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Offset and Quavo reunited at Sunday night’s (June 25) 2023 BET Awards to perform a Migos classic and pay tribute to their late bandmate Takeoff. The unannounced performance came about an hour into Sunday’s show, when a floor-to-ceiling rocket appeared on the big screens and the two remaining members of Migos walked into a spotlight […]
The 2023 BET Awards have arrived!
Drake and GloRilla enter the night as this year’s leading nominees — with seven and six nods each, respectively — but who will be the night’s big winner?
Stick with Billboard all Sunday night for our updating list of winners, below.
Album of the YearAnyways, Life’s Great, GloRillaBreezy, Chris BrownGod Did, DJ KhaledHer Loss, Drake & 21 Savage Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, Kendrick LamarRenaissance, BeyoncéSOS, SZA
Best Female R&B/Pop ArtistAri LennoxBeyoncéCoco JonesH.E.R.LizzoSZATems
Best Male R&B/Pop ArtistBlxstBrent FaiyazBurna BoyChris BrownDrakeThe WeekndUsher
Best GroupCity GirlsDrake & 21 SavageDvsnFLOMaverick City Music & Kirk FranklinQuavo & TakeoffWanmor
Best Collaboration“Big Energy (Remix),” Latto & Mariah Carey feat. DJ Khaled“Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2,” Pinkpantheress & Ice Spice“Call Me Every Day,” Chris Brown feat. Wizkid“Can’t Stop Won’t Stop,” King Combs feat. Kodak Black“Creepin’,” Metro Boomin, The Weeknd & 21 Savage“F.N.F. (Let’s Go),” Hitkidd & GloRilla“Tomorrow 2,” GloRilla & Cardi B“Wait For U,” Future feat. Drake & Tems
Best Female Hip Hop Artist Cardi B Coi LerayGloRillaIce SpiceWINNER: LattoMegan Thee StallionNicki Minaj
Best Male Hip Hop Artist21 SavageDrakeFutureJ. ColeJack HarlowKendrick LamarLil Baby
Video of the Year“We (Warm Embrace),” Chris Brown“2 Million Up,” Peezy, Jeezy & Real Boston Richey feat. Rob49“About Damn Time,” Lizzo“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy“First Class,” Harlow“Kill Bill,” SZA“Tomorrow 2,” GloRilla & Cardi B
Video Director of the YearA$AP Rocky for AWGEBenny BoomBurna BoyCole BennettDave Free & Kendrick LamarDirector XWINNER: Teyana “Spike Tey” Taylor
Best New ArtistAmbréWINNER: Coco JonesDoechiiFLOGloRillaIce SpiceLola Brooke
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award“Bless Me,” Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin“Finished (Live),” Tamela Mann“I’ve Got Joy,” CeCe Winans“Kingdom,” Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin feat. Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore“New,” Tye Tribbett“One Moment From Glory,” Yolanda Adams“The Better Benediction (Pt.2),” PJ Morton feat. Lisa Knowles-Smith, Le’andria Johnson, Keke Wyatt, Kierra Sheard & Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Viewer’s Choice Award“About Damn Time,” Lizzo“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé“First Class,” Jack Harlow“Jimmy Cooks,” Drake feat 21 Savage“Kill Bill,” SZA“Last Last,” Burna Boy“Super Freaky Girl,” Nicki Minaj“Wait For U,” Future feat. Drake & Tems
Best International ActAya Nakamura (France)Ayra Starr (Nigeria)Burna Boy (Nigeria)Central Cee (UK)Ella Mai (UK)Ko (South Africa)L7nnon (Brazil)Stormzy (UK)Tiakola (France)Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)
Viewer’s Choice: Best New International ActAsake (Nigeria)Camidoh (Ghana)Flo (UK)Libianca (Cameroon)Maureen (France)MC Ryan SP (Brazil)Pabi Cooper (South Africa)Raye (UK)Werenoi (France)
BET Her“About Damn Time,” Lizzo“Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2,” Pinkpantheress & Ice Spice“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé“Her,” Megan Thee Stallion“Lift Me Up,” Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From And Inspired By – Rihanna & Ludwig Göransson“Players,” Coi Leray“Special,” Lizzo
Best MovieBlack Panther: Wakanda ForeverCreed 3EmancipationNopeThe Woman KingTillWhitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody
Best ActorAmin JosephBrian Tyree HenryDamson IdrisDaniel KaluuyaDemetrius ‘Lil Meech’ Flenory Jr.Donald GloverMichael B. Jordan
Best ActressAngela BassettCoco JonesJanelle JamesJanelle MonáeKeke PalmerViola DavisZendaya
Youngstars AwardAkira AkbarAlaya HighDemi SingletonGenesis DeniseMarsai MartinThaddeus J. Mixson Young Dylan
Sportswoman of the Year AwardAlexis MorrisAllyson Felix Angel ReeseCandace ParkerNaomi Osaka Serena WilliamsSha’carri Richardson
Sportsman of the Year AwardAaron Judge Bubba WallaceGervonta DavisJalen HurtsLebron JamesPatrick MahomesStephen Curry
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“Culture’s biggest night” will be a celebration of hip-hop. The 2023 BET Awards return to Los Angeles on Sunday (June 25) at 8 p.m. ET.
The show, held at the Microsoft Theater, will feature a star-studded performance lineup honoring hip-hop’s 50th anniversary.
“We have an incredible lineup of performers who will take us on a musical journey, covering Hip Hop spanning every decade, style, and region. From music to dance and fashion, we are digging through every crate as we celebrate 50 years of Hip Hop and its diversity, evolution, and global impact,” said Connie Orlando, BET EVP, specials, music programming & music strategy. “This wall-to-wall party will reverberate with the amazing energy and passion these artists bring to the stage and the culture. Prepare for an unforgettable night of reunions and surprises as we celebrate hip-hop’s rich history, enduring legacy, and promising future.”
Drake leads this year’s nominees list with seven nominations. Following closely behind the Toronto rapper, GloRilla earned six nominations, while 21 Savage and Lizzo each snagged five nominations.
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Beyoncé, Burna Boy, Chris Brown, Ice Spice and SZA are tied at four nods each. Cardi B, Coco Jones, FLO, Future, Jack Harlow, Kendrick Lamar, Tems, Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin landed three nominations a piece.
See below for ways to watch and stream the 2023 BET Awards online, and other details about the ceremony.
How to Watch the 2023 BET Awards on TV
The BET Awards air on Sunday (June 25) at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on BET and will simulcast on BET Her, Logo, MTV, MTV2, TV Land and VH1.
How to Watch the 2023 BET Awards Online for Free
While there isn’t a direct way to watch the BET Awards for free online, if you don’t have cable, your best bet would be to sign up for a streaming service that offers live TV such as DirectTV Stream, Philo, fuboTV or Sling TV. Hulu + Live TV offers live television as well but no free trial.
What are the best streaming deals? Right now, Sling TV starts at just $15 (regular $40) for the first month. Philo costs $25/month to access 70+ cable channels, and you’ll get a after a free trial for the first week, which means you can stream the BET Awards for free.
Philo
$25/month after 7-day free trial
DirectTV Stream and Fubo offer up to 200+ cable and local channels for an affordable price. Monthly plans for both streamers start at $75/month. And if you’re streaming internationally, ExpressVPN gives you access to BET and several streaming platforms.
Who is Performing at the 2023 BET Awards?
The BET Awards will feature a star-studded performance lineup celebrating hip-hop from coast to coast. Performers include Big Daddy Kane, Eric Sermon, Chief Keef, 69 Boyz, DJ Unk, E-40, Fast Life Yungstaz & Easton (F.L.Y.), Fat Joe, Ja Rule, Kid ‘N Play, MC Lyte, Percy “Master P” Miller, Remy Ma, Soulja Boy, Redman, Jeezy, The Sugarhill Gang, Trick Daddy, Trina, Tyga, Uncle Luke, Warren G, Ying Yang Twins, Yo-Yo and more.
Ice Spice, Latto, Lil Uzi Vert, Coco Jones, GloRilla and Doechii are also scheduled to perform.
Who will be honored at the 2023 BET Awards?
Busta Rhymes will be honored with the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award, which is presented to industry pioneers who have “shifted the culture” and entertainment industry. Bia, Coi Leray, Cutty Ranks, Dexta Daps, M.O.P., Rah Digga, ScarLip, Spice, Supercat, Swizz Beatz and other surprise guests are slated to hit the stage to celebrate the Brooklyn native’s more than 30-year career.
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The BET Awards takes place this weekend in Los Angeles, Calif. at the Microsoft Theater and the star-studded event is poised to draw large crowds online and in person to take in the festivities. American Express and BET are partnering to present The Watch Party at the House of BET ahead of the awards program with fun surprises, drinks, and special performances on deck.
American Express & BET Present: The Watch Party at House of BET will go down Sunday, June 25, from 3 PM to 8 PM local time, and features a live performance from R&B star 6LACK with DJ Earry Hall on the tables providing the vibes. Hosted by La La Anthony, the House of BET will be located inside Hollywood’s Nya Studios and will have refreshments for fans and more.
The event will be interactive and designed for comfort as attendees will be encouraged to take in the lush scenery, relax in style, and watch the BET Awards together as a family and crew.
The event was open to all but Amex cardholders and their plus ones will have their own expedited entry point to the party. We would like to add that RSVPs for the event are now closed. Our apologies.
In addition to the party, American Express is offering cardholders the Shop Small Excellence Guide, which lists a number of Black-owned business establishments throughout Los Angeles. For guests who use their Amex card to check in at hotels near the event space, they will get a copy of the guide.
Last but not least American Express will present the BET Viewer’s Choice Award on-air and fans will have an opportunity to vote on their top “Song Of The Year” selection by placing their votes here.
To learn more about the 2023 BET Awards, click here.
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Busta Rhymes is set to receive the lifetime achievement award at the 2023 BET Awards on Sunday, June 25. Bia, Coi Leray, Cutty Ranks, Dexta Daps, M.O.P., Rah Digga, ScarLip, Spice, Supercat, Swizz Beatz and more will take the stage to celebrate the rapper and his 30-plus year musical legacy.
The show, which calls itself “culture’s biggest night,” will air on BET from the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles. The show airs live on the East Coast at 8 p.m., and on tape delay on the West Coast at 8 p.m. PT.
This is the third year in a row that the lifetime achievement award has gone to a rapper. Queen Latifah, who started out as a rapper before diversifying into many areas of entertainment, was the honoree two years ago. Sean Combs was the honoree last year. Previous recipients were artists in mainstream R&B, from Whitney Houston, the first recipient in 2001, to Mary J. Blige, the 2019 honoree.
“Busta Rhymes is a multifaceted, award-winning artist who has mesmerized audiences for decades with his original hip-hop sound and one-of-a-kind visuals,” Scott Mills, CEO of BET, said in a statement. “He continues to leave an indelible mark on the culture that we hold dear, and it is with great pride that we present this year’s lifetime achievement award to a visionary, a master of rhyme and a true pioneer.”
Busta Rhymes, 51, has received six awards at the BET Hip-Hop Awards, but he has gone 0-12 at the Grammys.
The rapper topped the Billboard 200 in 2006 with The Big Bang. He has climbed as high as No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 twice, with “What’s It Gonna Be?!,” a 1999 collab with Janet Jackson; and “I Know What You Want,” a 2003 collab with Mariah Carey that featured The Flipmode Squad.
In addition to his musical achievements, Busta Rhymes, who was born Trevor Smith Jr., has acted in several movies, including Higher Learning (1995), Shaft (2000) and Halloween: Resurrection (2002).
This year’s BET Awards will pay tribute to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. Dem Franchize Boyz, D-Nice, Erick Sermon, Fabolous, Jeezy, Redman, Styles P and YG were added to the performance lineup for this segment, joining the previously announced 69 Boyz, Big Daddy Kane, Chief Keef, DJ Unk, E-40, Fast Life Yungstaz & Easton (F.L.Y.), Fat Joe, Ja Rule, Kid ‘N Play, MC Lyte, Percy “Master P” Miller, Remy Ma, Soulja Boy, The Sugarhill Gang, Trick Daddy, Trina, Tyga, Uncle Luke, Warren G, Ying Yang Twins and Yo-Yo.
Apart from that anniversary salute, 2023 BET Awards nominees Ice Spice and Latto, and hip-hop artist Mad Lion are set to perform live on the show, joining the previously announced Coco Jones, Doechii, GloRilla and Lil Uzi Vert.
Kaliii and 2023 BET Awards nominee Lola Brooke will perform on the BET Amplified stage.
The BET Awards has been the No. 1 cable award show among all adults 18-49 for the last two years, and is the No. 1 cable award show among Black adults 18-49 for the 21st consecutive year (CY02-CY22).
Voting for BET Awards 2023 Viewer’s Choice Award, which began on June 8, ends June 25 at 6:30 p.m. PT/ 9:30 p.m. ET. Cast your vote at BET.com.
Connie Orlando, EVP, specials, music programming & music strategy, will oversee and executive produce the annual show, with Jamal Noisette, VP, specials, music programming & music strategy to co-executive produce for BET. Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company for the show, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serving as executive producers.
When Nicki Minaj first took home the BET Award for best female hip-hop artist, the 2010s had just begun, Barack Obama was enjoying the halfway point of his presidential term, and the Queens rapper was mere months away from unleashing Pink Friday, her much-anticipated debut studio album, upon the world.
The 2010 race was Minaj’s to lose; her fellow nominees — while all talented in their own rights — simply could not match the “Bedrock” breakout star’s momentum. Ester Dean, an instrumental collaborator on Minaj’s 2011 hit “Super Bass,” could only boast the Chris Brown-featuring “Drop It Low” as her sole single as a lead artist going into the June 2010 ceremony. Lil’ Kim, who picked up three prior nominations in this category between 2001 and 2006, had not released a studio album in five years, due to her finishing out her prison sentence. Rasheeda was coming off her first Billboard 200-charting album, Certified Hot Chick (No. 89), but she was nowhere near the burgeoning crossover sensation that Minaj was at the time. Finally, Trina headed into the race off the strength of her No. 13-peaking Amazin’ album, and she had not placed a single as a lead artist on the Hot 100 in half a decade. Minaj, who was riding high on massively successful singles like Ludacris’ “My Chick Bad” and her own “Your Love,” was the inevitable victor.
Nicki Minaj’s 2010 best female hip-hop artist victory was the beginning of seven consecutive years of domination. While she faced formidable opponents in some of those years (Azealia Banks, Iggy Azalea, Young M.A., and DeJ Loaf among them), Minaj just as often faced competitors that were laughably out of her league in terms of commercial and cultural impact. Take her 2011 victory against “B.B. (Boss Bitch)” rapper LoLa Monroe, or her triumph the following year over “Shake It to the Ground” rapper Rye Rye. Nicki’s victories became so predictable that her “fake surprised” reactions to her wins became a running jokeon social media.
Even before Nicki’s streak began, however, the best female hip-hop artist category was in something of a drought. The category was suspended for the 2007 ceremony, and the 2009 ceremony boasted just three nominees in the category. In the years following her streak, Minaj remained a fixture in the category, but faced heartier competition from the likes of Remy Ma (who won in 2017), Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion (both of whom have bested Minaj twice in the past five years).
This year’s lineup, which features seven of the most successful and defining women in contemporary hip-hop — the largest number of nominees the category has seen in its 22-year existence — is a far cry from the uneven playing field of 2010. In fact, it is a lineup where, for the first time in some years, every nominee is a genuinely plausible winner. Comprised of Minaj, Cardi B, Coi Leray, Ice Spice, GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion and Latto, this year’s best female hip-hop artist lineup boasts a rising generation of female rap talent, as well as the two now-iconic artists who helped paved the way for them.
The bulk of this year’s nominees are the progeny of a combination of Minaj’s Top 40 navigation skills and Cardi B’s social media savvy, making them worthy competitors to the two previous victors. Moreover, this year’s lineup reveals the ways in which hip-hop’s emphasis on regionality has helped bolster the simultaneous sustained mainstream success of multiple female rappers, after so many years where a single artist towered over the conversation, for better or for worse.
Ahead of this Sunday’s BET Awards, Billboard breaks down the resumes of this historic group of best female hip-hop artist nominees and their respective cases for taking home this award.
GloRilla
Image Credit: Aviva Klein
GloRilla, who tied with Drake for most nominations for the 2023 BET Awards, is set to perform on the show, which airs live on BET on Sunday, June 25, at 8 p.m. ET/ PT. Lil Uzi Vert, Doechii and Coco Jones are also set to perform on the show, with more performers to be announced.
The centerpiece of the show will be a 50th anniversary celebration of hip-hop. Artists set for that segment are 69 Boyz, Big Daddy Kane, Chief Keef, DJ Unk, E-40, Fast Life Yungstaz & Easton (F.L.Y.), Fat Joe, Ja Rule, Kid ‘N Play, MC Lyte, Percy “Master P” Miller, Remy Ma, Soulja Boy, The Sugarhill Gang, Trick Daddy, Trina, Tyga, Uncle Luke, Warren G, Ying Yang Twins and Yo-Yo.
“We have an incredible lineup of performers who will take us on a musical journey, covering hip-hop spanning every decade, style, and region,” Connie Orlando, BET evp, specials, music programming & music strategy said in a statement. “From music to dance and fashion, we are digging through every crate as we celebrate 50 years of hip-hop and its diversity, evolution, and global impact.”
Orlando will oversee and executive produce the annual show, with Jamal Noisette, vp, specials, music programming & music strategy to co-executive produce for BET. Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company for the show, with Collins, Dionne Harmon and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serving as executive producers.
Last year, GloRilla took home best breakthrough hip-hop artist of the year award at the BET Hip Hop Awards.
Following GloRilla and Drake, who each received seven nominations, 21 Savage and Lizzo each received five nods, followed by Beyoncé, Burna Boy, Chris Brown, Ice Spice and SZA with four nods each.
The BET Awards has been the No. 1 cable award show among all adults 18-49 for the last two years and is the No. 1 cable award show among Black adults 18-49 for the 21st consecutive year (CY02-CY22).
Voting for BET Awards 2023 Viewer’s Choice Award ends June 25 at 6:30 p.m. PT/ 9:30 p.m. ET. Cast your vote on BET’s website.
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Drake continues to dominate the Rap genre with ease. This week BET announced the 2023 Awards and he leads the nominations with seven.
As spotted on Vulture the Her Loss MC has had quite a run within the last 12 months and his efforts are reflected the television network’s upcoming ceremony. Drake’s nominations include “Best Male Hip Hop Artist”, “Best Male R&B/Pop Artist”, “Best Group” with 21 Savage, “Best Collaboration” with Future and Tems, “Album of the Year” for Her Loss with 21 Savage, and “Viewer’s Choice Award” and “Best Collaboration”.
Right behind Champagne Papi Is GloRilla with six nominations. Her nods include “Best Female Hip Hop Artist”, “Best New Artist”, “Album of the Year”, “Video Of The Year”. Additionally, she has two chances to take home “Best Collaboration” thanks to her features with HItkidd and Cardi B. Glo took to social media with the big news saying “I’m second behind DRAKE with da most BET nominations this year thank you lord & thank y’all”.
You can read the full list of nominations below.
Best Group
City Girls
Drake and 21 Savage
Dvsn
FLO
Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin
Quavo & Takeoff
Wanmor
Best Collaboration
“Big Energy (Remix),” Latto and Mariah Carey feat. DJ Khaled
“Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2,” PinkPantheress and Ice Spice
“Call Me Every Day,” Chris Brown feat. Wizkid
“Can’t Stop Won’t Stop,” King Combs feat. Kodak Black
“Creepin’,” Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, and 21 Savage
“F.N.F. (Let’s Go),” Hitkidd and GloRilla
“Tomorrow 2,” GloRilla and Cardi B
“Wait For U,” Future feat. Drake & Tems
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi B
Coi Leray
GloRilla
Ice Spice
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
21 Savage
Drake
Future
J. Cole
Jack Harlow
Kendrick Lamar
Lil Baby
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On Thursday (June 8), BET announced the nominees for the 23rd annual BET Awards, with Drake and GloRilla leading the pack.
The “Search & Rescue” rapper clocks in at seven nominations, including best male hip-hop artist, best male R&B/pop artist, best group with 21 Savage and album of the year for Her Loss with 21 Savage. Like Drake, GloRilla’s nominations are split pretty evenly between solo and collaborative efforts, including best female hip hop artist, best new artist, album of the year for Anyways, Life’s Great, video of the year for “Tomorrow 2” with Cardi B, and two nominations for best collaboration (“F.N.F. Let’s Go” and “Tomorrow 2”).
Last year, GloRilla took home best breakthrough hip hop artist of the year award at the BET Hip Hop Awards.
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Following GloRilla and Drake, 21 Savage and Lizzo boast the third-highest number of nominations, with five each, and are followed by Beyoncé, Burna Boy, Chris Brown, Ice Spice and SZA, with four nominations each.
Voting for the Viewer’s Choice categories will commence on June 8 and end the day of the show, June 25, at 6:30 PM PT.
See the full list below:
Album of the YearAnyways, Life’s Great, GloRillaBreezy, Chris BrownGod Did, DJ KhaledHer Loss, Drake & 21 Savage Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, Kendrick LamarRenaissance, BeyoncéSOS, SZA
Best Female R&B/Pop ArtistAri LennoxBeyoncéCoco JonesH.E.R.LizzoSZATems
Best Male R&B/Pop ArtistBlxstBrent FaiyazBurna BoyChris BrownDrakeThe WeekndUsher
Best GroupCity GirlsDrake & 21 SavageDvsnFLOMaverick City Music & Kirk FranklinQuavo & TakeoffWanmor
Best Collaboration“Big Energy (Remix),” Latto & Mariah Carey Feat. Dj Khaled“Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2,” Pinkpantheress & Ice Spice“Call Me Every Day,” Chris Brown Feat. Wizkid“Can’t Stop Won’t Stop,” King Combs Feat. Kodak Black“Creepin’,” Metro Boomin, The Weeknd & 21 Savage“F.N.F. (Let’s Go),” Hitkidd & GloRilla“Tomorrow 2,” GloRilla & Cardi B“Wait For U,” Future Feat. Drake & Tems
Best Female Hip Hop Artist Cardi B Coi LerayGloRillaIce SpiceLattoMegan Thee StallionNicki Minaj
Best Male Hip Hop Artist21 SavageDrakeFutureJ. ColeJack HarlowKendrick LamarLil Baby
Video of the Year“We (Warm Embrace),” Chris Brown“2 Million Up,” Peezy, Jeezy & Real Boston Richey feat. Rob49“About Damn Time,” Lizzo“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy“First Class,” Harlow“Kill Bill,” SZA“Tomorrow 2,” GloRilla & Cardi B
Video Director of the YearA$AP Rocky for AWGEBenny BoomBurna BoyCole BennettDave Free & Kendrick LamarDirector XTeyana “Spike Tey” Taylor
Best New ArtistAmbréCoco JonesDoechiiFLOGloRillaIce SpiceLola Brooke
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award“Bless Me,” Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin“Finished (Live),” Tamela Mann“I’ve Got Joy,” CeCe Winans“Kingdom,” Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin Feat. Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore“New,” Tye Tribbett“One Moment From Glory,” Yolanda Adams“The Better Benediction (Pt.2),” PJ Morton feat. Lisa Knowles-Smith, Le’andria Johnson, Keke Wyatt, Kierra Sheard & Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Viewer’s Choice Award“About Damn Time,” Lizzo“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé“First Class,” Jack Harlow“Jimmy Cooks,” Drake Feat 21 Savage“Kill Bill,” SZA“Last Last,” Burna Boy“Super Freaky Girl,” Nicki Minaj“Wait For U,” Future Feat. Drake & Tems
Best International ActAya Nakamura (France)Ayra Starr (Nigeria)Burna Boy (Nigeria)Central Cee (UK)Ella Mai (UK)Ko (South Africa)L7nnon (Brazil)Stormzy (UK)Tiakola (France)Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)
Viewer’s Choice: Best New International ActAsake (Nigeria)Camidoh (Ghana)Flo (UK)Libianca (Cameroon)Maureen (France)MC Ryan SP (Brazil)Pabi Cooper (South Africa)Raye (UK)Werenoi (France)
BET Her“About Damn Time,” Lizzo“Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2,” Pinkpantheress & Ice Spice“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé“Her,” Megan Thee Stallion“Lift Me Up,” Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From And Inspired By – Rihanna & Ludwig Göransson“Players,” Coi Leray“Special,” Lizzo
Best MovieBlack Panther: Wakanda ForeverCreed 3EmancipationNopeThe Woman KingTillWhitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody
Best ActorAmin JosephBrian Tyree HenryDamson IdrisDaniel KaluuyaDemetrius ‘Lil Meech’ Flenory Jr.Donald GloverMichael B. Jordan
Best ActressAngela BassettCoco JonesJanelle JamesJanelle MonáeKeke PalmerViola DavisZendaya
Youngstars AwardAkira AkbarAlaya HighDemi SingletonGenesis DeniseMarsai MartinThaddeus J. Mixson Young Dylan
Sportswoman of the Year AwardAlexis MorrisAllyson Felix Angel ReeseCandace ParkerNaomi Osaka Serena WilliamsSha’carri Richardson
Sportsman of the Year AwardAaron Judge Bubba WallaceGervonta DavisJalen HurtsLebron JamesPatrick MahomesStephen Curry
The 2023 BET Awards will air live from Los Angeles on Sunday, June 25. It will be the latest awards show to celebrate five decades of hip-hop. The Grammys and the Juno Awards also gave hip-hop a 50th anniversary salute on their 2023 editions in February and March, respectively.
This will be the 23rd edition of the BET Awards, which calls itself “Culture’s Biggest Night.”
“We are thrilled to be back in L.A. for BET Awards 2023 and to celebrate a huge cultural milestone – the 50th anniversary of hip-hop,” Connie Orlando, EVP specials, music programming and music strategy at BET, said in a statement. “For five decades, hip-hop has not only influenced American culture, but has become a global phenomenon and one of the most influential musical genres of our lifetime. From music to fashion, art, and entertainment, we are honored to have always provided a platform for hip-hop to thrive. We look forward to paying tribute to the pioneers and innovators as we amplify the new generation of hip-hop artists like only BET can.”
This year’s venue hasn’t yet been finalized. The show has been held at the Microsoft Theater every year since 2013, except the 2020 show, which was a virtual production due to the pandemic.
Taraji P. Henson hosted the 2021 and 2022 BET Awards, becoming the show’s first repeat host since Black-ish stars Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross co-hosted in 2015-16. Other hosts since the show moved from the Shrine Auditorium to the Microsoft Theater have been Chris Tucker, Chris Rock, Leslie Jones, Jamie Foxx and Regina Hall. (Amanda Seales hosted the 2020 show.)
Orlando will executive produce this year’s show, with Jamal Noisette, VP, specials, music programming & music strategy to co-executive produce for BET. Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company for the show, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serving as executive producers.
The BET Awards has been the top-rated cable award show among all adults 18-49 the past two years, and has been the No. 1 cable award show among Black adults 18-49 for the past 21 years.