“Sam Smith isn’t here tonight because he’s white. And he didn’t think he would win at the BET Awards and we showed him that we love him, too!”~Anthony Anderson
The BET Awards 2015 lived up to the hype and then some. This was the network’s 15th annual awards show. Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross were the hosts. Chris Brown led the way for hardware with five nominations. The 2015 BET Awards were well done and a very good look at what could be if things were just a little different. Below is the warp up and my personal best moments from the show.
- Nicki Minaj brought her mom onstage to accept her award for best female hip-hop artist, beating out Iggy Azalea, Azaelia Banks, and more.
- Rihanna angrily threw a stack of money at Stephen Hill’s face backstage, then duct taped Floyd Mayweather’s mouth shut. It was all part of her tease for the “Bitch Better Have My Money” music video.
- It felt like Throwback Thursday on a Sunday. Mase, 112, Lil’ Kim and The LOX minus Jadakiss. Bad Boy got the show jumping with their celebration of 20 years. However, all did not go as planned as Diddy took a fall into the pits.
- Sam Smith won Best New Artist, but he wasn’t there to accept the award. Host Anthony Anderson took that as an opening to get at him. He said while in a Sam Smith-esque wig, “Sam Smith isn’t here tonight because he’s white. And he didn’t think he would win at the BET Awards and we showed him that we love him, too!”
- The Smokin’ Tribute played some of his iconic songs. Tori Kelly, Ne Yo and Robin Thicke hit every note in their performance of some of his hit songs.
- Janet Jackson looked gorgeous. Its almost like she has not aged in years. She won for Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual Award. Who knew that was a thing? Ciara did a great job at the the tribute performance.
and the winners are…
Best New Artist
Sam Smith (WINNER)
Dej Loaf
Fetty Wap
Rae Sremmurd
Tinashe
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
Kendrick Lamar (WINNER)
J. Cole
Drake
Common
Big Sean
Wale
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Nicki Minaj (WINNER)
Azealia Banks
Tink
Iggy Azalea
Trina
Dej Loaf
Best Actor
Terrence Howard (WINNER)
Anthony Anderson
Idris Elba
Jussie Smollett
Kevin Hart
Centric Award
The Weeknd – “Earned It” (WINNER)
Avery Sunshine – “Call My Name”
Jazmine Sullivan – “Dumb (feat. Meek Mill)”
Mark Ronson – “Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)”
Sam Smith – “Stay with Me (feat. Mary J. Blige)”
Humanitarian Award
Tom Joyner
Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual Award
Janet Jackson
Fandemonium Award
Chris Brown
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé (WINNER)
Janelle Monáe
Jhené Aiko
Ciara
Rihanna
K. Michelle
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Chris Brown (WINNER)
The Weeknd
John Legend
Trey Songz
Usher
August Alsina
Best Group
Rae Sremmurd (WINNER)
A$AP Mob
Migos
Rich Gang
Young Money
Jodeci
Best Collaboration
Common & John Legend – “Glory” (WINNER)
Chris Brown – “Loyal (feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga)”
Big Sean – “I Don’t F**k with You (feat. E-40)”
August Alsina – “No Love (Remix) [feat. Nicki Minaj]”
Chris Brown – “New Flame (feat. Usher & Rick Ross)”
Mark Ronson – “Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)”
Best Actress
Taraji P. Henson (WINNER)
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington
Tracee Ellis Ross
Viola Davis
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
Best Gospel Artist
Lecrae (WINNER)
Deitrick Haddon
Erica Campbell
Fred Hammond
Mali Music
Michelle Williams
Video of the Year
Beyoncé – “7/11″ (WINNER)
Chris Brown – “New Flame (feat. Usher & Rick Ross)”
Chris Brown – “Loyal (feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga)”
Big Sean – “I Don’t F**k with You (feat. E-40)”
Nicki Minaj – “Anaconda”
Common & John Legend – “Glory”
Video Director of the Year
Beyoncé, Ed Burke & Todd Tourso (WINNER)
Benny Boom
Chris Robinson
Fatima Robinson
Hype Williams
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”
Best International Act: Africa
Stonebwoy (Ghana)
Best International Act: UK
Stormzy