Highlights from the 2015 BET Awards Plus Winners List

The 15th annual BET Awards took place yesterday (28 June, 2015) and with a special tribute to Janet Jackson, a Bad Boy Records reunion, show-stopping performances from Kendrick Lamar and the Empire cast, Nicki Minaj’s acceptance speech to the Blackish guest spots, here are some highlights from this year’s awards.

 Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Top Dawg’ performance

Kendrick Lamar opened the show with one of the best televised performances of his career. Performing the song Alright, he stood on a cop car as the American flag flew behind him. Red, white and blue lights flashed and he reassured the crowd, “We gon’ be alright.”

Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson’s stellar performance

Blackish stars Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson did a fine job hosting and broke up the usual monotonous line of comedians who poke fun at hip-hop artists who sit in the first few rows.

Nicki Minaj’s acceptance speech

Nicki Minaj won best female rap artist for the sixth year in a row, and this year she brought out her mom on stage for her acceptance speech. “It’s the first time the world’s going to see her,” Minaj said as she thanked her mother. She also paid it forward to fellow nominee and future household name, Dej Loaf, who will be joining Minaj’s tour. Oh, and she called out “my baby” Meek Mill.

Bad Boy Records reunion

Diddy reunited Bad Boy Records stars Faith Evans, Mase, 112 and Lil Kim to pay tribute to one of the most iconic labels in hip-hop history. And apart from him falling on stage, it was an awesome performance.

Empire cast medley  

Jussie Smollett, Yaz and Serayah performed three songs from the hit show — No Apologies, Drip Drop and You’re So Beautiful — before Smollett gave a moving speech about freedom and equality in America.

Janet Jackson’s epic tribute

BET honoured Janet Jackson with the Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual Award. In a dance performance that ended in fireworks, Ciara, Jason Derulo and Tinashe paid tribute to the icon’s career, and readied the crowd for her forthcoming album and worldwide tour.

Rihanna’s duct tape prank

Throughout the show, the camera panned to Rihanna, who carried a roll of duct tape around and tied up folks like Floyd Mayweather. BET teased that the gag would lead to a big reveal, and towards the end of the broadcast, Rihanna announced that the Bitch Better Have My Money music video would drop later this week. She then debuted the first minute.

Winners List

Best International Act: Africa

Stonebwoy (Ghana) (Winner)

AKA (South Africa)

Fally Ipupa (DR Congo)

Sarkodie (Ghana)

Sauti Sol (Kenya)

The Soil (South Africa)

Wizkid (Nigeria)

Yemi Alade (Nigeria)

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

Chris Brown (Winner)

August Alsina

John Legend

The Weeknd

Trey Songz

Usher

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

Beyoncé (Winner)

Ciara

Janelle Monáe

Jhene Aiko

K. Michelle

Rihanna

Centric Award

The Weeknd — ‘Earned It’ (From the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack) (Winner)

Avery Sunshine — ‘Call My Name’

Jazmine Sullivan feat. Meek Mill — ‘Dumb’

Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars — ‘Uptown Funk’

Sam Smith feat. Mary J. Blige — ‘Stay With Me’

Best New Artist

Sam Smith (Winner)

Bobby Shmurda

DeJ Loaf

Fetty Wap

Rae Sremmurd

Tinashe

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist

Nicki Minaj (Winner)

Azealia Banks

DeJ Loaf

Iggy Azalea

Tink

Trina

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist

Kendrick Lamar (Winner)

Big Sean

Common

Drake

J. Cole

Wale

Best Group

Rae Sremmurd (Winner)

A$AP Mob

Jodeci

Migos

Rich Gang

Young Money

Best Collaboration

Common & John Legend – “Glory” (From the motion picture Selma) (Winner)

August Alsina feat. Nicki Minaj – ‘No Love (Remix)’

Big Sean Feat. E-40 – “’DFWU’

Chris Brown Feat. Lil Wayne and Tyga – ‘Loyal’

Chris Brown Feat. Usher and Rick Ross – ‘New Flame’

Mark Ronson Feat. Bruno Maros – ‘Uptown Funk’

Video of the Year

Beyoncé – ‘7/11’ (Winner)

Big Sean feat. E-40 – ‘IDFWU’

Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne and Tyga – ‘Loyal’

Chris Brown feat. Usher and Rick Ross – ‘New Flame’

Common & John Legend – ‘Glory’ (From the motion picture Selma)

Nicki Minaj – ‘Anaconda’

Video Director of the Year

Beyoncé, Ed Burke, & Todd Tourso (Winner)

Chris Robinson

Fatima Robinson

Hype Williams

Benny Boom

Best Gospel Artist

Lecrae (Winner)

Deitrick Haddon

Erica Campbell

Fred Hammond

Mali Music

Michelle Williams

Best International Act: U.K.

Stormzy (Winner)

FKA Twigs

Fuse ODG

Lethal Bizzle

Little Simz

Mnek

Best Actress

Taraji P. Henson (Winner)

Gabrielle Union

Kerry Washington

Tracee Ellis Ross

Viola Davis

Best Actor

Terrence Howard (Winner)

Anthony Anderson

Idris Elba

Jussie Smollett

Kevin Hart

Youngstars Award

Mo’ne Davis (Winner)

Jacob Latimore

Jaden Smith

Quevenzhané Wallis

Zendaya

Best Movie

Selma (Winner)

Annie

Beyond the Lights

Think Like a Man Too

Top Five

Sportswoman of the Year

Serena Williams (Winner)

Brittney Griner

Candace Parker

Skylar Diggins

Venus Williams

Sportsman of the Year

Stephen Curry (Winner)

Chris Paul

Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Lebron James

Marshawn Lynch

Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award

Nicki Minaj – ‘Only feat. Drake, Lil Wayne & Chris Brown’(Winner)Beyoncé – ‘7/11’

Dej Loaf – ‘Try Me’

Kendrick Lamar – ‘i’

Rae Sremmurd – ‘Throw Sum Mo’ feat. Nicki Minaj & Young Thug

The Weeknd – ‘Earned It’