BET did NOT come to play this year. This was hands down the best BET Awards we’ve seen in over a decade. It wasn’t just an award show, it was a celebration of culture, nostalgia, and everything we’ve been craving. From the moment the pre-show started to the final performance, BET reminded us why they’ve been the blueprint for Black entertainment for 25 years.
Hosted by Terrence J, Pretty Vee, Latoya Luckett, Jacob Latimore, Jessie Woo, and Mouse Jones, the preshow was a beautiful chaos. Everybody stepped out; tailored suits, beards glistening, beautiful dresses and glam on point. The host asked the right questions, kept the vibe fun, and actually made the red carpet worth watching again.
Did you guys catch the return of Freestyle Friday?! It may not have hit the same as the 106 & Park era, but it still gave us a sweet flashback of those after-school moments, watching fiery rap battles. Then came the performances, a taste of the iconic Spring Bling energy!
We got hyped when the Shop Boyz hit the stage with “Party Like a Rock Star.” Then came the Ying Yang Twins and Mario with a medley that deserved main stage love, if we’re being real. 803 Fresh came through with “Boots on the Ground” and Dancehall Queen Spice had the crowd lit. It definitely set the tone for what was to come.
On to the main show, which was hosted by Kevin Hart. The Ultimate Icon Awards went to Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg, and Kirk Franklin. These are four names that shaped music, style, and culture in their own powerful ways. Each one gave heartfelt speeches about staying strong through adversity and being thankful for longevity in the game.
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Mariah Carey tributed herself (as she should!) with a mix of new heat and classic hits.
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Jamie Foxx’s segment was emotional and needed. Craig Robinson, Babyface, Tank, Jennifer Hudson, T-Pain, Ludacris and THE Stevie Wonder came together for a moment that reminded us just how legendary Jamie really is.
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Snoop Dogg brought out LBC and Charlie Wilson, paying tribute to the West Coast in true Uncle Snoop fashion.
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Kirk Franklin delivered the performance of the night. Tamar Braxton, Muni Long, Salt, and American Idol winner Jamal Roberts joined in and took us all the way to church. That wasn’t just a performance. Kirk showed the world, why he is embraced by more than just his ministry.
There were other highlights too. Lil Wayne, GloRilla, Teyana Taylor and Ledisi performed. Also a long-overdue moment for Leon Thomas, who finally got his spotlight and showed the world what real talent looks like.
BET also paid a heartfelt tribute to the legends we lost:
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Angie Stone tributed by Britney Spencer
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Roberta Flack by Andra Day
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Quincy Jones by Luke James, Lucky Daye, and Miles Canton
Now let’s talk about the moment of the night, for me. When the stage turned into 106 & Park and we saw Free, Terrence J, Julissa, Big Tigger and Keisha Chante. It was like a family reunion. Only thing missing was AJ & Rocsi to make it whole. They all looked seasoned and stunning. This was a reminder of how much of an impact that show had on an entire generation. If you know, you KNOW.
As if that wasn’t enough, we got hit with performances from Ashanti, Amerie, B2K, Bow Wow, Jim Jones, and yes… MYA! That part of the night was a salute to the early 2000s, and we were here for every second.
While this year was elite, y’all know we keep it real. So BET, here’s a few things we hope y’all clean up next year:
- The preshow needs fewer TikTok artists with just a catchy hook. Bring us folks with full bodies of work who deserve that platform.
- The red carpet needs structure; too many people, too chaotic. Keep it for invited guests and real talent.
- Nominees and winners deserve more thought. Some categories and winners had us scratching our heads.
- Tributes should be handled with care. Better song choices and stronger voices. Hopefully next year the tributes match the weight of the legends.
To BET, and to every person behind the scenes who fought to make this year’s show special, thank you. This was a great celebration of 25 years of Black culture, music, and memory. You made us proud. You took it back and pushed it forward at the same time. We see you and appreciate you.
Let’s not wait another decade for this kind of excellence.
Please run it back next year… but even bigger.