“Celebrating Black women isn’t a fad or a trend; it’s a forever mood!” Henson declared at the top of the ceremony. “There is more than enough room for all of us to thrive, because can’t nobody be like me and can’t nobody be you like you.” Ready to soak it all in? Here’s everything you need to know about the 2021 BET Awards.
Who are the 2021 BET Awards winners?
This year’s most-nominated honorees were rapper Megan Thee Stallion and DaBaby, who earned seven nominations each. They were closely followed by Cardi B and Drake, who racked up five nodes apiece. The full list of BET Awards 2021 winners are…
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
After Hours - The Weeknd Blame it on Baby - DaBaby Good News - Megan Thee Stallion Heaux Tales - Jazmine Sullivan (winner) King’s Disease - Nas Ungodly Hour - Chloe x Halle
BEST COLLABORATION
“WAP” – Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion (winner) “Rockstar” – DaBaby feat. Roddy Ricch “Popstar” – DJ Khaled feat. Drake “Whats Poppin (Remix)” – Jack Harlow feat. DaBaby, Tory Lanez & Lil Wayne “Cry Baby” – Megan Thee Stallion feat. DaBaby “For the Night” – Pop Smoke feat. Lil Baby & DaBaby
BEST FEMALE R&B / POP ARTIST
Beyoncé H.E.R. (winner) Jazmine Sullivan Jhené Aiko Summer Walker SZA
BEST MALE R&B / POP ARTIST
6LACK Anderson .Paak Chris Brown (winner) Giveon Tank The Weeknd
BEST NEW ARTIST
Coi Leray Flo Milli Giveon (winner) Jack Harlow Latto Pooh Shiesty
BEST GROUP
21 Savage & Metro Boomin Chloe x Halle Chris Brown & Young Thug City Girls Migos Silk Sonic (winner)
BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST
Cardi B Coi Leray Doja Cat Megan Thee Stallion (winner) Latto Saweetie
BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST
DaBaby Drake J. Cole Jack Harlow Lil Baby (winner) Pop Smoke
BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
“In Jesus Name” – Bebe Winans “Never Lost” – Cece Winans “Hold Us Together” – H.E.R. “Strong God” – Kirk Franklin (winner) “Thank You for It All” – Marvin Sapp “Touch From You” – Tamela Mann
BET HER AWARD
“So Done” – Alicia Keys Ft. Khalid “Baby Mama” – Brandy feat. Chance the Rapper “Anti Queen” – Bri Steves “Baby Girl” – Chloe x Halle “Rooted” – Ciara feat. Ester Dean “Good Days” – SZA (winner)
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
Aya Nakamura (France) Burna Boy (Nigeria) (winner) Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) Emicida (Brazil) Headie One (UK) Wizkid (Nigeria) Young T & Bugsey (UK) Youssoupha (France)
VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD
“WAP” – Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion “Go Crazy” – Chris Brown & Young Thug “Rockstar” – DaBaby feat. Roddy Ricch “Popstar” – DJ Khaled feat. Drake “Laugh Now Cry Later” – Drake feat. Lil Durk “The Bigger Picture” – Lil Baby “Savage (Remix)” – Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé (winner) “Leave the Door Open” – Silk Sonic
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“Up” – Cardi B “WAP” – Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion (winner) “Do It” – Chloe x Halle “Go Crazy” – Chris Brown & Young Thug “Laugh Now Cry Later” – Drake feat. Lil Durk “Leave the Door Open” – Silk Sonic
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Benny Boom Bruno Mars and Florent Déchard (winner) Cole Bennett Colin Tilley Dave Meyers Hype Williams
BEST MOVIE
Coming 2 America Judas and the Black Messiah (winner) Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom One Night in Miami… Soul The United States vs. Billie Holiday
BEST ACTRESS
Andra Day (winner) Angela Bassett Issa Rae Jurnee Smollett Viola Davis Zendaya
BEST ACTOR
Aldis Hodge Chadwick Boseman (winner) Damson Idris Daniel Kaluuya Eddie Murphy Lakeith Stanfield
YOUNGSTARS AWARD
Alex R. Hibbert Ethan Hutchison Lonnie Chavis Marsai Martin (winner) Michael Epps Storm Reid
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
A’ja Wilson Candace Parker Claressa Shields Naomi Osaka (winner) Serena Williams Skylar Diggins-Smith
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Kyrie Irving LeBron James (winner) Patrick Mahomes Russell Westbrook Russell Wilson Stephen Curry
Who performed at the 2021 BET Awards?
The list was so long that a better question may be, who didn’t? The 2021 BET Awards featured performances from Andra Day, City Girls, Da Baby, DJ Khaled, H.E.R., Jazmine Sullivan, Kirk Franklin, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Migos, Moneybagg Yo!, Rapsody, Roddy Ricch and Tone Stith. Among the standout sets on this year’s BETs stage: Tyler, the Creator turned up in a Rolls Royce before performing his new single “LumberJack” amid an all-too-real wind storm! Meanwhile, Lil Nas X celebrated Pride Month in a big and bold way by sharing a passionate, onstage kiss with one of his male backup dancers while performing his hit “Montero (Call Me by Your Name).” The performance brought down the house—and brought Lil Nas some appreciation from none other than rap mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who tweeted afterwards, “Lil Nas X did that!! Be fearless!!” Clearly, Lil Nas himself was amazed by the praise: As many viewers noticed, Lil Nas’ performance also paid tribute to Michael Jackson’s legendary music video for his 1990s classic, “Remember the Time.”
Who received a BET Awards 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award?
Actress, rapper and overall icon Queen Latifah was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Awards at this year’s BETs. The Queen got emotional during her tribute, which kicked off with a performance of her hits by the likes of Lil’ Kim, MC Lyte, Rapsody and Monie Love. Latifah ultimately accepted the award standing onstage alongside her father while holding a photo of her late mother, who passed away in 2018. Through tears, Latifah told the crowd, “I am so extremely moved, I don’t even know what to say." Late rapper DMX was also honored with his own, special tribute during the ceremony after he passed away earlier this year at the age of 50. Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Swizz Beatz, The Lox, Griselda and Michael K. Williams all appeared as part of the DMX tribute.
What happened at the 2021 BET Awards?
Besides everything already mentioned above? Well, here’s a bombshell: Cardi B revealed she’s pregnant again! The rapper came onstage to join husband Offset alongside his group Migos while clad in a belly-hugging bodysuit that made it perfectly clear their almost-3-year-old daughter, Kulture Kiari Cephus, is about to become a big sis!
Which celebrities appeared at the 2021 BET Awards?
The list of 2021 BET Awards presenters was just as star-studded as the lists of nominees and performers: Ashanti, Chloe Bailey, Ciara, Crystal Renee Hayslett, DJ Cassidy, Ebony Obsidian, Eva Marcille, Issa Rae, Jill Scott, KJ Smith, Lena Waithe, Marsai Martin, Michelle Buteau, Michelle Mitchenor, Mignon, Mj Rodriguez, Naomi Campbell, Novi Brown, Regina Hall, Ryan Michelle Bathe, Saweetie, and Sevyn Streeter.
Who hosted the 2021 BET Awards?
Ladies and gentlemen, Taraji P. Henson! Henson’s excitement to be the night’s MC was apparent throughout—and even before the show, when she said in a statement, “This year’s show will be unlike anything we have ever seen before, and I am honored to be sharing the stage with so many powerful and prolific women in music and entertainment. The BET Awards will once again be at the forefront of Black culture.”
How to watch and stream the BET Awards 2021 on TV and online
The 2021 BET Awards aired live on Sunday, June 27, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT, with a pre-show that kicked off at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT. Fans could catch it all on the BET cable network, as well as on BET Her, LOGO, MTV, MTV2, VH1 and TV Land, plus TV streaming services like Hulu Live, Sling TV, Fubo TV, YouTube TV and Philo. Want to catch up on social media? Look for the hashtags “#BETAwards” and “#CulturesBiggestNight,” or check out @BET on your favorite platform. Next, check out all of last year’s winners, performers and amazing moments from the 2020 BET Awards.
