BET Awards 2024: Best Moments

On condition that he additionally spent the night time tributing Usher and sharing the official trailer for his forthcoming new movie, it was tough to know if Infantile Gambino was critical in his impromptu lambast of BET and the awards.

The Emmy and Grammy-winning multi-hyphenate — whose new “Lithonia” single is due July 2 — quipped that he has extra Grammys than Will Smith, however the identical quantity of BET Awards as Sam Smith. The Mr. and Mrs. Smith actor was right in that evaluation, highlighting some curious kinks in how the BET Awards honor and have a good time left-of-mainstream tv, movies and hip-hop music. There have been some heads nodding alongside within the course of, however the crowd wasn’t precisely leaping on the probability to agree with Gambino and trip for him. In truth, most individuals had been preoccupied with the random jab at Sam Smith.

This wasn’t the one time a quip landed with a powerful thud through the telecast, however having a joke brick proper earlier than the album of the yr winner was introduced was clearly removed from splendid. Nonetheless, the execution didn’t fully muddy Bino’s level, which loads of viewers members continued to chew on in particular person conversations all through the remainder of the night time.

A two-time winner at this yr’s present (greatest new artist and greatest worldwide act), Tyla would have had a near-perfect night time even when she by no means carried out on the stage. Once more, that is Tyla we’re speaking about. After all, the amapiano/afropop queen with the infectiously inimitable choreography ended up performing.

Well leaving her eponymous debut studio album’s different singles within the mud, Tyla selected to carry out her Afrobeats and dancehall-infused “Bounce” for her BET Awards debut. That includes dancers painted to appear like life-size tigers, huge stilt walkers, and a set with artwork course that performed on the earthiness of the Motherland, “Bounce” was a feast for the eyes and ears.

A collaboration with America’s Gunna and Jamaica’s Skillibeng, “Bounce” is a musical fusion of various sounds of the African diaspora, and South Africa’s Tyla neatly invited each of her collaborators to share the stage along with her. When Skillibeng walked on the stage and started his intro, dancehall queen Spice and her crew had been among the first individuals to stand up on their ft and present the 27-year-old artist some love. Conversely, when Gunna appeared for his verse, he bought a noticeably extra lukewarm reception than each Tyla and Skillibeng.

Though greater than sufficient individuals had not a single care on this planet about Will Smith slapping Chris Rock, sufficient individuals had been despatched into full disbelief and tender that the Bady Boys: Trip or Die singer nonetheless thinks he must not less than half-participate in a standard apology tour. Enter Kirk Franklin and the Sunday Service Choir.

Simply two days after releasing the Fridayy-assisted “You Can Make It,” the Oscar-winning actor took to the BET Stage to ship the tune’s dwell debut, swapping out Fridayy for five-time Grammy-winning gospel artist Chandler Moore. Whereas the precise tune is nothing groundbreaking — it unfavorably recollects Macklemore circa 2017 — it illustrated a second a lot greater. An anthem of dedication and persistence, “You Can Make It” successfully served as Smith’s testimony for surviving the extra turbulent interval of his profession and popping out on high with yet one more field office-topping flick.

“We’re not being punished; we’re being solid,” he preached shortly after Kirk Franklin practically blew out his mic sharing his personal exaltations of reward and thanks. “Dance in your darkest moments.”

Between a salacious Sexyy Crimson set and a tribute to an artist with a three-decade profession, the BET Awards aren’t actually the place for youths. Nonetheless, VanVan and Heiress Harris, daughter T.I. and Tiny, introduced each grownup within the room again to their elementary college days. The 2 pint-sized performers rocked the gang with “Be You,” effortlessly rapping, singing and dancing alongside to their anthem of individuality. It really can’t be overstated simply how enamored with VanVan and Heiress the gang inside Peacock Theater was. Whether or not they had been cheering or observing barely incredulously, there was a smile plastered on each face within the crowd as these two Black women carved out house for themselves — and all children — in hip proper earlier than our very eyes.

Going into the 2024 BET Awards, whether or not or not Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” could be referenced was a no brainer. The true query was how typically individuals would name again to the Mustard-helmed banger.

By no means one to be outdone, the night time’s host, Academy Award-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson, started her emcee duties donning a duplicate of Okay.Dot’s Pop Out live performance match, full with the sunshine wash denims and crimson hoodie. The Child Boy actress rapped a BET-specific model of the observe, whereas the gang inside Peacock Theater continued to rap alongside to the unique lyrics of Kendrick’s newest chart-topper. Along with her backup dancers riffing on Kenny’s Pop Out live performance dance strikes and a pitch-perfect of these closing ad-libs, Taraji delivered the second-best factor to the true Kendrick Lamar.

If the numbers weren’t proof sufficient, Kendrick Lamar dropped the yr’s defining anthem with “Not Like Us.” No different tune — whether or not a part of a skit, DJ set, or scheduled efficiency — enthralled the crowed that a lot.

4 years after Kane Brown turned the primary Black male solo male nation artist to carry out on the BET Awards, two rising nation stars scored large appears at Tradition’s Largest Evening.

For her efficiency on the BET Amplified stage, Tanner Adell — who featured on “Blackbiird” and laid background vocals for “American Requiiem” on Beyoncé‘s Billboard 200-topping Cowboy Carter earlier this yr — delivered a medley of her breakthrough hit “Buckle Bunny” and “Cowboy.” Donning a lacy white gown paying homage to a traditional Southern belle, Adell confirmed off each her vocal prowess and onstage charism — each of which received over the gang in Peacock Theater regardless that she was performing outdoors of the venue.

Shaboozey — who featured on Cowboy Carter’s “Spaghettii” (with Linda Martell) and “Candy * Honey * Buckiin” — blew the roof off the venue along with his smash hit “A Bar Track (Tipsy).” Regardless of the tune’s eye-popping No. 3 peak on the Sizzling 100, it took a little bit of time for the gang to really lose themselves in Boozey’s efficiency. By the point J-Kwon got here out to carry out “Tipsy” — which “A Bar Track” interpolates — on the honky-tonk-themed set, the gang completely misplaced their minds. As soon as the 2 artists began going backwards and forwards with “all people on the membership gettin’ tipsy” and “all people on the bar getting tipsy” on the very finish, they unlocked a stage of hip-hop/nation synergy that hasn’t been seen since peak Nelly.

If anybody had a case for proudly owning the night time outdoors of Usher, it’s Victoria Monét. The R&B powerhouse — who received three Grammys earlier this yr and earned the Vanguard Award on the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards final week — was virtually glued to the stage between her victories and performances.

For her solo efficiency, she delivered a sweltering medley of “On My Mama” and her newest single “Alright,” which featured a shock look from Kaytranada, who produced the house-infused observe. Between an HBCU-nodding rendition of her breakthrough hit and an “Alright” efficiency that featured an outfit change, water-set choreography, and a literal jaguar outro, Victoria Monét mounted one of the technically spectacular performances of the night time. Later within the present, Monét returned to the stage alongside Teyana Taylor for an unbelievably horny recreation of Usher and Beyoncé’s iconic “Unhealthy Woman” routine for the lifetime achievement award tribute.

Nonetheless, Monét’s most lovely moments got here throughout her acceptance speeches. When she received the BET Her Award for “On My Mama,” she accepted the award alongside her precise mom — who additionally seems within the observe’s acclaimed music video — making for a priceless full-circle second and a welcome coda to the saga of her quest to reunite along with her start father. When she closed the night time because the victor of video of the yr (“On My Mama”), Monét used her acceptance speech as a possibility to advocate for dancers — the important thing gamers within the music business who are sometimes instrumental in breaking a tune but receives a commission in literal scraps. She even introduced her longtime collaborator and “Alright” choreographer onstage along with her whereas receiving her award. In spite of everything, it’s Monét’s spectacular execution of Bankhead’s choreography that has helped elevate each her stage present and the business success of her singles.