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2021 BET Awards Celebrate Biggest Names in Entertainment

The 2021 BET Awards celebrated some of the biggest Hollywood celebrities in music, film, and sports on Sunday night. Fans saw their favorite entertainers receive awards, stellar performances, and even a huge surprise from Cardi B!

The awards show was hosted by Golden Globe-winning actress Taraji P. Henson. During the show, Taraji said “…this is where we matter, where our Black entertainment matters. It’s 2021 and we are celebrating the year of the Black woman.”

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Presenters for the night included stars like Chloe Bailey, Ciara, Ashanti, and Saweetie. The night was full of stunning celebrities, like Zendaya, who wore Beyoncé’s Versace dress from when she performed “Crazy in Love” at the BET Awards back in 2003. Jennifer Hudson also paid tribute to Aretha Franklin, donning a necklace that read “RESPECT” in anticipation for the upcoming biopic where Jennifer plays the late artist.

BET Awards 2021: Top winners of the night

Winners were honored in over 100 categories that celebrated entertainment and culture.

Performer Jazmine Sullivan won Album of the Year for Heux Tales, which she released back in January. The Best New Artist Award went to R&B singer and songwriter Giveon.

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s collaboration “WAP” won Best Collaboration and Video of the Year. Megan also took home the Viewer’s Choice Award for her “Savage Remix” featuring Beyoncé.

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The critically acclaimed film Judas and the Black Messiah was awarded this year’s Best Movie. The late Chadwick Boseman received the award for Best Actor and Andra Day won Best Actress for her performance in the biographical film The United States vs. Billie Holiday.


 
 
 
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Top tennis player Naomi Osaka was awarded Sportswoman of the Year and basketball legend LeBron James received Sportsman of the Year.

BET Awards 2021: Performances that wowed the audience

The BET Awards were filled with spectacular performances from the biggest names in Hip Hop and R&B.

Best Female Hip Hop Artist winner Megan Thee Stallion delivered a fierce performance of her most recent single “Thot Shit” that had fans cheering her on both in-person and at home.

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Lil Nas X gave a performance that celebrated Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time.” He performed his hit song “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” on a set made to resemble the Egyptian backdrop of the MJ music video.

Best Group winners Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak) traveled throughout the venue delivering a smooth performance of their hit “Leave The Door Open.” At the end, they teased a new song from their upcoming album An Evening with Silk Sonic.

Best Male Hip Hop Artist Winner Lil Baby opened the show with Kirk Franklin performing their song “We Win” from the soundtrack for the upcoming film Space Jam: A New Legacy. 

Best Female/R&B Artist H.E.R. gave an outstanding performance of her hit “We Made It,” which opened with her on the drums suspended in the air, and went on to feature an electrifying guitar solo.

Tyler, the Creator made his BET Awards debut performing “LUMBERJACK” from his new album Call Me If You Get Lost.

BET Awards 2021: DMX Tribute

Artists Swizz Beatz, Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Griselda, Lil Buck, and The Lox paid tribute to the late legend DMX with performances of his hits. Curated by Swizz Beatz, the tribute included DMX songs like “Slipping,” “Where the Hood At?,” “Party Up,” and “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem.”

Actor Michael K. Williams also made an appearance during the performance, portraying DMX himself.

BET Awards 2021: Queen Latifah honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

Artist and actress Queen Latifah was awarded with the Lifetime Achievement BET Award. This award recognizes the heights she has taken her career to over the past 30 years.

In a press release, the BET Awards called Queen Latifah “one of the most versatile creatives of the time.” The icon was presented with the award after a tribute performance of “Ladies First” by Rapsody and Monie Love and “U.N.I.T.Y.” by Lil’ Kim and MC Lyte.

During her acceptance speech, Queen Latifah said that “she was so extremely moved” and thanked BET “for creating an outlet for beautiful Blackness to thrive, to shine.”

BET Awards 2021: Cardi B revealed she’s pregnant

Rap trio Migos gave a performance of “Type Shit” with rapper Cardi B. When Cardi entered the stage, fans quickly saw that she was showing off a baby bump.


 
 
 
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This marks Cardi B’s second child with Migos rapper and husband Offset. The two welcomed their first daughter, Kulture Kiari Cephus, in July 2018.

Fans quickly took to social media to share their reactions to the exciting news.

Makho said that Cardi B looked “bomb AF” while giving her performance and we’d have to agree!

Fran said that she thought Cardi B gave a superior performance to that of Migos, which is no easy feat when you’re pregnant!

Lisa speculated that perhaps a pregnancy means a new Cardi B album soon… ?

We had a blast reliving all of the best moments from Sunday’s BET Awards! Head over to our Instagram to let us know which parts of the night you enjoyed most!

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