BET Gold

 

The first ever BET Awards took place 20 years ago, back in 2001. At the time, the idea of having an African-American centric ceremony was something of a novelty. Both because African-American representation was far less developed than it is today (although this is obviously not the end of the road) and because its cultural impact was still arguably limited. Today, you just need to look at any chart any week (except for the Country charts, if that) and you will find that a ridiculous amount of chart-topping songs and albums emanate from the African-American community at large (the same can also now be said of movies and comedies, by the way). Making the BET Awards an event virtually the size of the Grammys.

Just take a look at a few highlights from yesterday’s 21st BET Awards:

• Cardi B, one of the most successful musicians in the world in recent years, showed up to grab 2 awards — and display her full belly, thus announcing that she and husband Offset were expecting a second child. Her song “WAP” with Megan Thee Stallion won Video of the year and Best collaboration — as it should. Meanwhile, Offset’s band Migos is currently sitting at #2 on the Billboard 200, right behind Polo G;
• The aforementioned Megan Thee Stallion performed her sort of follow-up to “WAP”, “Thot Sh*t“, as well as winning 4 awards in total: those 2 with Cardi B and “WAP”, and another 2 including Best female Hip Hop artist. If you thought she was just passing through, think again;
• In another genre, Jazmine Sullivan‘s sophisticated blend of soulful RnB on Heaux Tales earned her Album of the year. An interesting recognition — on top of the accompanying commercial success — for an artist who very much does her thing at her pace (that album was her first in 5 years);
• Meanwhile, H.E.R. won the Best RnB / pop artist award, because how could she not? The young musician has won everything this year it seems, including a Grammy and an Oscar, so this seems only fitting… The question is, how many more awards will she win by the time she turns 25?
• On yet another note, Lil Nas X performed his massively successful “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” last night. Towards the end of his set, the singer and rapper kissed a male dancer, in a superbly inclusive — and as always slightly provocative — move.
• The Best group award went for Silk Sonic, the Bruno Mars / Anderson .Paak star duo who delivered an instant classic earlier this year with “Leave the Door Open” — and have yet to even announce a release date for their first album…

This is not even an exhaustive list of all the culturally defining moments — and related artists — who took place last night. This goes to show — the BET Awards have become a one-stop shop to find out what his currently relevant in the day and age, at the very least in the United States, and increasingly around the world… (Cowboy) hats off!