BEYONCE, CARDI B, DRAKE, MIGOS, SZA, BLACK PANTHER, DJ KHALED TAKE TOP AWARD HONORS AT BET AWARDS 2018
ANITA BAKER HONORED WITH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
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- COLE, MEEK MILL, JANELLE MONÁE, NICKI MINAJ, SNOOP DOGG, MIGOS, MIGUEL,
& MORE DELIVER MOMENTOUS PERFORMANCES
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#BETAWARDS
LOS ANGELES, CA (June 25, 2018) – Last night, BET Networks recognized an exceptional lineup of artists, entertainers, cultural provocateurs and inspiring humanitarians across over 19 categories at the 18th Annual BET Awards. The ceremony, hosted by Academy and Grammy-award winner, Jamie Foxx, aired live from the Microsoft Theater at L.A. LIVE on Sunday, June 24, 2018.
This year’s broadcast celebrates 18 years of impactful performances from the hottest names in the business and appearances from entertainment’s most talked-about players. More than ever, the BET Awards continues to tackle and support culturally and socially relevant narratives and conversations, setting the standard for one of the most intently unconventional, news-provoking and talked-about broadcasts.
“BET AWARDS 18” Show Highlights Include:
Host Jamie Foxx opened the show with a witty Wakanda-themed banter focused on the film’s star Michael B. Jordan who was seated front-row. Jamie then lured Jordan on stage to recite a profound passage about honor and sacrifice from the record-breaking blockbuster.
Critically acclaimed lyricist, conscientious hip hop artist and record producer, J. Cole, performed a medley of “Friends” with Daniel Caesar and Wale. Later, Miguel joined the stage for a soulful and resounding version of “Come Through and Chill.”
Atlanta trap trio Migos performed hits “Walk It Talk It” and “Stir Fry,” hyping the crowd and bringing them to their feet. They also took home the BET Award for “Best Group” later in the show.
Jamie Foxx went off-script to pay tribute to fellow artist Childish Gambino, imitating the dance style featured in his iconic hit “This is America,” while also hailing Glover as a songwriter, philanthropist, movie star, and overall badass. Foxx then called up him on stage for an impromptu performance of the track.
Nicki Minaj took over the BET stage once again with a fierce version of her current single, “Chun Li.” She later re-appeared alongside 2 Chainz and Big Sean as featured artists on YG’s performance of “Big Bank.”
A star-studded performance was delivered for this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Anita Baker. Marsha Ambrosius, Ledisi, and Yolanda Adams blew the house down with their riveting renditions of Baker’s “Caught Up in the Rapture,” ”Sweet Love,” and “You Bring Me Joy,” respectively. The crowd-raising tribute had Ms. Baker visibly in tears and overwhelmed with emotion.
For the first time, BET honored six Humanitarian Heroes, individuals who have done extraordinary things in some of the most disheartening and trying of situations. Presented by John Legend, those honored included James Shaw Jr. (disarmed Waffle House shooter), Naomi Wadler (11 year-old speaker at March For Our Lives), Mamoudou Gassama (Climbed outside of building to save dangling 4 year-old), Justin Blackman (only student to walk out of his High School on National Student Walk-Out Day), Shaun King (journalist who has been instrumental in covering untold stories in the black community), Anthony Borges (Parkland Victim/Hero who threw himself in line of fire – shot five times).
Meek Mill delivered a powerful performance of his first new song since being released from prison, “Stay Woke,” addressing the abhorrent inequalities in the criminal justice system, and included vivid imagery of police violence and mass incarceration. The rapper also wore a sweatshirt that honored late rappers XXXTentacion and Jimmy Wopo on stage.
Janelle Monae gave a strong, empowering performance of “Django Jane” and “I Like That” featuring high-energy choreography by an army of female dancers.
Snoop Dogg transformed the house of the Microsoft Theater into a house party, as the crowd rapped the lyrics to a medley of the iconic rapper’s biggest hits, including “Who Am I (What’s My Name),” “The Next Episode,” and “Sunrise” with Sly Piper. He finished the performance with an uplifting rendition of “You” in collaboration with gospel star Tye Tribbett to close out the show.
Presenters included the entertainment industry’s top black actors, artists, and entrepreneurs including Michael B. Jordan, Kevin Hart, T.I., L.L. Cool J, Bobby Brown, Tyra Banks, Tyler Perry and Questlove.
In addition to all of these must-see moments, the complete list of the “BET Awards” 2018 winners is:
Best Female R&B / Pop Artist Award
Beyonce
Best Male R&B / Pop Artist Award
Bruno Mars
Best Group Award
Migos
Best Collaboration Award
DJ Khaled feat. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – Wild Thoughts
Best Male Hip Hop Artist Award
Kendrick Lamar
Best Female Hip Hop Artist Award
Cardi B
Video of the Year Award
Drake – God’s Plan
Video Director of the Year Award
Ava Duvernay
Best New Artist Award
SZA
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
Lecrae feat. Tori Kelly – I’ll Find You
The Best International Act Award
Davido (Nigeria)
Best Actress Award
Tiffany Haddish
Best Actor Award
Chadwick Boseman
Young Stars Award
Yara Shahidi
Best Movie Award
Black Panther
Sportswoman of the Year Award
Serena Williams
Sportsman of the Year Award
LeBron James
Album of the Year Award
DAMN. – Kendrick Lamar
BET Her Award
Mary J. Blige – Strength of a Woman
Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
Cardi B – Bodak Yellow
Select clips for the “BET AWARDS 18” will be available at www.bet.com and here.
BET.com/Awards is the official site for the “BET AWARDS 18” and features all the incredible content from this year’s show. Join the conversation on social media by following BET Awards on the following platforms:
The “BET Awards” 2018 will premiere around the world on BET’s international networks. It will air in the UK on June 26th at 9:00PM BST, in Africa on June 26th at 8:00PM CAT, in France on June 26th at 9:00PM CEST and in South Korea on June 26th at 9:00PM KST. Internationally, fans in 100 countries can also stream the “BET Awards” 2018 live with BET Play, BET International’s subscription video on demand application. The iOS and Android app, which also features current and classic BET television series, documentaries, stand-up comedy and legendary musical performances, will carry a live feed of the red carpet and the Awards, and is available for download now in the iTunes and Google Play stores for $3.99 a month following a seven-day free trial.
Connie Orlando, Executive Vice-President, Head of Programming at BET will serve as Executive Producer for the “BET Awards” 2018 along with Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment.
ABOUT “BET AWARDS”
The “BET Awards” is one of the most watched award shows on cable television according to the Nielsen Company. The “BET Awards” franchise remains as the #1 program in cable TV history among African-Americans, and it is BET’s #1 telecast every year. It recognizes the triumphs and successes of artists, entertainers, and athletes in a variety of categories.
BET EXPERIENCE AT L.A. LIVE PRESENTED BY COCA-COLA®
BET Networks, an entertainment powerhouse, and AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company and developer/operator of L.A. LIVE, have teamed up once again to create the BET EXPERIENCE AT L.A. LIVE (BETX), June 21 – 24, 2018 presented by Coca-Cola®. This four-day festival will be filled with music concerts taking place at The Novo by Microsoft and STAPLES Center; the BET Fan Fest at the Los Angeles Convention Center including seminars, celebrity basketball games, celebrity meet & greets; and other special interactive events. The weekend will be capped off with the “BET Awards” on Sunday, June 24, 2018 at Microsoft Theater.
ABOUT AEG
Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, AEG is the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company. With offices on five continents, AEG operates in the following business segments: AEG Facilities, which is affiliated with or owns, manages or consults with more than 120 preeminent arenas, stadiums, theaters, clubs and convention centers around the world including The O2 Arena, the Sprint Center and the Mercedes-Benz Arenas; AEG Presents, which is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performances, including producing and promoting global and regional concert tours, music and special events and world-renowned festivals; AEG Real Estate, which develops world-class venues, as well as major sports and entertainment districts like STAPLES Center and L.A. LIVE; AEG Sports, which is the world’s largest operator of sports franchises and high-profile sporting events; and AEG Global Partnerships, which oversees worldwide sales and servicing of sponsorships including naming rights, premium seating and other strategic partnerships. Through its worldwide network of venues, portfolio of powerful sports and music brands and its integrated entertainment districts, AEG entertains more than 100 million guests annually. More information about AEG can be found at www.aegworldwide.com.
ABOUT JESSE COLLINS ENTERTAINMENT
Jesse Collins Entertainment (JCE) is a full service television and film production company founded by entertainment industry veteran Jesse Collins. For more than a decade, Collins has played an integral role in producing some of television’s most memorable moments in music entertainment. Collins has produced ground-breaking and award winning television programming including the BET Awards, the GRAMMY Awards, Soul Train Awards, BET Honors, UNCF An Evening of Stars, ABFF Awards and the BET Hip Hop Awards. Collins was an executive producer of the hit TV series, Real Husbands of Hollywood starring Kevin Hart, the critically-acclaimed The New Edition Story, a biopic on the boy band that aired as a 3-part mini-series on BET in January 2017 and posted record ratings for the network and attracted nearly 30 million viewers. He is also the executive producer of VH1 shows Dear Mama and Hip Hop Squares with Ice Cube. He has appeared on the cover of Vibe magazine and has been featured in numerous publications including Ebony magazine. JCE will next produce The Bobby Brown Story. The mini-series will pick up where The New Edition mini-series left off and chronicle the talented but troubled singer’s exit from the popular ’80s boy band through his solo success, his affair with Janet Jackson and tabloid-fodder marriage to pop icon Whitney Houston. Spanning 30 years of Brown’s life, the new project follows his story from the hard streets of Roxbury, where he turned to a life of drug dealing before being given the chance to prove himself as a solo artist. The Bobby Brown Story also will be a story about redemption. Through sobriety, the singer learns to be a better man, husband and father — finding love again and remarrying in 2012. It will air on BET in September 2018.
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