Beyoncé ended up winning the most awards with 5. Social activism was a theme of the night, with Humanitarian Award victor, Jesse Williams of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, dedicating his award to black women “who have spent their lives dedicated to nurturing everyone before themselves” and calling for change.
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Fans just assumed that Beyonce will get to London and continue her show without any rehearsal and time to analyze where her dances will stand during the performances – after all, every arena tends to be placed in different spots.
BET previously promised to properly honor the Purple One after Madonna’s May 22 BBMA tribute, which the network felt failed to capture Prince’s genius.
The next tribute saw Stevie Wonder and Tori Kelly teaming up for the duet “Take me with u”.
“I want to thank, first of all, her husband and her daughter”, Beyonce’s mother, Tina, said onstage.
After the funnyman’s introduction, Erykah, backed by The Roots, performed a passionate version of Prince’s song The Ballad of Dorothy Parker before R&B singer Bilal impressed the crowd with his passionate rendition of The Beautiful Ones. Kendrick Lamar also joined the singer on stage as they rocked to “Freedom” in a surprise opening performance for the awards show.
Screen stars recognised at the annual awards ceremony included Empire star Taraji P. Henson, who was named Best Actress, and Creed heartthrob Michael B. Jordan, who got the Best Actor gong. “So we really need to pull together and turn this country around”.
Not everything was so serious, as hosts, “Black-ish” actors Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson, kept the commentary light and the evening flowing easily, though a few of their bits bordered on cheesy.
Drake Future won best group, Beyonce’s “Formation” took the award for video of the year, and Drake, who led the nominations with nine, also took home the prize for best male hip-hop artist.
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The BET Awards promised, and delivered, a huge tribute to Prince. “But to me and my eight brothers and sisters, he was just dad”.
