20th BET Awards Were Black AF: Here Are Our Top 5 Moments

BET celebrated its 40th year as a network, and its 20th awards show, with the most Black, Black, Blackity, Black, BET Awards show ever … and we loved it!

This year, thanks to COVID-19 all the performances and presenters were shot remotely but that didn’t stop them from putting on a phenomenal show that superbly continued the protest against police brutality while also displaying the beauty of Black culture, Black artistry and Black people.

Show host Amanda Seales brought moments of levity and hilarity calling out white people and racism in between soul stirring performances by Public Enemy, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keyes, Da Baby and more.

And if that wasn’t enough, even the commercials in between were BLACK AF. Basically for three hours BET made sure the world didn’t forget Black Lives Matter and we thank you. Here are our top five moments.

“Fight The Power” Remix

Public Enemy recreated their classic “Fight the Power” video with footage from the George Floyd Protests to open the 2020 BET Awards. The iconic rap group were joined by a star-studded line-up of artists to help update the song with timely verses including Nas, Black Thought, Rapsody and YG.

Lil Wayne Honors Kobe Bryant

After a moving in memoriam piece,  Lil Wayne paid tribute to the Lakers basketball legend with a performance of his 2009 track “Kobe Bryant” on a stage that highlighted Bryant’s number, 24, in lights.

Da Baby & Roddy Ricch Perform “Rockstar”

Da Baby and Roddy Ricch performed their hit “Rockstar”  and gave one of the nights most moving performances themed around George Floyd, Black Lives Matter and police brutality.

Michelle Obama Anointed Beyonce “Queen”

Our forever FLOTUS showed up to present Beyonce with the 2020 Humanitarian of the Year Award. “I am here to talk about the Queen, you know the one,” Obama said in a video. Beyoncé addressed the awards program, calling the honor “beautiful” and also dedicated the award “to all of my brothers out there, all of my sisters out there inspiring me, marching and fighting for change.”

Jennifer Hudson channeled the Queen of Soul

Hudson rocked a sparkly green gown and sat behind a grand piano to sing “To Be Young, Gifted and Black,” Franklin’s 1972 cover of the song made famous by Nina Simone. After her performance a new teaser trailer for her film Respect about the life of Franklin made it’s world premiere debut.