Covid-19, together with every Black life that mattered and was lost in the meantime — provided a platform for BET to remind its larger audience (thanks to Viacom’s merger with CBS) that the revolution would be televised
At BET Awards Weekend 2019, there was something in the air. Tributes to Nipsey Hussle had everyone feeling especially Black. Acceptance speeches sounded as if they’d been written by the ancestors — even the fashion looked like it came out of an All Black Everything catalog.
That was the prequel to what happened tonight.
40 years after founding Black Entertainment Television (BET), Bob Johnson’s mission to bring positive images of Black people to the masses has become more relevant than ever before. The producers, now working with corona-induced virtual restraints, still have a responsibility that had to be addressed.
How did they do? Keep reading…
Powerful vignettes hit hard, packing all the Black power of an Ali punch — none more poignant than the very first, an updated rendition of “Fight the Power” by Public Enemy featuring Nas, Black Thought, Rapsody, Questlove, Jahi, and YG. Production paired the performance with images and video from Black Lives Matter protests throughout the country.
That, along with host Amanda Seales’ proverbial I told you so, monologue (which was spot on), set the scene for how the program would go.
Seales was a smart and right-on-time choice for host. Formerly of “The Real,” she famously did not renew her contract due to a lack of Black representation in leadership at the daytime talk show. Since then, and before joining the show, the actress/comedienne has been vocal on social media about issues having to do with racism.
Seales’ witty Black girl humor made the show relatable, upbeat and serious at the right times. She made us laugh, even though we knew she meant business — all from a green screen in her living room.
The artists were given more creative liberty with their performances because of added virtual elements. For the most part, they all took advantage in the best way.
Masego, stayed loyal to his aesthetic and transformed a home into an oasis of greenery with foliage draping the bannisters and furniture outfitted in velvet donned by the band and background singer matching his smooth vocals.
Velvet also made an appearance in Jennifer Hudson’s performance of “Young, Gifted, and Black,” written by Nina Simone and covered by Aretha Franklin. In a retro gown in emerald green, Hudson’s gospel-tinged vocals and jazz phrasing reminded the audience of the original intent of the song.
Anderson Paak, along with an assist from Jay Rock gave a moving performance of his single “Lockdonwn” to which he performed in a bloodied face, addressing the harsh realities of police brutality.
Other performances came from: D Smoke and SiR, Lil’ Wayne in tribute to Kobe Bryant, Wayne Brady in tribute to Little Richard, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Chloe X Halle, DaBaby, Jonathan McReynolds, Kane Brown, LONR, and Roddy Ricch.
Having an overall good year, Texas-rapper Megan Thee Stallion won Female Hip Hop Artist. Her performance was easily one of the best of the night with choreography that could have given Teyana Taylor a run for her money.
While Lizzo won for best R&B vocalist, Summer Walker turned heads with Usher for their performance. Walker’s vocals were clear and her notes were on point. The set was reminiscent of 90s aesthetic house party music videos.
Enter Donny Simpson.
The host of Video Soul paved the way for each generation of BET viewer. Whenever one age group gets into an argument about how Free and AJ are better than Terrance and Rocsi, there’s an older generation that steps in every now and then to remind them that both duos studied from the School of Donny Simpson — and they would be right.
The legend spoke about Bob Johnson, his vision for BET, and how that vision continues to manifest today.
Then, like seeing a unicorn in a sea of pink clouds, Bob Johnson appears on the screen.
Everything stops.
Johnson started BET in 1980 in Washington DC., to him, he said, “It represents, freedom.”
Let that marinate for a minute.
The 2020 BET Humanitarian Award recipient is Beyonce. The award was presented by Former First Lady Michelle Obama and accompanied by BET’s package that included Queen Bey’s nonprofit work stateside and in Africa. Together with Tyler Perry, her Bey GOOD organization has been on the front lines of the Covid-19 pandemic providing essential items, housing, and additional resources to underrepresented demographics — specifically Black people (as she should).
The show closed with a stirring performance from Mother/Daughter gospel singers Karen Clark Sheard and the newly engaged Kierra Sheard. Both voices sang to the rafters and was a perfect way to end a Sunday night.
Amanda Seales, before giving last words, reminded us that Breonna Taylor’s killers are still not arrested. “We are,” she said, “each other’s business.”
For a full list of tonight’s winner’s visit BET.com.