2023 BET Awards highlight African-American music and culture during Black Music Month

By AFRO Staff

Busta Rhymes receives his lifetime achievement award at the BET Awards.
Lil Uzi Vert performs a medley at the BET Awards.
Best Female hip-hop artist Latto performs “Put It On Da Floor” for an electrified crowd.
D-Nice performs his hit “Call Me De-Nice” during the classic hip-hop showcase performance.
Warren G shows he’s still got “it” with a performance of his hip-hop classic “Regulate” for the BET Awards.
African hip-hop Artist Davido performs a medley of his afro beat hits.
Coco Jones, the R&B artist and activist, who teamed up with Walmart to support black women, performs her song “ICU”.
Lola Brooke takes over the stage and performs a medley of her hip-hop hits.
Patti LaBelle performs “The Best” during an In Memoriam tribute to the late singer Tina Turner.
GloRilla chose to channel Adina Howard in her performance of the song “Lick or Sum.”
Migos reunion is backed by an image of Takeoff, the late member of the group.
Big Daddy Kane performs alongside several classic hip-hop artists in a medley created for the 2023 BET Awards.
Lil Uzi Vert descends upon the stage on a platform and performs a medley featuring his club music song “I Just Want to Rock.”
Wonder Mike, from left, Master Gee and Hen Dogg of The Sugarhill Gang perform “Rapper’s Delight” in the classic hip-hop medley.
Coco Jones accepts the award for best new artist at the BET Awards.
Offset, left, and Quavo of Migos reunite to perform at the BET Awards on June 25, 2023, at the Microsoft Theater.
Redman performs “Da Goodness” officially part of classic hip-hop cannon.

The 2023 BET Awards took place in Los Angeles, Calif., on June 25.

The star- studded affair included appearances by hip-hop legends such as The Sugarhill Gang and Big Daddy Kane.

Latto performed, along with Coco Jones and Master P, who wowed the audience with his performance honoring hip-hop’s 50th anniversary.

“I just want to thank God so much for keeping me when I didn’t understand and for all of my Black girls—we do have to fight a little harder to get what we deserve but don’t stop fighting,” said Coco Jones, during the broadcast, which aired on BET. “Even when it doesn’t make sense and you’re not sure how you’re going to get out of those circumstances, keep pushing because we are deserving of great things.”

Winners for the night included Burna Boy, who took home the award for “Best International Act,” and SZA, who claimed the top spot as “Best Female R&B/Pop Artist”.

It was no surprise that Beyonce took home more trophies, as she was nominated for “Viewers Choice Award,” “Best Female R&B/ Pop Artist” and a multitude of other awards. Queen “Bey” took home the award for “Album of the Year” and the “BET Her Award”.

Aside from the glitz and glamour, there was also a bit of drama. City Girl Jatavia“JT” Johnson, caused a raucous when she got into a spat with boyfriend Lil Uzi Vert while sitting in the audience.

Johnson was caught on camera physically assaulting her partner while cussing at the rap star. In the video, another audience member can be heard saying the altercation was a result of Lil Uzi Vert allegedly talking with artist Isis “Ice Spice” Gaston.

Though the commotion was disturbing, the show went on, with tributes and performances to artists that have left an indelible mark on the culture.

The ceremony included time to remember the late Tina Turner, who passed on May 24 in Switzerland. Kirsnick “Takeoff” Ball, one-third of the rap group “The Migos,” was also honored for his contributions to the rap genre. Ball was shot to death in Houston on Nov. 1 of last year, after his groupmate and uncle Quavious “Quavo” Marshall got into a verbal altercation outside of a bowling alley.

The awards show also dedicated time to honoring the genre of hip-hop, which has officially been around for 50 years come Aug. 11. Artists, producers, museums, creative groups, elected officials and communities around the country have been celebrating the birth of hip-hop all year and the BET Awards were no exception. The hip-hop tribute during the 2023 BET Awards included Fabulous, Fat Joe and Trick Daddy, and Busta Rhymes was given a Lifetime Achievement Award.