2019 BET Awards Highlights: Winners, Performances, Tributes and More

The Blackest Celebration on television, the 19th Annual BET Awards took place last night, and the festivities didn’t fall short of memorable moments.

Cardi B kicked the night off with an outstanding performance of her latest single “Press” and her husband, Offset, showed off his dance moves to their song, ”Clout.” At the end of the night, Cardi took home BET Awards for Female Artist Of The Year and Album Of The Year.

The host of the evening, Regina Hall, made her big entrance with an ode to DC and its history of go-go music,  performing a rendition of “Da Butt” with Suga Bear from E.U. and James Funk from Rare Essence. 

Lil NasX and Billy Ray Cyrus took the stage together for the first-ever televised performance of their current Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single “Old Town Road,” and breakout artist #Lizzo gave a captivating performance of her hit “Truth Hurts,” complete with a signature flute solo.

Rihanna was in attendance at the awards ceremony this year and presented Mary J. Blige with the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award before the Queen of Hip Hop Soul herself took to the stage to perform her many hits with special guest appearances by Lil Kim and Method Man. And of course, Mary Killed the stage with her ever smooth signature two-step.

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The “Exonerated Five” received a standing ovation after sharing a powerful message about the value and importance of truth before introducing performers H.E.R. and YBN Cordae. 

Taraji P. Henson presented producer, director, actor, screenwriter, playwright and author #TylerPerry with the Ultimate Icon Award celebrating his cultural impact. During his powerful acceptance speech, Perry said, “When I built my studio, I built it in a neighborhood that is one of the poorest black neighborhoods in Atlanta so that young black kids could see that a black man did that, and they can do it too.” 

Perry continued, “I was trying to help somebody cross. The studio was once a Confederate Army base, which meant that there was Confederate soldiers on that base, plotting and planning on how to keep 3.9 million Negroes enslaved. Now that land is owned by one Negro.”

Prolific artist and activist, Nipsey Hussle was posthumously honored with the Humanitarian Award for his commitment to uniting communities through philanthropy and peace.

Nipsey’s family accepted the award on his behalf and thanked his fans and community for their support, and to wrap the show John Legend, DJ Khaled, YG and Marsha Ambrosius performed in memory of the L.A. native. Nipsey also won Best Male Hip Hop Artist. #TheMarathonContinues

Many other awards were received throughout the evening by artists such as:

Lil Baby, who won Best New Artist, Migos won Best Group, Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” won Video of the Year, Ella Mai won the Viewers Choice Award, Beyonce won Best Female R&B Artist and Snoop Dogg won the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel Award for his single “Blessing Me Again,” and Marsai Martin took home the award for YoungStars of 2019. 

What were some of your favorite moments from the 2019 BET Awards show?