The 2022 BET Awards aired live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 26th.
Lizzo opened the night with an electrifying performance in a gold disco ball-Esque jumpsuit, singing her current hit “About Damn Time,” before the host, Taraji P. Henson welcomed the packed audience.
The show featured a slew of performances, including surprise appearances by some of our favorite 90s artists. Among them were Jack Harlow’s set, which included a cameo from Lil Wayne for their new song “Poison,” as well as Brandy, who appeared to perform her freestyle verse on Harlow’s hit song “First Class.”
Put some respect on the vocal bible’s name!
— KenBarbieBrandy reminded Jack Harlow exactly who she was, joining him on stage with her remix of “First Class.” #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/KijnntilsO (@itsKenBarbie) June 27, 2022
Latto, who won Best New Artist, performed her singles “It’s Giving” and “Big Energy,” the latter of which featured an appearance by Mariah Carey, who brought her signature voice and falsetto notes for a fitting remix.
Roddy Rich and Babyface also joined Ella Mai for unforgettable performances of her songs “DMFU,” “Keeps on Fallin’,” and “How.” The stage was also shut down by Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music, Chance the Rapper and Joey Bada$$, Muni Long, Doechii, Fireboy DML, Chlöe, and GIVÉON.
But perhaps the most entertaining moment of all was when Sean “Diddy” Combs was presented with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Following a nostalgic tribute by Jodeci, who performed “Come & Talk to Me,” and BET Her Award-winner Mary J. Blige, who performed “I’m Going Down,” Puffy performed a medley of Bad Boy Records hits with an all-star lineup that included Shyne, Lil Kim, Bryson Tiller, Faith Evans, and Maverick City Music.
Diddy received a standing ovation as he accepted the well-deserved award after being introduced by Babyface and Kanye “Ye” West. Diddy announced during his speech that he would donate $1 million to Howard University and another $1 million to Deion Sanders and Jackson State University.
Various stars in addition to the musical acts and tributes used their platforms to speak out against the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade and increasing gun violence across the country, including Jazmine Sullivan, Taraji P. Henson, and Janelle Monae (who most eloquently and succinctly summed up most of the country’s feelings by saying, “Fuck you, Supreme Court.”)
Here are the looks of Black celebrities showing up to slay the Red Carpet with their dresses, suits, and other outfits they had in mind. Everyone from pop stars like Lizzo to A-list actors like Taraji P. Henson:
The names of the winners of the 2022 BET awards are as follows:
BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST
- Ari Lennox
- Chlöe
- Doja Cat
- H.E.R.
- Jazmine Sullivan
- Mary J. Blige
- Summer Walker
BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST
- Blxst
- Chris Brown
- Giveon
- Lucky Daye
- The Weeknd
- Wizkid
- Yung Bleu
BEST GROUP
- Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak)
- Chlöe X Halle
- City Girls
- Lil Baby & Lil Durk
- Migos
- Young Dolph & Key Glock
BEST COLLABORATION
- Wizkid feat Justin Bieber & Tems – “Essence”
- DJ Khaled fest. Lil Baby & Lil Durk – “Every Chance I Get”
- Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar – “Family Ties
- Doja Cat feat. SZA – “Kiss Me More”
- Drake feat. Future & Young Thug – “Way 2 Sexy”
- Bia feat. Nicki Minaj – “Whole Lotta Money (Remix)”
BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST
- Cardi B
- Doja Cat
- Latto
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Nicki Minaj
- Saweetie
BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST
- Drake
- Future
- J. Cole
- Jack Harlow
- Kanye West
- Kendrick Lamar
- Lil Baby
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
- Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar – “Family Ties”
- Chlöe – “Have Mercy”
- Doja Cat feat. SZA – “Kiss Me More”
- Ari Lennox – “Pressure”
- Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak) – “Smokin Out The Window”
- Drake feat. Future & Young Thug – “Way 2 Sexy”
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
- Anderson .Paak a.k.a. Director .Paak
- Benny Boom
- Beyoncé & Dikayl Rimmasch
- Director X
- Hype Williams
- Missy Elliott
BEST NEW ARTIST
- Baby Keem
- Benny the Butcher
- Latto
- Muni Long
- Tems
- Yung Bleu
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
- Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak) – An Evening with Silk Sonic
- H.E.R. – Back of My Mind
- Tyler, the Creator – Call Me If You Get Lost
- Drake – Certified Lover Boy
- Kanye West – Donda
- Jazmine Sullivan – Heaux Tales, Mo’ Tales: The Deluxe
- Doja Cat – Planet Her
DR. BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
- Marvin Sapp – “All In Your Hands”
- Kanye West – “Come to Life”
- Kelly Price – “Grace”
- Fred Hammond – “Hallelujah”
- H.E.R. & Tauren Wells – “Hold Us Together (Hope Mix)”
- Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music – “Jireh”
- Lil Baby X Kirk Franklin – “We Win”
BET HER
- Alicia Keys – “Best of Me (Originals)”
- Mary J. Blige – “Good Morning Gorgeous”
- Chlöe – “Have Mercy”
- Ari Lennox – “Pressure”
- Jazmine Sullivan – “Roster”
- Summer Walker & Ari Lennox – “Unloyal”
- Doja Cat – “Woman”
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
- Dave (UK)
- Dinos (France)
- Fally Ipupa (DRC)
- Fireboy DML (Nigeria)
- Little Simz (UK)
- Ludmilla (Brazil)
- Major League DJZ (South Africa)
- Tayc (France)
- Tems (Nigeria)
BEST MOVIE
- Candyman
- King Richard
- Respect
- Space Jam: A New Legacy
- Summer of Soul
- The Harder They Fall
BEST ACTOR
- Adrian Holmes – Bel Air
- Anthony Anderson – Black-ish
- Damson Idris – Snowfall
- Denzel Washington – The Tragedy of Macbeth
- Forest Whitaker – Respect / Godfather of Harlem
- Jabari Banks – Bel Air
- Sterling K. Brown – This Is Us
- Will Smith – King Richard
BEST ACTRESS AWARD
- Aunjanue Ellis – King Richard
- Coco Jones – Bel Air
- Issa Rae – Insecure
- Jennifer Hudson – Respect
- Mary J. Blige – Power Book II: Ghost
- Queen Latifah – The Equalizer
- Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary
- Regina King – The Harder They Fall
- Zendaya – Euphoria / Spider-Man: No Way Home
YOUNGSTARS AWARD
- Akira Akbar
- Demi Singleton
- Marsai Martin
- Miles Brown
- Saniyya Sidney
- Storm Reid
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Brittney Griner
- Candace Parker
- Naomi Osaka
- Serena Williams
- Sha’Carri Richardson
- Simone Biles
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
- DAaron Donald
- Bubba Wallace
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Ja Morant
- LeBron James
- Stephen Curry
