Anita Baker shines at BET Awards

With big stars like Cardi B, Drake and Kendrick Lamar absent, the 2018 BET Awards barely handed out any trophies, but the show paid tribute to Anita Baker — and nearly brought her to tears.

Baker, an eight-time Grammy winner who dominated the R&B charts from the early ’80s to mid-90s, earned the Lifetime Achievement Award on Sunday at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

The 60-year-old used her speech to encourage the artists in the room to keep music alive.

“I would ask that the music be allowed to play, that singers are allowed to sing, and rappers are allowed to rap and poets are allowed to rhyme,” said Baker, who also was honored by host Jamie Foxx, Ledisi and Marsha Ambrosius.

SZA, who was the most nominated woman at this year’s Grammys, won best new artist.

After the show, BET announced that Kendrick Lamar had won best album for “Damn.” and best male hip-hop artist. Beyonce won best female pop/R&B artist, while Bruno Mars was named the best male pop/R&B artist.

“Girls Trip” star and comedian Tiffany Haddish won best actress and gave her speech in a taped video.

DJ Khaled was the leading nominee with six and picked up the first award of the night — best collaboration — for “Wild Thoughts” with Rihanna and Bryson Tiller.

Migos won best group and gave a fun performance.

VALERIE MACON/GETTY-AFP R&B singer-songwriter Anita Baker accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award at Sunday’s BET Awards.