LOS ANGELES (AP) — Grammy winner Doechii turned her BET Awards second into a strong name for justice, utilizing the stage to focus on the immigration raids and protest crackdowns occurring simply miles from the place the ceremony is happening in Los Angeles.
After being named finest feminine hip-hop artist — her first-ever BET Award — Doechii acknowledged her fellow nominees, then shifted the highlight to the problems unfolding exterior the venue.
“There are ruthless assaults which are creating concern and chaos in our communities within the title of regulation and order,” mentioned Doechii, who won a Grammy for finest rap album, solely the third girl to win in that class.
“Trump is utilizing army forces to cease a protest,” she mentioned. “I need you all to contemplate what sort of authorities it seems to be when each time we train our democratic proper to protest, the army is deployed in opposition to us. What kind of presidency is that?”
Doechii’s phrases drew applause from the viewers on the Peacock Theater, the place the awards airing stay.
“Persons are being swept up and torn from their households,” she continued. “I really feel prefer it’s my duty as an artist to make use of this second to talk up for all oppressed folks. … All of us should stay in hope and never concern. I hope we stand collectively.”
The present’s host pokes enjoyable at honorees
Kevin Hart kicked off the awards with a flurry of jokes, poking enjoyable at every little thing from celeb names to slippery afterparties.
“There received’t be any afterparties tonight. Issues might get slippery,” he quipped, referencing child oil that is been continuously talked about within the criminal case against Diddy. Hart set the tone for an evening stuffed with humor and on an evening honoring the awards present’s twenty fifth anniversary.
The comic additionally joked concerning the pronunciation of GloRilla and Snoop Dogg ’s actual names, drawing laughs from the gang earlier than turning honest.
Hart paid tribute to Jamie Foxx and teased gospel star Kirk Franklin, who — together with Snoop and Mariah Carey — was honored with the Final Icon Award for his contributions to leisure, neighborhood work, and advocacy.
“Once you get your award tonight, don’t come up right here entrance twerking,” Hart mentioned, as the gang erupted in laughter. The jab was a nod to Franklin’s viral second when he playfully twerked on gospel legend Jacky Clark Chisholm throughout a stay efficiency.
“Don’t come up right here poppin’,” Hart added, as cameras caught Franklin bowing his head and chuckling. “Don’t attempt to blame it on the Lord. The Lord didn’t ask for that. Put it away, Kirk.”
Singer Amerie and rapper Jim Jones have been the primary performers of the present.
The BET Awards is bringing main star energy with Kendrick Lamar who leads the pack with 10 nominations, together with album of the yr for his critically acclaimed challenge “GNX.” His ubiquitous diss observe “Not Like Us,” emanating from the Drake feud, acquired nominations for video of the yr and viewer’s alternative award.
Lamar made waves together with his Grammy triumph, successful music and report of the yr for “Not Like Us.” He adopted up with a groundbreaking halftime show, changing into the primary solo hip-hop performer to headline the coveted slot. The rap megastar is presently on the Grand National Tour with SZA.
Who else is nominated?
Doechii, Drake, Future and GloRilla tied for the second-most nominations with six. Metro Boomin pulled in 5 nods, whereas SZA and The Weeknd every scored 4.
Who’re the present’s performers?
Rap icon Lil Wayne, rapper GloRilla and singer Teyana Taylor will hit the BET Awards stage.
The lineup of performers additionally contains rapper Playboi Carti and singer Leon Thomas.
Will there be any tributes?
The BET Awards will supply tributes to former fashionable hosts and performances, together with the community’s once-flagship program “106 & Park. ”
“’106 & Park’ was greater than only a music countdown present; it was the heartbeat of Black youth tradition and one of many highest-rated BET packages for over a decade,” mentioned Scott Mills, BET’s president and CEO. The weekday present launched in 2000 and lasted for greater than a decade.
The present thrived with a video countdown, interviews and performances.
The present will reunite previous hosts A.J. Calloway, Free, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz and Terrence J. The tribute will characteristic performers equivalent to Bow Wow, Amerie, B2K, Jim Jones, Mya, T.I. and Mr. 106 & Park.
It isn’t but recognized whether or not Carey, Snoop, Foxx and Franklin will obtain particular person tributes through the ceremony.
Are there every other standout nominees?
There’s a aggressive record of top-notch actors trying to take dwelling the highest award of their class.
For finest actor, the class contains: Aaron Pierre, Aldis Hodge, Anthony Mackie, Colman Domingo, Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Joey Bada$$, Kevin Hart, Sterling Okay. Brown and Will Smith.
For finest actress, the nominees embrace: Andra Day, Angela Bassett, Coco Jones, Cynthia Erivo, Keke Palmer, Kerry Washington, Quinta Brunson, Viola Davis and Zendaya.
Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Simone Biles, Angel Reese and Jalen Hurts are among the many sports activities stars competing for awards.