The BET Awards brought together artists from the past five decades in Los Angeles on Sunday night, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip hop.
Among the artists taking the stage were the Sugarhill Gang, Trick Daddy, Trina, Big Daddy Kane, MC Lyte, Doug E. Fresh, Warren G, Ying Yang Twins, Yo-Yo and E-40. Viewers were also treated to performances by Master P, Fat Joe, Remy Ma, TI, Fabolous, and Lil Uzi Vert inside the Microsoft Theater.
The show also included a tribute to the late Tina Turner performed by Patti LaBelle. Former Migos members Quavo and Offset came together to pay their respects to Takeoff. And Busta Rhymes became emotional and wiped away tears as he received the BET Lifetime Achievement Award.
Related story: BET Awards 2023: Sugarhill Gang Launches Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary Tribute
“I want to cry,” Busta told the audience.
The BET Awards went without a host this year as the Writers Guild of America strike continues. Several presenters mentioned the strike and said we missed the union editors.
Actors Cynthia Kaye McWilliams and Malcolm Barrett from the BET+ series average joe, joked that there was nothing in the teleprompter because of the strike. “Oh my God, bring the writers back,” McWilliams said.
“Let’s take a moment to acknowledge and stand in solidarity with the artists who make us laugh, cry, and most importantly, reflect — our Writers Guild of America family,” added singer-songwriter Muni Long.
Among the winners were Drake, Beyoncé, SZA, Chris Brown and Usher. Latto won the award for Best Female Hip Hop Artist.
“Shout out to all the women, we’re killing it,” Latto told the audience.
Below is the full list of winners for the 2023 BET Awards.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR (TIE)
SOS-SZA
REBIRTH – Beyoncé
BEST COLLABORATION
WAIT – Future feat. Drake & Time
BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST
SZA
BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST (TIE)
Chris Brown
Bailiff
BEST NEW ARTIST
Coco Jones
BEST GROUP
Drake x 21 savage
BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST
Latte
BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST
Kendrick Lamar
DR. BEST BOBBY JONES GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
Bless Me – Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin
BET HIS PRICE
Break My Soul – Beyoncé
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Kill Bill – SZA
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Teyana “Spike Tey” Taylor
BEST FILM
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
BEST ACTRESS
Angela Bassette
BEST ACTOR
Damson Idris
YOUNG STARS AWARD
Marsai Martin
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
Angel Reese
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
Jalen hurts
VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD
Break My Soul – Beyoncé
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
Burnaboy