#BETAwards2016: 8 Moments We Can’t Stop Talking about from Last Night

The 2016 BET Awards just wrapped up a few hours ago and it was a night filled with amazing music and performances that we won’t be forgetting in a hurry.

Beyonce, Bryson Tiller, Drake, Kirk Franklin, Future, Michael B. Jordan, Taraji P. Henson, Serena Williams, Stephen Curry and more were some of the winners of the night.

Music Icon Prince was honoured during several performances and tons of celebs took the stage to perform throughout the evening.

If you missed it, the show will be shown again on Tuesday, June 28 but we have put together 8 moments that were highlights for us during the event!

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Beyonce & Kendrick Lamar’s Opening Performance

Beyonce opened the show with a surprise performance with Kendrick Lamar as the two of them performed her song “Freedom” at the 2016 BET Awards held at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday (June 26) in Los Angeles.

The 34-year-old entertainer brought all of her amazing Formation dancers and used a water stage for the performance, just as she did on her tour this year!

It was pretty amazing.

Desiigner’s Amazing Energy

Desiigner has energy for daysssss!

Desiigner took to the stage to perform his summer smash hit song “Panda”. The 19-year-old entertainer performed for the screaming crowd at the live show

Prince Tribute with Jennifer Hudson, Tori Kelly & Stevie Wonder

In a custom Christian Siriano outfit Jennifer Hudson joined Tori Kelly and Stevie Wonder on stage for a tribute to the late Prince. She sang his song “Purple Rain” and gave an amazing performance.

Jesse William’s Powerful Speech

Jesse Williams delivered a powerful speech on stage while accepting the Humanitarian Award at the 2016 BET Awards. He was recognized for his works as an activist and as a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement. He protested the death of unarmed teen Michael Brown after he was shot several years ago in Ferguson, Missouri. Among his many other accomplishments and activist efforts, Jesse also met with President Obama to discuss his efforts.

He said “Now, this award, this is not for me, this is for the real organizers all over the country, activist civil rights attorneys, the parents, the teachers, the students who are realizing that a system built to divide and impoverish and destroy us cannot stand if we do. All right? It’s kind of basic mathematics, the more we learn about who we are and how we got here, the more we will mobilize.”

Watch below.

In case u missed it RT @WORLDSTAR: Jesse Williams’ speech at the BET Awards. pic.twitter.com/rZLSXtQaaB

— ♔ME♔ (@Teas_Baby_) June 27, 2016

Toni Braxton & Birdman are a Couple?

Toni Braxton and Birdman seem to have confirmed their relationship after stepping out for the 2016 BET Awards together. The two of them were spotted getting cozy at the awards.

Hosting Duties – Anthony Anderson & Tracee Ellis Ross

Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross were the hosts of the night at the 2016 BET Awards and they did a fine job. They also had quite A LOT of wardrobe changes – but we are not complaining.

Usher’s “Don’t Trump America” Performance

Usher performed his song “No Limit” at the 2016 BET Awards and he wore a “Don’t Trump America” jacket during his performance in a political statement against Donald Trump.

Winners

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyonce (WINNER)
Adele
Andra Day
K. Michelle
Rihanna

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Bryson Tiller (WINNER)
Chris Brown
Jeremih
The Weeknd
Tyrese

Best Group
Drake & Future (WINNER)
2 Chainz & Lil Wayne
Puff Daddy & the Family
Rae Sremmurd
The Internet

Best Collaboration
Rihanna ft. Drake – “Work” (WINNER)
Big Sean ft. Chris Brown & Ty Dolla $ign – “Play No Games”
Big Sean ft. Kanye West & John Legend – “One Man Can Change the World”
Future ft. Drake – “Where Ya At”
Nicki Minaj ft. Beyonce – “Feeling Myself”

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Drake (WINNER)
Fetty Wap
Future
J. Cole
Kanye West
Kendrick Lamar

Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Nicki Minaj (WINNER)
Dej Loaf
Lil Kim
Missy Elliott
Remy Ma

Video of the Year
Beyonce – “Formation” (WINNER)
Bryson Tiller – “Don’t”
Drake – “Hotline Bling”
Kendrick Lamar – “Alright”
Rihanna ft. Drake – “Work”

Video Director of the Year
Director X (WINNER)
Benny Boom
Chris Brown
Colin Tilley and the Little Homies
Hype Williams

Best New Artist
Bryson Tiller (WINNER)
Alessia Cara
Andra Day
Kehlani
Tory Lanez

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
Kirk Franklin (WINNER)
Anthony Brown & Group Therapy
Erica Campbell
Lecrae
Tamela Mann
Tasha Cobbs

Best Actress
Taraji P. Henson (WINNER)
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington
Tracee Ellis Ross
Viola Davis

Best Actor
Michael B. Jordan (WINNER)
Anthony Anderson
Courtney B. Vance
Idris Elba
O’Shea Jackson Jr.

YoungStars Award
Amandla Stenberg (WINNER)
Quvenzhane Wallis
Silento
Willow Smith
Yara Shahidi

Best Movie
Straight Outta Compton (WINNER)
Beasts of No Nation
Concussion
Creed
Dope

Sportswoman of the Year
Serena Williams (WINNER)
Cheyenne Woods
Gabrielle Douglas
Skylar Diggins
Venus Williams

Sportsman of the Year
Stephen Curry (WINNER)
Cam Newton
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Odell Beckham Jr.

Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
Beyonce – “Formation” (WINNER)
Bryson Tiller – “Don’t”
Chris Brown – “Back to Sleep”
Drake – “Hotline Bling”
Future ft. Drake – “Where Ya At”
Rihanna ft. Drake – “Work”

Centric Award
Beyonce – “Formation” (WINNER)
Andra Day – “Rise Up”
K. Michelle – “Not a Little Bit”
Rihanna – “BBHMM”
The Internet – “Under Control”

Best International Act Africa
Wizkid (Nigeria)
AKA (South Africa)
Black Coffee (South Africa) (WINNER)
Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Mzvee (Ghana)
Serge Beynaud (Cote D’Ivoire)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)

Best International Act UK
Skepta (WINNER)
Kano
Krept & Konan
Lianne La Havas
Stormzy
Tinie Tempah

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Other Photos of the Night

Photo Credit: Getty Images/Paras Griffin/BET