The Corona virus lockdown got in the way of many our scheduled events of 2020 like the Met Gala and Coachella. However, it looks like it couldn’t stop the black community from coming together to celebrate each other in a safe environment. On the 28th of June BET premiered the first of its kind, a virtual award show and it was nothing short of fantastic. From virtual red carpets and performances to Amanda Seales memorable wardrobe changes here are our favourite moments from the BET Awards 2020.
Amanda Seales wardrobe changes
This year BET award show was hosted by comedian Amanda Seales from her hilarious bits between the show and her quick changes. The comedian served unforgettable looks from a pink faux fur jacket, a metallic ball gown, the 90s colour block trend to the appropriately timed black panther fit with a black lives matter jersey gold hoops and black hat. The host paid odes to BET classic shows like Teen Summit, 106 & Park, Rap City, Comic View, and Bobby Jones Gospel.
Virtual red carpet
The red carpet, although virtual did not disappoint as our favourite black entertainers proved they could slay even from home. From Lizzo black velvet with iridescent ruffle gown by Mônot accepting the award for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist to Megan Thee Stallion in the black cut out dress winning on the award for the Best Female Hip-Hop Artist.
Tracee Ellis Ross and Marsai Martin stars of TV show Black-ish took a more casual approach Marsai in her pool in a bright yellow dress highlighting her golden locks and Tracee taking an artistic approach to laying her edges.
Beyoncé also made an appearance accepting the award for the humanitarian award. Wearing a black strapless bustier dress with her hair sleeked down. The look was completed by a crystal choker. However, it was not Beyoncé’s look that stole the show but her acceptance speech. Watch the video below to view Beyoncé’s acceptance speech
Video of Beyoncé acceptance speech
The Performances
This year the theme of the show was black culture can’t be cancelled with every performance a statement of all black everything. The night started with a performance from old black hip hop royalty like Chuck D, Flava Flav Nas, Questlove and Rhapsody delivering a powerful medley of ‘Fight the Power. The song, a direct comment on the discrimination the black community is facing in the hands of the police. Megan the stallion also stunned in her ‘Mad Max’ inspired performance of her hit song Savage (Remix) and Girls in the hood.
Teen sensations and stars of Grown-ish Chloe x Halle also delivered a performance of their viral hit “Do It” and “Forgive Me.” which later went viral.
Other performances included Jennifer Hudson paying tribute to Aretha Franklin with the song “Young, Gifted and Black.” Alicia Keys also performed in all black leather reminding us of old school Alicia. Watch the video below to view all the performances from the show.
Video of all BET Performances
Words by Precious Njoki
Graphics by Sara Carpiniello
