BET Awards: Celebrating 50 Years of Hip-Hop
LOS ANGELES –
A masked Lil Uzi Vert opened the 2023 BET Awards on a platform suspended from the ceiling and jumped into a fireworks-filled kickoff performance before the show quickly turned into a celebration of hip-hop’s early days.
For a show that promised to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop, it set the stage for a hip-hop history lesson: DJ Kid Capri led the audience through a medley of the earliest days of 1980s New York City rap culture with The Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight ,” MC LYTE’s “Cha Cha Cha,” D-NICE’s “Call ME D-Nice,” and Big Daddy Kane’s “Raw,” in a partial cover of “Just A Friend,” a tribute to the late great Biz Markie.
“I wouldn’t be on stage in this industry tonight if it wasn’t for one person,” said Big Daddy Kane in introducing the song. “Rest in peace.” He invited audience members to sing along to the song’s catchy chorus and point to a photo of Markie showing on stage.
Vert dropped the show above the stage for “Spin Again,” then switched to “Just Wanna Rock.”
The night’s first prize, the coveted Best New Artist, went to Coco Jones, in an all-female artist category.
“To all my black girls, we have to fight a little harder to get what we deserve,” she said in her acceptance speech. “But don’t stop fighting, even if it doesn’t make sense. And you’re not sure how you’re going to get out of those circumstances. Keep pushing, because we deserve great things.”
It was followed by a supermarket-themed performance of AP’s pick for club song of the summer, Latto’s “Put It On Da Floor Again”, sans artist Cardi B, but no less catchy. It ended with a text tribute: “RIP Shawty Lo,” a screen read.
Without a presenter, the show felt like a party. DJ Kid Capri spun some of Tupac’s “Hail Mary,” to tease a crash course in West Coast rap: Warren G’s “Regulate,” Yo-Yo’s “You Can’t Play With My Yo-Yo,” Tyga’s “Rack City” , and E-40’s “Tell Me When To Go.”
Then, a vibe shift courtesy of Jones, with a glamorous take on her soulful ballad “ICU,” featuring a string quartet.
Teyana “Spike Tey” Taylor won Video Director of the Year, which was accepted by her mother Nikki Taylor — like a true matriarch, she interrupted the show to video call her daughter and let her have the moment.
The show will air live on BET, BET HER, and numerous Paramount channels, including Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, and VH1.
Drake led the nominations, with seven: he’s up for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist and Male R&B/Pop Artist, as well as a few shared titles, including Best Collaboration and Viewer’s Choice with Future and Tems for their song “Wait for U.” Drake is also nominated for album of the year and best group for his collaboration with 21 Savage, “Her Loss”, and the viewer’s choice for their hit song “Jimmy Cooks”.
Lizzo and 21 Savage are tied for second most nominees, with five each.
Busta Rhymes takes home the Lifetime Achievement Award – one of the highest honors at the ceremony, given to Sean “Diddy” Combs last year. The 12-time Grammy Award-nominated rapper, producer and pioneering hip-hop figure is widely regarded as one of the great MCs, with seven Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits to his name.
Bia, Coi Leray, Cutty Ranks, Dexta Daps, MOP, Rah Digga, ScarLip, Spice, Supercat and Swizz Beatz are slated to pay tribute to Rhymes.
It’s one of many moments honoring the hip-hop legacy that BET has supported for decades with shows like “Rap City” and “106 & Park.”
Patti Labelle will also pay tribute to the late Tina Turner.
Other artists include Chief Keef, DJ Unk, Fast Life Yungstaz & Easton (FLY), Fat Joe, Soulja Boy, Ying Yang Twins and Yo-Yo.
