2018 'Bet Awards': Anita Baker, H.E.R., Meek Mill shine at BET Awards

World
Europe

02:56

The 2018 BET Awards barely handed out any trophies with big stars like Cardi B, Drake and Kendrick Lamar absent, but the show DID include superior performances by rising singer H.E.R, rapper Meek Mill and gospel artist Yolanda Adams, who paid tribute to Anita Baker and nearly brought her to tears.

Baker, an eight-time Grammy winner who dominated the R&B charts from the early '80s to mid-90s, earned the Lifetime Achievement Award on Sunday (24 JUNE) at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

The 60-year-old used her speech to encourage the artists in the room to keep music alive.

ANITA BAKER AMERICAN SINGER-SONGWRITER "All I would ask is that the music be allowed to play, that singers are allowed to sing, and rappers are allowed to rap, and poets are allowed to rhyme."

H.E.R., whose real name is Gabi Wilson, performed the sweet love song "Best Part," where she was joined by Daniel Caesar.

Meek Mill, who was released from prison in April, rapped the song "Stay Woke" on a stage transformed into a street corner, featuring hustlers, children and police officers.

He also made a statement by wearing a hoodie featuring the face of XXXTentacion, the 20-year-old rapper-singer who died after being shot last week.

JAMIE FOXX AMERICAN ACTOR "We can't get used to these types of things. We're too used to young people getting killed. We got to figure something out."

Snoop Dogg celebrated 25 years in music, performing the classic songs "What's My Name" and "Next Episode". The rapper also performed songs from his recently released gospel album, wearing a choir robe on a stage that looked like a church.

Childish Gambino, whose song and music video "This Is America" tackles racism and gun violence and became a viral hit last month, gave a short, impromptu performance of the song when Foxx brought him onstage.

Migos won best group and gave a fun performance that even had Adams reciting the lyrics. Other performers included J. Cole, Nicki Minaj, Big Sean and more.