However, the tribute could become the most memorable moment of the show, airing live on BET from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. The Weeknd was nominated in the best R&B/Pop category and lost to Bryson Tiller. The activists, the civil rights attorneys, the struggling parents, the families, the teachers, the students, that are realising that a system built to divide and impoverish and destroy us can not stand if we do… “Don’t get tricked like they got tricked in England”, Jackson added, referencing that country’s recent vote to leave the European Union. Though the three musicians in the group were largely unknown, they shared the stage with Prince as equals: They took solos, they were given time in the spotlight, they rocked just as hard, if not harder, than the Purple One himself. Then, donning a short white dress that looked very similar to the white blazer that Prince wore at the 2005 People’s Choice Awards, Jennifer Hudson belted out an emotional and vocally dexterous performance of “Purple Rain”. However, by that time, the singer had already hopped on a plane to London to start her worldwide tour; meaning it was her mother Tina Knowles who accepted the awards on her behalf.
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But BET ended on a high note when drummer Sheila E., Prince’s longtime friend, collaborator and onetime fiance, took the stage to close out the show.
The Roots were there, alongside the singers Bilal and Erykah Badu, who delivered the funkiest bit of the night. Award winners included Drake (Best Male Hip-hop Artist), gospel singer Kirk Franklin (Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational), Taraji P. Henson (Best Actress) and Serena Williams (Best Sportswoman).
Stevie and Tori Kelly teamed up for Take Me with U, and Janelle wowed with hits including Delirious, Kiss and I Would Die 4 U. Best Female Hip Hop Artist went to Nicki Minaj.
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Muhammad Ali was also remembered at the ceremony by his daughter and Jamie Foxx, who starred in the 2001 biopic about the legendary boxer’s life.
