Black voices highlighted at BET Awards 2020
Updated 18:26, 29-Jun-2020
CGTN

The BET Awards, an annual show that celebrates Black excellence in entertainment and sports, was aired Sunday night, with artists highlighting the Black Lives Matter movement and equal rights.

In response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the show was moved from the traditional stage to online live-streaming with a mix of pre-recorded performances and virtual appearances, marking "a first for the network," the organizers said. 

The three-hour event showed performances that were sharp with artsy stage production. It served as a welcome break from the "living room" and homebound performances hundreds of artists have shared on social media since the pandemic hit in March.

Hosted by comedian and actress Amanda Seales, the show kicked off with Black artists rapping and singing anthems about the Black experience and fighting for justice. 

Da Baby's performance of "Rockstar" began with the rapper singing while lying on the ground under the knee of a police officer, in a recreation of last month's arrest and death of George Floyd in Minneapolis that sparked the protests.

Roddy Ricch wore a "Black Lives Matter" shirt; John Legend played his ballad "We Will Never Break." Alicia Keys sang an emotional new song, "Perfect Way to Die" about the black lives lost over the decades.

Screenshot of BET's tweet on June 29, 2020.

Screenshot of BET's tweet on June 29, 2020.

Singer Beyoncé was honored with the Humanitarian Award during the show after former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama highlighted her commitment to the Black community.  "You can see it in everything she does, from her music that gives voice to Black joy and Black pain, to her activism that demands justice for Black lives," said Obama.

At her acceptance speech, Beyoncé said, "Your voices are being heard and you're proving to our ancestors that their struggles were not in vain."

Awards went to Ricch's "Please Excuse Me for Being Anti-Social," which won Album of the Year, Megan Thee Stallion for best female hip-hop artist and Lizzo was named best female R&B/pop artist. Overall, Chris Brown, Beyoncé and Roddy Ricch were the night's big winners, taking home two awards each.

The show marked BET's 20th awards show and BET's 40th year as a network that aired on CBS for the first time. Winners in the 21 categories were selected by BET's Voting Academy, which is comprised of fans and an esteemed group of entertainment professionals.

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(With input from agencies)

(Cover: The combination photo shows, from left, Roddy Ricch performs at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on January 29, 2020, Beyoncé performs during the Kobe Bryant Memorial Service on February 24, 2020, and Megan Thee Stallion attends the New York Fashion Week on February 11, 2020. /VCG)