BET Awards: Will Smith, Killer Mike and Victoria Monet receive standing ovations

Between the explosive performances and touching speeches, the BET Awards were evangelized with a moving performance from Will Smith, a killer speech from Killer Mike and host Taraji P. Henson reminding viewers to get out and vote in the next presidential election.

Performing in a ring of fire backed by the Sunday Service Choir and R&B singer Friday, Smith rapped his new song “You Can Make It,” appearing to address the difficult time he faced personally and professionally after slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars two years ago. “I’m here to tell you that you can do it,” he told the Peacock Theatre audience at the start of the performance, which ended with this message: “Dance through your darkest moments.”

Rain fell on Sunday during the redemption show, which also featured gospel star Kirk Franklin and his words of courage and wisdom. “No one has an easy journey, we all have a cross to bear, but there is wisdom in fire, and every moment is an opportunity,” Smith said. “Embrace the journey. »

The rapper and Oscar-winning actor received a standing ovation from the audience, including actress Ms. Pat. Henson was thrilled as she introduced Smith, calling him “my brother.”

Mike also provided one of the show’s emotional and charged moments after winning Album of the Year for Michael — a similar award he won at the Grammys in February, but was arrested moments later following a scuffle with a security guard outside the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. This new victory comes days after prosecutors with the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office chose not to file charges over the incident.

“Technically, I wasn’t supposed to be here. I was handcuffed and taken out of that building. But I want to tell you, look at God, because I’m back, baby. I’m back and I’m winning. And I want to tell black people that thanks to BET, I’m back. Not because no white people call anyone. A black man runs his business. A black company put on this show and they brought my black ass back here. Thank you everyone,” Mike said, receiving thunderous applause from the crowd.

“A lot of people will say, ‘Who was he?’ Why did he get it? I am the representation of one of the most beautiful things God has ever done, and that is half of the black family, of black men and women, I am you. Whether you are young, whether you are old, whether you like me or not, I am absolutely you And this victory is absolutely ours,” he continued.

Mike also dabbled in politics: “They’ll tell you who we vote for is important, and it is. Who we vote for on the big stage is important, but it’s even more important that you know who your city councilman is, who your district attorney is. And if you don’t like the candidates, go vote and run yourself. »

Henson reminded viewers throughout the night to vote, even appearing in a recorded video with Vice President Kamala Harris. At one point, Henson got deadly serious. “They’re trying to bring back the draft — who do you think they’re going to draft first? I’m not trying to scare us. I’m trying to educate us,” she said.

“I’m talking to all the crazy people who don’t want to vote,” she added.

The actress kicked off the show by rapping to Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake’s track “Not Like Us,” wearing a red hoodie, jeans and grillz in her teeth.

“I support us all – with a lot of support Weheavy on the all. No arguing here tonight. Can we stay plant-based?” she said to laughter from the audience.

Female artists dominated the night in performances, with Tyla, Sexyy Red, Megan Thee Stallion, GloRilla and Best New Artist winner Ice Spice. brilliant. The duo of five-year-old VanVan and eight-year-old heiress Harris — the daughter of Grammy winners TI and Tiny — had the show’s cutest moment when they performed the anthem “Be You” on a stage that replicated a classroom.

And when Victoria Monet — who also had a winning performance — received the BET HER award for “On My Mama,” she brought her mother on stage and encouraged the women in the room to continue working together. “I just want to say that we really need each other. We must support each other. We must collaborate with a happy face. So anyone in this room who is a black artist, I would love to collaborate and create this anthem together that will break the internet,” said Monet, who also won video of the year.

The women also joined forces to honor Usher through various performances as he won the Lifetime Achievement Award, months after headlining the Super Bowl halftime show in his 30th year in music.

KeKe Palmer was in top form as she brought her “You Make Me Wanna” music video to life on stage, and Coco Jones was a powerhouse of a voice as she belted out “There Goes My Baby,” even dancing in front of Usher and his wife during her performance. Teyana Taylor belted out “Bad Girl” as Monet danced alongside her, Tinashe was flirty during “Nice & Slow,” Chloe brought the energy during “Good Kisser,” Latto rapped Ludacris’ verse on “Yeah!” and Summer Walker sang “Good Good,” her collaboration with Usher. Childish Gambino kicked off the tribute — with what sounded like a tech to smooth out his vocals — with a sultry rendition of “U Don’t Have to Call,” while Marsha Ambrosius belted out “Superstar” despite struggling with the opening riff.

Usher warned the crowd that he “loves to talk” and delivered a 14-minute speech, with some of his words cut off as he began swearing to fully express himself.

He removed his glasses as his lyrics turned serious — mentioning his father’s missteps and honoring the supporting men who stood by him, including managers and producers Babyface, LA Reid, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Jermaine Dupri and others.

Usher also called on the crowd to forgive those who have wronged you. “We must be willing to forgive. We must be willing to be open. I tell you: You stand before a man who had to forgive a man who never showed up, and look what I did with it,” Usher said to applause from the audience. “Look what I was able to introduce. This is what’s real and this is what makes us human.”

Lauryn Hill closed out the nearly four-hour show with multiple performances: she celebrated her classic 1998 album, The Bad Education of Lauryn Hill; she joined her 22-year-old son, YG Marley, as he performed his TikTok hit “Praise Jah In the Moonlight”; and she reunited with Wyclef Jean for a (sort of) Fugees reunion (sans Pras) with a rendition of “Fu-Gee-La.”