10 Of The Most Memorable Moments From The 2020 BET Awards

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Source: BET Awards 2020 / Getty

For the first time in its 19-year history, the BET Awards were broadcast virtually. Amanda Seales hosted with a green screen in her home. Artists performed from various locations around the world. And celebrities pre-recorded their acceptance speeches. Well, for some folks that wasn’t all that different. But you get the drift. And while there was plenty of room for error, the show was incredibly well produced and edited. So much so that there were more than a few people who felt that the network might want to stick with the virtual format going forward. It was a sight to see.

In case you missed it, check out some highlights from the night.

Source: BET Awards 2020 / Getty

Fight The Power

The show began with a remix to a musical number, though recorded decades ago, is still relevant to the times in which we currently live. This version of “Fight The Power” was performed by the originals Chuck D. and Flavor Flav with Nas, Black Thought, Rapsody, Questlove, Jahi, and YG.

You can watch the performance in the video below.

Amanda’s opening monologue

Performing in front of a green screen and to an imaginary audience would be difficult for even the most seasoned comedians. But Seales managed to pull it off and delivered more than a few quips that had us chuckling. She said she was the perfect host for this year’s show because she’s been telling us for a minute that everybody’s racist. She took a much-needed jab at Terry Crews saying that it wasn’t surprising that he couldn’t make it. And lastly and perhaps most importantly, she said that it was vital this show continue because after all we’ve been through in just six months, we deserve it.

Source: BET Networks / BET Networks

Sir and D Smoke

If you watched Netflix’s rap competition show, “Rhythm and Flow,” you know that rapper D. Smoke was made for moments like this. He was pulling out show-stopping performances even back then. But to see him perform with his brother, fellow artist Sir, it was magical. The two even brought their mother out to perform with them. You can watch them perform “Let Go” and “Black Habits” in the video below.

Source: BET Networks / BET Networks

Meg

Hot Girl Meg gave us what was perhaps the best performance of the night with “Girls In The Hood” and “Savage Remix.” There was a full set, choreography and Meg’s background dancers were distant and masked up. We loved to see it. And Megan gave us what we needed with her incredible knees. Check it out in the video below.

Source: BET Awards 2020 / Getty

Young Gifted and Black

Did y’all know that Jennifer Hudson could play the piano? I surely did not. To open her performance of “Young, Gifted, and Black,” she was seated there. If there’s anything Jennifer Hudson knows how to do, it’s deliver a song with conviction. And, with the help of some incredible background singers, she did just that. The moment was powerful. Watch it below.

Anderson .Paak and Jay Rock

Anderson .Paak became a household name after his performance at the BET Awards, so it only makes sense that he returns every year. This year, he and Jay Rock performed a song he released earlier this month called “Lockdown.” It’s about this current moment of social upheaval, including police brutality, the protests, “looting,” and more.

Source: BET Awards 2020 / Getty

Wayne Brady

Wayne Brady is that dude. And last night after his tribute to Little Richard, he was trending on Twitter with people either celebrating or shocked by his vocals or dancing abilities. Wayne Brady is a triple threat. He can sing, dance, and make you crack up laughing. He might not have been the most obvious choice for the Little Richard tribute but the two have a lot in common.

Still, there were those who argued that a queer Black man should have been the one to honor him. I can’t argue with that. But Brady did what he had to do. Check out the tribute below.

Source: BET Networks / BET Networks

Summer Walker and Usher

This set up was perfect for someone with Summer Walker’s social anxiety. She was sitting alone in a room strumming her guitar from a stool. Usher sang his verse from another room set that was lit blue to compliment her pink. Then the two joined one another–still a bit distant. We have to admit, it was the most comfortable we’ve seen Walker look in a while. And Usher’s vocals are still perfect.

Source: BET Awards 2020 / Getty

Chloe and Halle

Chloe and Halle’s tennis court has been doing its good work during this period of social distancing. They’ve delivered some solid performances from there. And last night’s performance of “Forgive Me” and “Do It” for the BET Awards was no different. Check it out below.