The 21st annual BET awards returned Sunday night with the theme “Year of the Black Woman.” Award-winning actress Taraji P. Henson hosted the ceremony from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, where a live audience attended for the first time since the pandemic began.
“Celebrating Black women isn’t a fad or a trend it’s a forever mood” Henson said, opening up the show. “There is more than enough room for all of us to thrive, because can’t nobody be like me and can’t nobody be you like you.”
Critically acclaimed rapper and actress Queen Latifah received this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her “amazing success” throughout her decades-long career. Rappers Lil Kim, Rapsody, MC Lyte and Monie Love honored the entertainer with a performance of her songs “Ladies First” and “U.N.I.T.Y..” Queen Latifah then gave a speech, expressing her gratitude.
Queen Latifah accepts the Lifetime Achievement BET Award.
Bennett Raglin
“I want to thank BET for creating an outlet for beautiful Blackness to thrive, to shine,” Queen Latifah said while accepting her award. “When we couldn’t get played on the radio in other places, we couldn’t get our videos played in other places, there was BET that allowed us to be in our fullness.”
Rapper Megan Thee Stallion was tied with DaBaby for having the most nominations of the night and took home awards for “Best Female Hip Hop Artist,” “Best Collaboration,” “Viewer’s Choice” and “Video of the Year.”
Rap legend DMX, who died from a heart attack earlier this year, was honored at the ceremony with a special tribute performance from Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Swizz Beatz and Michael K. Williams.
Andra Day, the City Girls, DJ Khaled, Jazmine Sullivan, Lil Nas X, Kirk Franklin and Migos were among stars who performed at the annual award ceremony.
Check out the full list of nominees and winners:
Album of the Year”Heaux Tales” Jazmine Sullivan — Winner”Ungodly Hour” — Chloe x Halle”King’s Disease” — Nas”Good News” — Megan Thee Stallion”Blame it on Baby” — DaBaby”After Hours” — The WeekndBest Female R&B / Pop ArtistH.E.R. — WinnerBeyoncéJazmine SullivanJhené AikoSummer WalkerSzaBest Male R&B / Pop ArtistChris Brown — Winner6LACKAnderson .PaakGiveonTankThe WeekndBest GroupBruno Mars, Anderson .Paak and Silk Sonic — Winner21 Savage & Metro BoominChloe X HalleChris Brown & Young Thug City GirlsMigosBest Collaboration”WAP” Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion — Winner
“Rockstar” — DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch”Popstar” — DJ Khaled ft. Drake “What’s Poppin (Remix)” — Jack Harlow ft. DaBaby, Tory Lanez and Lil Wayne”Cry Baby” — Megan Thee Stallion ft. DaBaby”For the Night” — Pop Smoke ft. Lil Baby and DaBabyBest Male Hip Hop ArtistLil Baby — WinnerDaBabyDrakeJ. ColeJack HarlowPop SmokeBest Female Hip Hop ArtistMegan Thee Stallion — WinnerCardi BCoi LerayDoja CatLattoSaweetieVideo of the Year”WAP” Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion — Winner”Up” — Cardi B”Do It” — Chloe x Halle”Go Crazy” — Chris Brown and Young Thug”Laugh Now Cry Later” — Drake ft. Lil Durk”Leave the Door Open” — Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak and Silk SonicVideo Director of the YearBruno Mars & Florent Déchard — WinnerBenny BoomCole BennettColin TilleyDave MeyersHype Williams
Best New ArtistGiveon — WinnerCoi LerayFlo MilliJack HarlowLattoPooh ShiestyDr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel / Inspirational Award”Strong God” — Kirk Franklin”In Jesus Name” — Bebe Winans”Never Lost” — Cece Winans”Hold Us Together” — H.E.R.”Thank You For It All” — Marvin Sapp”Touch From You” — Tamela MannBET Her Award”Good Days” Sza — Winner”So Done” — Alicia Keys ft. Khalid”Baby Mama” — Brandy ft. Chance the Rapper”Anti Queen” — Bri Steves”Baby Girl” — Chloe x Halle”Rooted” — Ciara ft. Ester DeanBest International ActBurna Boy, Nigeria — WinnerAya Nakamura — FranceDiamond Platnumz — TanzaniaEmicida — BrazilHeadie One — United KingdomWizkid — NigeriaYoung T & Bugsey — United KingdomYoussopha — FranceViewer’s Choice Award”Savage (Remix)” Megan Thee Stallion ft. Beyoncé – Winner”WAP” – Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion “Go Crazy” – Chris Brown & Young Thug “Rockstar” – DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch “Popstar” – DJ Khaled ft. Drake “Laugh Now Cry Later” – Drake ft. Lil Durk “The Bigger Picture” – Lil Baby “Leave the Door Open” – Silk SonicBest Movie”Judas and the Black Messiah” — Winner”Coming 2 America””Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom””One Night in Miami””Soul””The United States Vs. Billie Holiday”Best ActressAndra Day — WinnerAngela BassettIssa RaeJurnee SmollettViola DavisZendayaBest ActorChadwick Boseman — WinnerAldis HodgeDamson IdrisDaniel KaluuyaEddie MurphyLakeith StanfieldYoungstars Award:Marsai Martin — WinnerAlex R. HibbertEthan HutchisonLonnie ChavisMichael EppsStorm ReidSportswoman of the Year Award:Naomi Osaka — WinnerA’ja WilsonCandace ParkerClaressa ShieldsSerena WilliamsSkylar Diggins-SmithSportsman of the Year Award:Lebron James — WinnerKyrie IrvingPatrick MahomesRussell WestbrookRussell WilsonStephen CurryViewer’s Choice: Best New International ActBree Runway, United Kingdom — WinnerArlo Parks — United KingdomBramsito — FranceElaine — South AfricaMC Dricka — BrazilRonisia — FranceTems — NigeriaBET, Parmount+ and CBS News are all owned by ViacomCBS.