The 2015 BET Awards shaped up to be very best in a five year stretch of very good BET Awards shows.
As is often the case, the very best stars in the Black pantheon of entertainment elite, as well as trans-racially affiliated white artists, were in attendance to a BET Awards that was expertly hosted by the comic styling of Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson of the hit ABC comedy “Black-ish.”
From the very beginning, the dynamic duo successfully and seamlessly segue between silly skits, award presentation and snappy repartee in between performances by P. Diddy, Lil’ Kim and the rest of Bad Boy, The Weeknd and Alicia Keyes, Big Sean, Chris Brown, Nikki Minaj and Meek Mills, as well as French Montana, Patti LaBelle and many more. The legendary MC Lyte used her signature vocals to punctuate the evening’s festivities as the lead announcer as well.
Despite the great performance turned in by Diddy, there were quite a few chuckles as he fell through an opening in the stage. However, the saying is the show must go on, and he continued on in true showmanship fashion without a hitch.
“Empire” was definitely in the house as Jussie Smollett, Yazz and Serayah performed as well. Meanwhile, Smoke Robinson shut ‘em all down with a speech that both admonished younger performers for their narccisism, but uplifted them for their talents as well.
Sam Smith won the BET Award for Best New Artist. But Anderson accepted the award in his place wearing a hysterical toupee based upon the crooner’s actual hairstyle.
Michael B. Jordan, star of summer blockbuster hopeful The Fantastic Four, gave a rousing tribute to those who fell to police brutality, as well as acknowledgement of those who have fought white supremacy from Ferguson, North Charleston, Los Angeles, New York and all places in between. This is significant seeing as though the absence of such overtures on other shows drew the ire of the Black digital illuminate.
Homage to Janet Jackson performed by Tinashe, Jason Derulo, Ciara and was capped by an appearance by Ms. Jackson herself to accept the Ultimate Icon Award.
As usual, there were naturally many different individuals in the media and in the blogosphere as well who felt the BET Awards haven’t changed one bit. However, I can recall a time of industry tensions among artists, rampant beef on wax and behind the scenes, horrid performances and an all around adversarial atmosphere between new and old artists. This award show was filled with love, stellar performances and tributes to the greats. But whether one enjoyed it or not, it’s still about entertainment. Were you not amused? All and all, we ain’t mad at the 2015 BET Awards.
Here’s a complete list of last night’s winners.
Best New Artist
Dej Loaf
Fetty Wap
Rae Sremmurd
Sam Smith** WINNER
Tinashe
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Azealia Banks
Nicki Minaj** WINNER
Tink
Iggy Azalea
Trina
Dej Loaf
Also Read: Diddy, Mase, Lil’ Kim Light Up Stage With Surprise BET Awards Bad Boy Records Reunion (Video)
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
J. Cole
Drake
Common
Kendrick Lamar** Winner
Big Sean
Wale
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé** WINNER
Janelle Monáe
Jhené Aiko
Ciara
Rihanna
K. Michelle
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
The Weeknd
John Legend
Trey Songz
Usher
August Alsina
Chris Brown** WINNER
Also Read: Rihanna Drops ‘B-tch Better Have My Money’ Preview Clip at BET Awards (Video)
Best Group
A$AP Mob
Migos
Rae Sremmurd ** WINNER
Rich Gang
Young Money
Jodeci
Best Collaboration
Chris Brown – “Loyal (feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga)”
Big Sean – “I Don’t F**k with You (feat. E-40)”
August Alsina – “No Love (Remix) [feat. Nicki Minaj]”
Common & John Legend – “Glory” ** WINNER
Chris Brown – “New Flame (feat. Usher & Rick Ross)”
Mark Ronson – “Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)”
Best Actress
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington
Taraji P. Henson ** WINNER
Tracee Ellis Ross
Viola Davis
Best Actor
Anthony Anderson
Idris Elba
Jussie Smollett
Kevin Hart
Terrence Howard** WINNER
Youngstars Award
Jacob Latimore
Jaden Smith
fact
Quevenzhané Wallis
Zendaya
Best Movie
“Annie”
“Beyond the Lights”
“Selma” ** WINNER
“Think Like a Man Too”
“Top Five”
Best Gospel Artist
Deitrick Haddon
Erica Campbell
Fred Hammond
Lecrae ** WINNER
Mali Music
Michelle Williams
Video of the Year
Beyoncé – “7/11″ ** WINNER
Chris Brown – “New Flame (feat. Usher & Rick Ross)”
Chris Brown – “Loyal (feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga)”
Big Sean – “I Don’t F**k with You (feat. E-40)”
Nicki Minaj – “Anaconda”
Common & John Legend – “Glory”
Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Beyoncé, Ed Burke & Todd Tourso ** WINNER
Chris Robinson
Fatima Robinson
Hype Williams
Sportswoman of the Year
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Serena Williams ** WINNER
Skylar Diggins
Venus Williams
Sportsman of the Year
Chris Paul
Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Lebron James
Marshawn Lynch
Stephen Curry ** WINNER
Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
Beyoncé – “7/11″
Dej Loaf – “Try Me”
Kendrick Lamar – “i”
Nicki Minaj – “Only feat. Drake, Lil Wayne & Chris Brown)” ** WINNER
Rae Sremmurd – “Throw Sum Mo (feat. Nicki Minaj & Young Thug)”
The Weeknd – “Earned It”
Centric Award
Avery Sunshine – “Call My Name”
Jazmine Sullivan – “Dumb (feat. Meek Mill)”
Mark Ronson – “Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)”
Sam Smith – “Stay with Me (feat. Mary J. Blige)”
The Weeknd – “Earned It”** WINNER
Read more at https://eurweb.com/2015/06/the-complete-list-of-winners-2015-bet-awards/#x9vdpXGiS26ExvB2.99
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