Cardi B, Queen Latifah, Lil Nas X win accolades at BET Awards
Cardi B didn’t stay to accept the honour, but Megan Thee Stallion rushed to the stage to pick up the award, forgeting to thank Cardi during her speech
Cardi B’s “WAP” had new meaning at the BET Awards: winning and pregnant. The Grammy-winning star debuted her baby bump during a live performance on Sunday alongside husband Offset as well as Quavo and Takeoff of Migos. She also won video of the year for her Megan Thee Stallionassisted No. 1 hit “WAP.” Cardi B didn’t stay to accept the honour at the Microsot Theater in Los Angeles, but Megan Thee Stallion rushed to the stage to pick up the award, forgeting to thank Cardi during her speech. But the “Savage” rapper made up for it when she won best female hip-hop artist moments later.
Queen Latifah was honoured for her illustrious career as a Grammy-winning rapper, a Golden Globe-winning actor and an Emmy-winning TV producer. Rapsody and Monie Love kicked off the tribute with a performance of “Ladies First,” which was followed by Lil Kim and MC Lyte rapping the classic “U.N.I.T.Y.” Lil Nas X won over the crowd with his No. 1 hit “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” which ended with the rapper locking lips with a male background dancer, as the crowd roared loudly. Some audience members jumped out of their seats in praise.
His stage was set in Ancient Egypt, much like Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time,” which Lil Nas X paid tribute to with a skilled dance break during the performance. Mothers were also saluted during the three-hour-plus show: Queen Latifah, who atended with her father, held a photo on her mother onstage; Megan Thee Stallion remembered her mother, who died in 2019, during her speech: “She can’t be here with me today but I still think about her everyday and she is the reason why I keep going.” And Jazmine Sullivan — who won album of the year for her critically acclaimed EP “Heaux Tales” — atended the show with her mother, who is batling cancer.
The ceremony was dedicated to “the year of the Black woman,” as actor and host Taraji P. Henson put at the top of the show. Rep. Maxine Waters said her signature phrase — “reclaiming my time” — before Sullivan hit the stage for a top-notch performance featuring fellow R&B singer Ari Lennox. The first award went to Andra Day, who won best actress, while Darnella Frazier — the teenager who pulled out her cellphone and began recording when she saw George Floyd being pinned to the ground by a police officer — was given the Shine a Light Award.
H.E.R., who also wowed the audience won best female R&b/pop artist. Rapper Lil Baby won best male hip-hop artist and joined forces with Kirk Franklin to kick off the show with a performance that got Issa Rae, Queen Latifah, DJ Khaled and Zendaya bouncing in their seats. Other winners Sunday included Chris Brown, who won best male R&b/pop artist; Giveon, named best new artist; and Silk Sonic — the duo of Bruno Mars and Anderson . Paak — took home the best group award. Chadwick Boseman posthumously won best actor.