Megan Thee Stallion, H.E.R. and Jazmine Sullivan were among the big winners at the in-person 2021 BET Awards, which aired live Sunday night from the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
Actress Taraji P. Henson hosted the star-studded event, which honors the best and the brightest in Black music, culture, and entertainment. This year’s theme was “Year of the Black Woman.”
After a performance of her new song, “Thot S***,” Megan took home three of the biggest awards of the night: Best Female Hip Hop Artist, Viewer’s Choice Award for the “Savage” remix featuring Beyonce, and Video of the Year for her “WAP” collaboration with Cardi B.
Meanwhile, Cardi B surprised everyone by revealing her baby bump while performing “Type S***,” alongside her husband Offset, and Quavo and Takeoff of Migos. This marks Cardi’s second child with her husband Offset and her second time announcing her pregnancy on a live television show. Cardi announced her first pregnancy with the couple’s now-two-year-old daughter, Kulture, on Saturday Night Live in 2018.
For his debut performance at the awards show, Moneybagg Yo performed his single, “Wockesha,” and his hit single, “Time Today.” The star-studded evening also included lively performances from DaBaby, Roddy Ricch, Tyler, The Creator, Lil Nas X, Andra Day, Silk Sonic, Lil Durk, DJ Khaled, The Lox, Method Man, and more.
H.E.R., who wowed the audience with a show-stopping performance of “We Made It,” also won the award for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist.
Jazmine Sullivan brought out Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Ari Lennox during her performance. Sullivan also gave a heartfelt speech thanking her mother and all Black women after winning the award for Album of the Year for Heaux Tales.
“This award is bigger than me,” says Sullivan during her acceptance speech. “It’s for all the women, all the Black women that are amazing and strong, that have inspired me all my life. I’m so glad that I was able to tell part of our stories. I hope I did y’all proud.”
In addition to performances, Henson kept the audience lively with celebratory comments about the impact of Black women. Henson also dressed up as Erykah Badu, Tina Turner, and other inspiring women throughout the show.
Other notable highlights from the over-three-hour show include a tribute performance for the late rapper DMX and a tribute performance for Queen Latifah, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Female emcees Rapsody, Lil Kim, MC Lyte, and Monie Love celebrated the artist and actress “who has been creating magic for decades” by performing her notable singles, “U.N.I.T.Y.” and “Ladies First.”
“I want to thank BET for creating an outlet for beautiful Blackness to thrive and shine,” said Latifah during her acceptance speech.
Here is the current list of winners of the 2021 BET Awards. The awards were presented Sunday night from Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater.
Album of the Year
Heaux Tales – Jazmine Sullivan
Best Female R&B / Pop Artist
H.E.R.
Best New Artist
Giveon
Best Group
Silk Sonic
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Megan Thee Stallion
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Lil Baby
BET Her Award
SZA – “Good Days”
Best International Act
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Best New International Act
Bree Runway (UK)
Viewer’s Choice Award
Megan Thee Stallion Ft. Beyoncé – “Savage (Remix)”
Video of the Year
Cardi B Ft. Megan Thee Stallion – “WAP”
Best Actress
Andra Day – The United States vs Billie Holiday
Sportswoman of the Year Award
Naomi Osaka
Sportsman of the Year Award
Lebron James
Lifetime Achievement Awards
Queen Latifah
Awards that have yet to be announced:
Best Collaboration
Cardi B Ft. Megan Thee Stallion – “WAP”
DaBaby Ft. Roddy Ricch – “Rockstar”
DJ Khaled Ft. Drake – “Popstar”
Jack Harlow Ft. DaBaby, Tory Lanez & Lil Wayne – “What’s Poppin (Remix)”
Megan Thee Stallion Ft. DaBaby – “Cry Baby”
Pop Smoke Ft. Lil Baby & DaBaby – “For The Night”
Best Male R&B / Pop Artist
6lack
Anderson .Paak
Chris Brown
Giveon
Tank
The Weeknd
Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Bruno Mars And Florent Déchard
Cole Bennett
Colin Tilley
Dave Meyers
Hype Williams
Best Movie
Coming 2 America
Judas and the Black Messiah
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
One Night in Miami
Soul
The United States Vs. Billie Holiday
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel / Inspirational Award
Bebe Winans – “In Jesus Name”
Cece Winans – “Never Lost”
H.E.R. – “Hold Us Together”
Kirk Franklin – “Strong God”
Marvin Sapp – “Thank You For It All”
Tamela Mann – “Touch From You”
Best Actor
Aldis Hodge
Chadwick Boseman
Damson Idris
Daniel Kaluuya
Eddie Murphy
Lakeith Stanfield
Youngstars Award
Alex R. Hibbert
Ethan Hutchison
Lonnie Chavis
Marsai Martin
Michael Epps
Storm Reid
Source-ABC
