Everything That Went Down at the 2024 BET Awards
All of the best performances, unexpected pairings and pre-show looks from the Peacock Theater last night.
2024’s BET Awards brought out the best in the star-studded slate of guests who filled the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles last night.
Before the show even kicked off, the lineup of actors, athletes, and other A-list attendees already proved they weren’t out to play, bringing only their finest and most fly ‘fits to the show’s red carpet.
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Once the four-hour show began, records were quickly shattered, performances proved more powerful than in recent years, and, the women popped out – literally, in the case of host Taraji P. Henson covering Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” – and picked up a plethora of awards.
Below, Hypebeast rounded up some of the most notable moments of the night.
Megan Thee Stallion Opens with MEGAN Medley
Thee Stallion kicked off the show with a captivating compilation of MEGAN tracks. Emerging from an egg – à la MEGAN album cover – the rapper performed a medley of cuts from the LP: “Hiss,” “Boa” and “Where Them Girls At.”
Tyla Wins Best New Artist, Performs “Jump” With Gunna, Skillibeng
After scoring two awards already – Best New Artist and Best International Act – Tyla took the stage to perform TYLA hit “Jump” with Gunna and Skillibeng. The trio turned the Peacock Theater stage into a Joburg jungle, with a tiger, elephant and dancers on stilts.
Will Smith’s Live Debut of New Song “You Can Make It”
Will Smith took the stage to perform his new single “You Can Make It.” Featuring Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir, “You Can Make It” marks his first solo music release in over five years. For the fiery performance, Smith was joined on stage by Kirk Franklin, Chandler Moore and the Sunday Service Choir for his first BET appearance since 2022.
Taraji P. Henson’s Cover of “Not Like Us”
Host Taraji P. Henson had to pop out – and capitalize on the continuing vitality of Kendrick Lamar‘s “Not Like Us.” Henson took the stage donning Lamar’s The Pop Out: Ken and Friends outfit and put a timely spin on the track. “No beef in here, can you say plant-based,” she closed out.
Sexyy Red Brings the White House to Los Angeles for “Get It Sexyy”
After a concise “U My Everything” performance, Sexyy Red transformed the Peacock Theater into the White House for “Get It Sexyy.” Big Sexyy changed from her red gown into her business casual best, delivering the lyrics in front of a White House set, complete with a “Sexyy Red for President” seal on the stage floor.
Victoria Monét Brings Out KAYTRANADA, Wins Video of the Year Award
It was a great night for Victoria Monét. Not only did the songstress snag awards for Video of the Year and BET Her – both for “On My Mama,” – but she also took the stage for an impressive performance of the track. She followed it up with “Alright,” surprising the crowd by bringing out KAYTRANADA behind the mixers.
Killer Mike’s MICHAEL Wins Album of The Year
MICHAEL continues its reign as one of the most poignant and powerful rap albums of the year, taking home the award for Album of the Year. Childish Gambino presented the award to Killer Mike, who then addressed his Grammy Awards arrest in his speech. “Because of BET, I’m back … Black men and women, I am you… and this win is absolutely ours.”
Childish Gambino, Latto, Coco Jones, Summer Walker and More Deliver Nostalgic Usher Tribute Performance
After winning the award for Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, Usher took home the Lifetime Achievement Award as the second-youngest winner of the coveted award. He was honored by a collaborative compilation performance of some of his greatest hits, complete with contributions from Childish Gambino, Keke Palmer, Chloë, Teyana Taylor, Victoria Monét, Latto, Coco Jones, and Marsha Ambrosius.
