad Bunny & J Balvin
“This Is America,” Childish Gambino
“In My Feelings,” Drake
“Middle Child,” J. Col
“Sicko Mode,” Travis Scott ft. Drake
