2021 BET Awards
The 2021 BET Awards were not virtual this year. The BET Awards was broadcast live, with a vaccinated audience, and the theme of this year’s show was ‘Year of the Black Woman’.
For more than 20 years, the BET Awards has celebrated Black creativity, art, and excellence. The program opened with Kirk Franklin and a full stage of dancers with Lil Baby for a grand performance of We Win.
Taraji P. Henson took the hosting reigns, took the stage, and said, “And that’s how a bad bitch enters the room. Welcome to the 2021 BET Awards.” “Celebrating Black woman is not a fade it’s a forever move.” “Tonight, I’m giving my sisters their flowers, “and Taraji started by giving a flower to Lisa Rae, and Zendaya. “We going to be Black AF tonight.”
Taraji announced the first award of the evening which was Best Actress. Andra Day, Angela Bassett, Issa Rae, Jurnee Smollett, Viola Davis, and Zendaya were the nominees. The 2021 BET Award went to Andra Day. “I really didn’t expect this.” She thanked her cast, her crew, and her supporters.
The Migos were up next. With a stage in flames, full of smoke, and explosions, they performed Straightenin and Type Shit. Cardi B joined them for Type Shit. Cardi B has a baby bump! She announced it by wearing a jumpsuit with her belly exposed.
Best Group was the next category. The nominees were 21 Savage & Metro Boomin, Chole X Halle, Chris Brown & Young Thug, City Girls, Migos, and Silk Sonic. The 2021 BET Award went to Silk Sonic, Bruno Mars, Anderson, and Paak for Leave the Door Open. In his acceptance speech, Bruno Mars hinted that there was more music to come.
The next artist was H.E.R. She came down from the ceiling surrounded by lights, smoke, and playing the drums. She performed We Made It.
The ladies of the First Wives Club presented the award for Best New Artist. The 2021 BET Award went to Giveon. Giveon was not at the ceremony, so the ladies accepted the award.
Moneybagg Yo followed with his performance of Time Today. DaBaby brought it next. He performed Ball If I Want To.
The next category was Best Female R&B/Pop Artist. The nominees were Beyoncé, H.E.R. Jazmine Sullivan, Jhene Aiko, Summer Walker, and SZA. The 2021 BET Award went to H.E.R. “I’m so grateful. Thank you BET.” She was surprised to win, and during her acceptance speech she said it was important to, “Recognize each other and celebrate each other.” “I am going to continue to celebrate R&B.”
Megan Thee Stallion took the stage next in thigh high boots, blonde hair, and sunglasses. She performed Thot Shit.
Lena Waithe presented the BET Award for Video of the Year. The nominees were Cardi B, Cardi B Ft. Megan Thee Stallion, Chloe X Halle, Chris Brown & Young Thug, Drake Ft. Lil Durk, and Silk Sonic. The 2021 BET Award went to Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion for WAP. Megan accepted the award. She ended her acceptance speech with, “Black women, we are the culture and, in the future, we still going to be the culture.”
Jennifer Hudson came to celebrate Black women in our culture. She spoke of Aretha Franklin and a tribute to her legacy and life in the upcoming film, Respect. “It was my mission to tell her story and to make her proud.”
Issa Rae announced the nominees for the Best Female Hip Hop Artist. The nominees were Cardi B, Colleray, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, Latto, and Saweetie. The 2021 BET Award went to Megan Thee Stallion. She was shocked as she took the stage “I really forgot to say thank you Card for even putting me on WAP.” She thanked her mother, and said she is the reason she keeps going. “I want to thank all the women who support me. I really appreciate it.”
Taraji changed into the looks of many famous Black women throughout the program. When she was Erykah Badu she roamed the audience and pretended to talk to Mary Jane.
The next category was the BET HER Award. The nominees were Alicia Keys and Khalid for So Done, Brandy and Chance the Rapper for Baby Mama, Bri Steves for Anti Queen, Chole X Hale for Baby Girl, Ciara and Ester Dean for Rooted, and SZA for Good Days. The 2021 BET Award went to SZA. She was not at the ceremony, so her award was accepted for her.
Roddy Ricch performed Late At Night.
Saweetie followed with the nominees for Album of the Year. The 2021 BET Award went Jazmine Sullivan for Pick Up Your Feelings. She came with her mother, a cancer survivor. Saweetie cried and said she was so grateful to God that her mother is still with her to see her win the award. “I’m so grateful I love you all. Keep shining. Keep being Black.”
Lil Nas X performed Montero in Egyptian style attire and a full stage of Egyptian dancers and flames.
Naomi Campbell announced the nominees for the Best Male Hip Hop Artist. DaBaby Drake, Cole, Jack Harlow, Lil Baby, and Pop Smoke were nominated. The 2021 BET Award went to Lil Baby for The Big Picture.
Silk Sonic performed Leave the Door Open. Bruno Mars killed it.
Taraji gave the history and origins of twerking and buddy shaking before The City Girls performed Twekulator.
The next category was Best International Act. The 2021 BET Award went to Burna Boy from Nigeria. “Thank you to my mom, the most beautiful woman on earth.
BET honored Golden Globe-winning and Academy Award-nominated actor and artist Queen Latifah with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. The Queen’s honor is well earned and deserved. Congratulations Queen! Mc Lyte led the sing-along of the Queens hits as Queen Latifah sat in the audience and nodded and smiled.
Queen Latifah came to the stage almost in tears. She brought her father to the stage and her mother in a photo. “Thank you, my sisters.” “I’m so extremely moved I don’t even know what to say.” “I want to thank God because God decided this whole thing would be this way.” She thanked BET and everyone in the audience for all the support. She also thanked a list of names, and she thanked her partner in life. “Peace! Happy pride!”
DJ Khaled, Lil Baby, and Lil Durk took the stage together and performed Every Chance I Get. Megan Thee Stallion joined and performed I Did It.
Ashanti and DJ Cassidy announced the nominees for the Viewer’s Choice Award. The 2021 BET Award went to Megan Thee Stallion and Beyoncé for Savage. “Everybody in the whole wide world knows that I love Beyoncé. She thanked Beyoncé and God.
The next performance came from Andra Day. She sang Strange Fruit.
BET honored the fallen in an In Memoriam segment which demonstrated all the loss we have seen this past year and then went into a powerful tribute to DMX.
Tarija thanked the audience and viewers and the whole BET family as she closed the program.
Congratulations to all the winners of the 2021 BET Awards!
Tanya Hart
