Great Performances And Tributes To Legends Highlight BET Awards Show

Great Show

THE MICROSOFT THEATER in LOS ANGELES hosted The BET Awards last night (6/26), hosted by ANTHONY ANDERSON and TRACEE ELLIS ROSS.

Tributes were among the highlights of the evening, with legends from PRINCE to MUHAMMAD ALI remembered. Dozens of performers excited both those in attendance as well as those watching on several TV outlets. Humanitarian Award winner JESSE WILLIAMS capped the night with an impassioned speech. 

USA TODAY reports, "WILLIAMS took the stage at the BET Awards to accept the honor for humanitarian of the year. But the award was not for him, as the former public school teacher, GREY’S ANATOMY breakout and ADVANCEMENT PROJECT board member explained in his politically charged speech."

"This is for the real organizers all over the country. The activists, the civil rights attorneys, the struggling parents, the families, the teachers of students that are realizing that a system built to divide and impoverish and destroy us cannot stand if we do," said WILLIAMS, adding an homage to the unsung heroes in the crusade against systemic racism, "the "black women who have spent their lifetimes dedicated to nurturing everyone before themselves. We can and will do better for you."

The Winners

• Video of the Year — BEYONCE, "Formation"
• Best Male R&B/Pop Artist — BRYSON TILLER
• Best Female R&B/Pop Artist — BEYONCE
• Best Male Hip-Hop Artist — DRAKE
• Best Female Hip-Hop Artist — NICKI MINAJ
• Best New Artist — BRYSON TILLER
• Best Group — DRAKE and FUTURE
• Best Collaboration — RIHANNA featuring DRAKE, "Work"
• Best Gospel — KIRK FRANKLIN
• Youngstars Award — AMANDLA STENBERG
• Coca-Cola Viewers' Choice — BEYONCE
• Centric Award — BEYONCE, "Formation"
• Video Director of the Year — DIRECTOR X
• Best Actor — MICHAEL B. JORDAN
• Best Actress — TARAJI P. HENSON
• Best Movie — "Straight Outta Compton"
• Sportswoman of the Year — SERENA WILLIAMS
• Sportsman of the Year — STEPHEN CURRY
• Humanitarian Award — JESSE WILLIAMS
• Lifetime Achievement — SAMUEL L. JACKSON
• Best International Act, U.K. — SKEPTA
• Best International Act, AFRICA — WIZKID (NIGERIA)

See the performances and all the coverage at www.bet.com/shows/bet-awards.html.

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