Celeb Watch

Recap of BET Awards 2021

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June 28, 2021
3:46 pm

The BET (Black Entertainment TV) Awards, which celebrate achievements by black artists, was this year based on the theme, "Year of the Black Woman".

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Cardi B pulled a Beyoncé at Sunday’s BET Awards – using her performance with Migos to reveal she’s expecting a second baby with her partner, Offset.

The star took to the stage in a diamante-studded outfit, with a cut-out section for her baby bump.

The big announcement was confirmed shortly afterward with an Instagram post, simply captioned “#2”.

Cardi won two prizes at the ceremony, best video, and best collaboration, for WAP – a duet with Megan Thee Stallion.

The BET (Black Entertainment TV) Awards, which celebrate achievements by black artists, was this year based on the theme, “Year of the Black Woman”.

“Celebrating black women isn’t a fad or a trend, it’s a forever mood,” said actress and host Taraji P Henson as she opened the ceremony.

“There is more than enough room for all of us to thrive, because can’t nobody be like me and can’t nobody be you as you.”

Texan rapper Megan Thee Stallion was the big winner, with four prizes, including two for WAP.

She also picked up best female hip-hop artist for the second year in a row; and the viewer’s choice award for Savage – her collaboration with Beyoncé.

Rap pioneer Queen Latifah was given the lifetime achievement award and held back tears as her peers Lil’ Kim, MC Lyte, and Monie Love performed a medley of her hits.

Accepting her prize, Latifah thanked BET for “creating an outlet for beautiful blackness to thrive, to shine.

“When we couldn’t get played on the radio in other places, we couldn’t get our videos played in other places, there was BET that allowed us to be in our fullness.”

The star also brought a photo of her late mother onto the stage, saying: “I’ve always celebrated women because I was raised by a strong black woman”.

British singer Bree Runway won best new international act; while Nigeria’s Burna Boy took best international act for the third year in a row.

Elsewhere, Lil Baby took best male hip-hop artist for the first time, while H.E.R. beat 10-time winner Beyoncé in the best female R&B category.

The late Chadwick Boseman was named best actor, while Judas and the Black Messiah was named best movie – although neither award was handed out during the televised portion of the ceremony.

The show also had its share of meme-worthy moments, from Lil Nas X’s onstage kiss with one of his backup dancers to Tyler, The Creator battling a hurricane to deliver his new single Lumberjack.

Here are some of the stand-out photos from the ceremony.