Snoop Dogg celebrated 25 years in music, performing the classic songs “What’s My Name” and “Next Episode.” The rapper also performed songs from his recently released gospel album this year, wearing a choir robe on a stage that looked like a church.
Childish Gambino, whose song and music video “This Is America” tackles racism and gun violence and became a viral hit last month, gave a short, impromptu performance of the song when Foxx brought him onstage.
“Everybody begged me to do a joke about that song. I said that song should not be joked about,” Foxx said.
Foxx kicked off the show rejoicing in the uber success of “Black Panther,” namedropping the records the film has broken and even pulling Michael B. Jordan onstage.
“We don’t need a president right now because we got our king,” Foxx said of T’Challa. “(Director) Ryan Coogler gave us our king.”
Foxx entered the arena with a stuffed black panther toy — with a gold chain around its neck — which he handed to Jordan. He later pulled the “Creed” star onstage to recite a memorable line from “Black Panther.”
“Bury me in the ocean with my ancestors who jumped from ships, ’cause they knew death was better than bondage,” Jordan said to cheers from the audience, which included Childish Gambino, LL Cool and DJ Khaled.
The film went on to win best movie.
Michael B. Jordan & Ryan Coogler on ‘Black Panther’ winning #BETAwards Best Movie — ‘Thank you to Black Twitter’
(via @BET) pic.twitter.com/2alhRU2DDt
— FANDOM (@getFANDOM) June 25, 2018
“The film is about our experiences being African Americas and also captures the experiences of being African,” Coogler said. “It was about tapping into the voice that tells us to be proud of who will are.”
At the end of his speech he told the audience to travel to Africa and learn more about the continent’s history.
Most of the awards, including video of the year, were not announced during the live telecast.
SZA, who was the most nominated woman at this year’s Grammys, won best new artist and said she’s “never won anything in front of other people.”
She dedicated the award to those “lost in the world,” saying: “Follow your passion … believe in yourself.”
The level of joy is contagious in @SZA‘s acceptance speech for Best New Artist at the #BETAwards. Congrats! pic.twitter.com/2YSJukFT4h
— #BETAwards (@BETAwards) June 25, 2018
“Girls Trip” star and comedian Tiffany Haddish, who gave her speech in a taped video after winning best actress, also said encouraging words.
“You can achieve anything you want in life,” she said.
DJ Khaled, who was the leading nominee with six, won the first award of the night — best collaboration — for “Wild Thoughts” with Rihanna and Bryson Tiller. He was holding his son on his hip onstage and also used his speech to highlight young people.
“All of y’all are leaders and all of y’all are kings and queens — the future,” he said.
Migos won best group and gave a fun performance that even had Adams reciting the lyrics.
