NEW YORK (AP) – The BET Awards served as an extension of the voices of blacks protesting on the streets about the inequalities blacks face on a daily basis, as the artists used their performances to highlight the Black Lives Matter movement, the civil rights and the lives of those lost by police officers, including George Floyd.
DaBaby, his face pressed to the ground as an officer’s knee paralyzed his neck, replicating the last moments of Floyd’s life, rapped a verse from the Black Lives Matter remix of his hit song “Rockstar”. Her performance also featured images of protests, a reflection of today’s world in the wake of Floyd’s death and the deaths of others, including Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.
Sunday’s show, a virtual event due to the coronavirus pandemic, featured a series of highly produced, well-crafted, and recorded performances. The BET Awards started with black artists rapping and singing hymns about the black experience and the fight for equal rights.
12-year-old sensation Keedron Bryant, who drew attention on social media with his passionate performance about being a young black man in today’s world, kicked off the show with an a cappella performance of his poignant song “I Just Wanna Live,” that earned him a record deal. That was followed by a stellar performance from Public Enemy’s 1989 anthem “Fight the Power,” with Nas, Black Thought, Rapsody and YG adding new lyrics to the song, including naming Taylor and others.
Michelle Obama highlighted Beyoncé’s commitment to the black community before handing her the humanitarian award and said: “You can see him in everything he does, from his music that gives voice to black joy and pain, to his activism that demands justice for blacks live. “
Beyoncé used her speech to encourage viewers to vote “as if our lives depended on it” in the upcoming election.
“I want to dedicate this award to all my brothers out there, to all my sisters out there inspiring, marching and fighting for change. Their voices are being heard and they are demonstrating to our ancestors that their struggles were not in vain. Now we have one more thing we must do to walk in our true power, and that is voting, “he said. “There are people who trust us to stay home during local and primary elections in states across the country. We have to vote as if our lives depended on it, because it is.”
Sunday’s show celebrated BET’s 20th award show and BET’s 40th anniversary as a network. The three-hour event, which aired for the first time on CBS, was hosted by comedian, actress, and television personality Amanda Seales, who starred in several skits, including one about women who identify as “Karen,” a stereotype and term common for racist and privileged white women.
Other artists were politicians during their performances, including Roddy Ricch, who wore a Black Lives Matter t-shirt while rapping, Alicia Keys, Anderson Paak, and Jay Rock, as well as brothers SiR and D Smoke, who performed with their mother Jackie Gouché.
Lil Wayne paid tribute to NBA icon Kobe Bryant, who died in January, with a performance of his 2009 song “Kobe Bryant,” weaving new lyrics. Wayne Brady, in a shiny suit, rolled on a piano while singing a mix of Little Richard hits.
Nipsey Hussle, who was named best male hip-hop artist and won the humanitarian award at last year’s BET Awards, won the video of the year for “Higher,” a clip he shot with DJ Khaled and John Legend shortly before he died. .
“This is for Nipsey Hussle and hip-hop,” Khaled said in a recorded video. “Nipsey Hussle, thanks for working with me on this ‘Superior’ album. I appreciate you. The Nipsey family, we love you.”
The BET Awards, one of the first award shows to be broadcast virtually, featured performances that were sharp with artistic production on stage, giving additional life to the songs being performed. It was a welcome break from the “living room” and home performances that hundreds of artists have shared on social media since the March pandemic.
Chloe x Halle, who successfully performed on various television shows and events during the pandemic while promoting her new album, provided an epic rendition of her songs “Do It” and “Forgive Me”. R&B star Summer Walker, who played the guitar and sang, was also impressive during her performance, which featured Usher.
Megan Thee Stallion went to the desert with dancers in the background as she moved and hit her number 1 hit “Savage”. She won the best female hip-hop artist, beating Cardi B and Nicki Minaj.
“Oh my gosh, I probably shot this video like 10 times. It feels so crazy to do this from home,” he said. “I used to watch the BET Awards all the time thinking, ‘Someday I’ll be the one to accept my award,’ and now it is.”
Although the BET Awards are technically about awarding trophies, the awards were an afterthought. Richh won Album of the Year for her debut album, “Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial”; Lizzo named best female R&B / pop artist; and Burna Boy won the best international act.
The BET Awards are an annual celebration of black culture and entertainment, and this year’s ceremony is the first major awards ceremony since Floyd’s death on May 25 at the hands of Minneapolis police, sparking protests. targets aimed at reforming police actions and removing statues and symbols considered racist from public places.
By MESFIN FEKADU AP Music Writer
