2020 BET Awards
The 2020 BET Awards was almost shuttered by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the annual broadcast celebrating black excellence across music, film, television, sports, and philanthropy managed to make it through as a virtual event.
This was the 20th BET Awards and was hosted by actress and comedian Amanda Seales. The BET awards have 21 categories and winners are selected by BET’s Voting Academy made up of fans and a group of entertainment professionals. This year the ceremony aired across BET and Viacom CBS networks, the first time the awards were aired by a national broadcast network.
The virtual ceremony opened with a focus on the protests and unrest across the country with the young singer Keedron Bryant who performed the heartfelt gospel song, I Just Want to Live. He was followed by Public Enemy performing, Fight the Power with Chuck D and Flavor Flav.
Amanda Seales opened the 2020 BET Awards on a virtual set performing her monologue alone. This year the program was completely focus was on issues of race, protests, fighting injustice, and accepting nothing less than real change. Amanda said she agrees with her detractors when they say she always talks about race, “All Amanda ever does is talk about race,” and she said, “America is acting brand new about racism.”
After Amanda’s monologue, Roddy Ricch performed his hits, High Fashion, and The Box.
Roddy Ricch Performs “High Fashion” & “The Box” Live! | BET Awards 20
Roddy Ricch delivers a live performance of his hit tracks “High Fashion” and “The Box” for the 2020 BET Awards! #BETAwards20 #RoddyRicch SUBSCRIBE to #BET NO…
Amanda took a moment to introduce and to honor Nicholas Johnson. Nicholas received the Shine a Light Award for being Princeton’s’ first black Valedictorian.
John Legend followed with a performance of, Never Break.
Black-ish star Marsai Martin announced the category of Best Female Hip Hop Artist, and Megan Thee Stallion was the 2020 BET Award winner.
Tracee Ellis Ross introduced Masego who performed, Queen Tings.
Amanda came back with a Zoom parody featuring “Karen’s,” the name used for today’s racist white woman. In the Zoom session, the “Karen’s” were talking to each other and become outraged when they realize Amanda wasn’t white.
D-Smoke and Sir performed, Let Go.
D Smoke & SiR Perform “Let Go” And “Black Habits” | BET Awards 20
D Smoke & SiR serenade us with performances of “Let Go” and “Black Habits” during the BET Awards 2020! #BETAwards20 #DSmoke #SiR SUBSCRIBE to #BET NOW! ►► ht…
Lizzo introduced the nominees for Video of the Year Award, and the 2020 BET Award went to DJ Khaled for Higher featuring Nipsey Hussle, and John Legend. DJ Khaled thanked John Legend and dedicated the award to Nipsey Hussle.
Amanda wiped out a few jokes before introducing Megan Thee Stallion and her video music performances of Girls In The Hood and Savage.
Megan Thee Stallion Is A Hot Girl With “Girls In The Hood” & “Savage” Performance | BET Awards 20
Megan Thee Stallion performs her new track “Girls In The Hood” and turns up to “Savage” for the 2020 BET Awards! SUBSCRIBE to #BET NOW! ►► http://bit.ly/1U0v…
The category Best International Acts was next, and nominees were introduced by Naomi Campbell. The 2020 BET Award went to Burna Boy.
DaBaby followed with his powerful Black Lives Matter statement in, Rockstar.
DaBaby & Roddy Ricch Make Powerful Statement In “Rockstar” Performance | BET Awards 20
DaBaby & Roddy Ricch perform “Rockstar” at the 2020 BET Awards. #DaBaby #RoddyRicch #BETAwards SUBSCRIBE to #BET NOW! ►► http://bit.ly/1U0v9xG Download the B…
Jennifer Hudson performed Young, Gifted & Black from the upcoming biographical drama on the life of Aretha Franklin in which Jennifer stars. And we got a sneak preview of the trailer from the movie appropriately titled, Respect.
Jennifer Hudson Performs “Young, Gifted & Black” | BET Awards 2020
We were blown away by Jennifer Hudson’s powerful performance at the #BETAwards! Her rendition of Aretha Franklin’s “Young, Gifted and Black” is one of the ma…
Anderson Paak performed, Lockdown featuring Jay Rock. Kirk Franklin introduced Lonr who performed, Make the Most featuring H.E.R. Little Richard was remembered by Wayne Brady. He paid tribute to Little Richard’s career and performed Lucille, Good Golly Miss Molly, Long Tall Sally, and Tutti Frutti.
The In Memoriam segment followed with all the beautiful lives and talents we lost this past year. And Lil Wayne performed the song he dedicated to the memory of Kobe Bryant.
The Best R&B Pop Vocalist category was next, and the 2020 BET Award went to Lizzo.
Alicia Keys followed with a performance of her enormously powerful song, Perfect Way to Die.
Chloe X Halle, sisters Chloe, and Halle Bailey performed their two new hits, Forgive Me and Do It.
Donnie Simpson, host of BET’s Video Soul kicked-off the tribute to BET’s 40 years on the air and the space they provided for Black creativity and expression. BET founder, Bob Johnson spoke about creating this outlet the impact BET had on black entertainment.
Summer Walker and Usher performed Come Thru.
Album of the Year Award was next, and the 2020 BET Award went to Roddy Ricch for Antisocial.
Jonathan McReynolds performed his moving hit, People, and Kane Brown performed his beautiful song, Worldwide Beautiful.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama presented Beyoncé with the 2020 BET Awards Humanitarian of the Year Honoree. Many entertainers spoke of the various humanitarian projects that Beyoncé implements for black and brown communities in this country and globally.
In her virtual acceptance speech, Beyoncé dedicated the award to those who are marching for change, and said, “Vote like your life depends on it, because it does.”
Kierra Sheard and Tasha Cobbs performed a stirring rendition of, Something Has to Break and brought the broadcast to a close.
Being a virtual event was definitely different, but the 2020 BET Awards will be remembered for being socially significant, full of potent performances, and delivering powerful messages.
Tanya Hart
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