The 2023 BET Awards held at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles. The event took place on Sunday, 25th June, 2023 and it featured a celebration of 50 years of hip-hop, with special musical medleys curated by Kid Capri to entertain the audience.
The first performance of the night was from Lil Uzi Vert, following which, hip-hop pioneers took to the stage; from the Sugar Hill Gang to MC Lyte (who also served as the announcer of the night), D-Nice and Big Daddy Kane. There was also a sing-along to the late Biz Markie’s “Just a Friend.” Other performers of the night included Fat Joe, Ja Rule, Jeezy, Kid ‘N Play, Master P, Redman, Remy Ma, Soulja Boy, Styles P, Warren G, Trina, and Trick Daddy.
One of the highlights of the night was Offset and Quavo reuniting to pay homage to the late Takeoff, who was the third member of the Migos trio. The legendary Patti LaBelle also paid tribute to the late Queen of Rock & Roll, Tina Turner, who passed on recently. Busta Rhymes was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award
Drake led the 2023 nominees with up to seven nominations, including Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Album of the Year “for Her Loss” with 21 Savage, and the Viewer’s Choice Award. 21 Savage and Lizzo had five nominations each, while Beyoncé, Burna Boy, Chris Brown, Ice Spice, and SZA followed closely with four nominations each.
As they celebrated the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, Busta Rhymes, a hip-hop artist was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Nigeria was also well represented as superstars, Burna Boy and Tems emerged winners of ‘Best International Act’ and ‘Best Collaboration’ respectively, and talented singer, Davido, delivered an electrifying performance from his latest album.
The award winners for the night included:
ALBUM OF THE YEAR (TIE)
SOS – SZA
RENAISSANCE – Beyoncé
BEST COLLABORATION
WAIT FOR U – Future feat. Drake & Tems
BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST
SZA
BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST (TIE)
Chris Brown
Usher
BEST NEW ARTIST
Coco Jones
BEST GROUP
Drake x 21 Savage
BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST
Latto
BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST
Kendrick Lamar
DR. BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
Bless Me – Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin
BET HER AWARD
Break My Soul – Beyoncé
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Kill Bill – SZA
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Teyana “Spike Tey” Taylor
BEST MOVIE
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
BEST ACTRESS
Angela Bassett
BEST ACTOR
Damson Idris
YOUNGSTARS AWARD
Marsai Martin
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Angel Reese
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
Jalen Hurts
VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD
Break My Soul – Beyoncé
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
Burna Boy
Although the BET awards have passed, there are a number of persons who believe that some nominees who did not win, were better suited for the awards than those who won. If you are one of those, feel free to share your views in the comments.
