*BET AWARDS*: Tributes and Performances Rule the Night

Sunday night’s BET Awards had some classy tributes to Mary J. Blige and Nipsey Hussle, mixed with some solid performances. 

The show opened up with Cardi B and Offset putting everyone on notice with their performance that included both husband and wife performing “Clout” into “Press,” complete with full choreography. 

Regina Hall kept everyone laughing as host, opening up with a video package parodying Beyonce’s Homecoming and kicking things off with a go-go music performance. 

Lil Nas X made the most of the spotlight, riding into Staples Center on horseback with Billy Ray Cyrus, before performing “Old Town Road” on a set designed to look like a Wild West saloon. 

Mary J. Blige got her roses when she received the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to her by Rihanna. A video package led into a career retrospective medley starring Mary J. with guest stars, including Method Man and Lil’ Kim.

The special, which featured a blue carpet in tribute to Nipsey Hussle during the pre-show, paid tribute to Nipsey towards the end. His family accepted the Humanitarian Award on his behalf, with Nip’s mom giving the world closure by telling a story about the moment she learned her son had been shot. After, DJ Khaled led a tribute featuring a gospel choir. YG, John Legend and Marsha Ambrosius also performed musical tributes. 

Performances included Da Baby‘s “Suge,” Fantasia and Lizzo doing “Truth Hurts,” Lil Baby, Migos and Mustard on”Pure Water,” and DJ Khaled and Meek Mill.

THE WINNERS

• BEST NEW ARTIST: Lil Baby
• BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT: Burna Boy (Nigeria)
• BEST ACTRESS: Regina King
• BEST GROUP: Migos
• DR. BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD: Snoop Dogg featuring Rance Allen “Blessing Me Again”
• YOUNGSTARS AWARD: Marsai Martin
• BEST MOVIE: Blackkklansman
• ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Cardi B — Invasion of Privacy
• COCA-COLA VIEWERS’ CHOICE AWARD: Ella Mai — “Trip”
• BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST: Beyonce
• BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST: Bruno Mars
• BEST COLLABORATION: Travis Scott featuring Drake “Sicko Mode”
• BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST: Nipsey Hussle
• BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST: Cardi B
• VIDEO OF THE YEAR: Childish Gambino “This Is America”
• VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR: Karena Evans
• BEST NEW INTERNATIONAL ACT: ShoMadjozi 
• BEST ACTOR: Michael B. Jordan
• SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR: Stephen Curry
• BET Her Award: H.E.R. – “Hard Place”
• ULTIMATE ICON: Tyler Perry
• LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT: Mary J. Blige
• HUMANITARIAN AWARD: Nipsey Hussle