The BET Awards is airing live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Beyonce wouldn’t stick around to enjoy her next moments in the spotlight, winning both video of the year and the viewer’s choice award for “Formation”.
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Bilal, who goes so far back with the Roots and Prince tributes that he performed with them at one at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in 1999, was next with Purple Rain’s The Beautiful Ones. The BET Awards also took some political turns Sunday.
Spike Lee, Taraji P. Henson, Jamie Foxx and Jussie Smollett will present awards, while “black-ish” actors Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson will host the three-hour-plus show.
The 34-year-old singer claimed the Best Female R&B/Pop Artist award, as well as the prestigious gong for Video of the Year for Formation. Bey then took the entire performance a step further when Kendrick Lamar popped out of the floor to close out the song.
For all the red carpet looks from the 2016 BET Awards, check out the slideshow below!
The Roots and Erykah Badu – would subsequently team up to give him an elaborate tribute, by singing The Ballad of Dorothy Parker from his 1987 classic LP – Sign O’ the Times.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, BET had quietly and without explanation removed D’Angelo’s name from its last press release before the show, dated June 23.
Also paying tribute to the late Prince were – Stevie Wonder and Tori Kelly and Jennifer Hudson – who all performed Take Me With U, also from Purple Rain. Grey’s Anatomy star Jesse Williams was presented with the Humanitarian Award for his activism and philanthropic efforts, and stunned the star-studded audience with his impassioned speech. “I love you, Prince!” she shouted.
Unfortunately, Beyonce was not on hand to accept her awards later during the show, as her mother explained that she had to immediately jump on a plane to London for her tour.
Later in the show, Tiller was named Best New Artist and again kept his speech short and sweet, while giving a shout out to Louisville and Muhammad Ali.
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Other performers to hit the stage Sunday include Alicia Keys, Maxwell, Usher, Future, Desiigner, Fat Joe, Remy Ma, French Montana and Beyoncé’s mentees, the duo Chloe x Halle.
