The BET Awards are back. But before you sit down to watch BET’s annual celebration of African American achievement in music, movies, TV and sports, there are a few things you need to know.
When and Where Are the Awards?
The awards take place Sunday, June 27, at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles. The show will air live Sunday night at 8/7c across Viacom-owned channels, including BET, BET Her, LOGO, MTV, MTV2, VH1 and TV Land.
For international viewers, the show will be simulcast on BET Africa at 2 am CAT and MTV Brazil at 9 pm BRT on June 27. There will also be international broadcasts on MTV UK on June 28 at 9 pm BST and BET France on June 29 at 8:45pm CEST. The show will also be available to watch in the UK on My5 and Sky On-Demand beginning June 29. You can also follow the action on Twitter as the @BETAwards account posts live updates.
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Who’s Hosting?
Actress and producer Taraji P. Henson serves as this year’s host. Henson is best known for her Emmy-nominated turn as Cookie Lyon on the Fox series Empire. Henson received an Academy Award nomination for her role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2009). She’s also won a string of BET Awards for her performances on TV and film. The philanthropist and mental health advocate founded the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation in honor of her late father, to offer mental health services to young people in urban schools.
Who’s Performing?
Megan Thee Stallion, plus Andra Day, City Girls, DaBaby, DJ Khaled, H.E.R., Jazmine Sullivan, Kirk Franklin, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Migos, Moneybagg Yo!, Rapsody and Roddy Rich will all take the stage. Up-and-coming artist Tone Stith is set to perform on the BET Amplified Stage, as an artist to watch.
Who’s Being Honored?
Hip-hop artist, film and television actress Queen Latifah will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Per BET, the theme of this year’s show is “Year Of The Black Woman” — to celebrate and honor their impact on the culture.
New York rapper DMX, who passed away in April at age 50, will be remembered during the broadcast. As previously reported, the tribute will include performances of X’s biggest hits by Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Swizz Beatz, Griselda, and more, along with a special appearance by Michael K. Williams.
Who’s Nominated?
Megan Thee Stallion and DaBaby lead the list of nominees with seven nods each. Cardi B and Drake follow with five nominations each. Close behind are Anderson .Paak, Bruno Mars, Chloe X Halle, and Chris Brown with four nods. The full list of nominations can be found here.
After the Show
The celebration continues after the awards with “DJ Cassidy’s Pass the Mic: BET Awards Edition.” In his popular “Pass the Mic” series, Cassidy DJs a set from his living room as iconic artists appear virtually to sing their hit songs. The after show edition highlights 2000s Hip Hop & R&B, with Ashanti, Ja Rule, Nelly, Fabolous, Sean Paul, Kelis, Akon, and Fat Joe set to appear along with other surprise guests. “Pass the Mic: BET Awards Edition” will air at 11:30pm ET on BET, right after the awards.
