The 2021 BET Awards full list of winners, which includes Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B and other high-profile US artists has been released but before we get into that, here is a brief summary of the main events that went viral on social media.
2021 BET Awards highlights
The award ceremony returned to a live audience for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Suffice it to say, not a beat was skipped in putting together a high-calibre event.
Some of the highlights that have gone viral on social media include Cardi B’s epic baby bump reveal which may rival Beyonce Knowles-Carter Love On Top unveiling at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.
Cardi B with the iconic pregnancy reveal at the #BETAwards. pic.twitter.com/JC2uQMeH72
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) June 28, 2021
Staying true to the ceremony’s Year of the Black Woman theme, rapstress legend Lil Kim’s tribute to Lifetime Achievement honouree, Queen Latifah, was a tear-jerking throwback that social media will recall for years to come.
Yaaaasss Lil Kim & Mc Lyte doing this UNITY tribute to Queen Latifah! #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/Ndwrnyv3v8
— ♓☥ Ѵ SHΛKTĨ ☥♓ (@RighteousRoar) June 28, 2021
Much of the buzz on socials would not have tipped the scales if it was not for Lil Was X pulling off a brazen ‘frenchie’ during his performance of Montero.
Lil Nas X full on made out with that man, he bold as hell fr #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/sHRsXysQbi
— 🙂 (@MysticNaii) June 28, 2021
Watch: Performers who stole the show
The night was filled with marquee performances, from Megan Thee Stallion, DaBaby, DJ Khaled, HER and many more. Watch some of the highlights below:
RIP TO THE REALEST! Rest easy X! #BETAwards #CulturesBiggestNight pic.twitter.com/sp7heDdH0L
— BET (@BET) June 28, 2021
Ladies First! @rapsody and @DaRealMonieLove unite with @LilKim and @mclyte to pay tribute to @IAMQUEENLATIFAH! #BETAwards #CulturesBiggestNight pic.twitter.com/CQvoUzBpmd
— BET (@BET) June 28, 2021
Major alert! @djkhaled shuts down the #BETAwards stage with @theestallion, @lilbaby4PF, @LilDurk, @dababydababy, and @HERMusicX. #CulturesBiggestNight pic.twitter.com/naDjbKWvTi
— BET (@BET) June 28, 2021
2021 BET Awards complete list of winners
Here is the complete list of 2021 BET Awards winners:
Album of the year
After Hours – The Weeknd
Blame It on Baby – DaBaby
Good News – Megan Thee Stallion
Heaux Tales – Jazmine Sullivan *WINNER
King’s Disease – Nas
Ungodly Hour – Chloe X Halle
Best female R&B / pop artist
Beyoncé
H.E.R. *WINNER
Jazmine Sullivan
Jhené Aiko
Summer Walker
SZA
Best male R&B / pop artist
6lack
Anderson .Paak
Chris Brown
Giveon
Tank
The Weeknd
Best female hip hop artist
Cardi B
Coi Leray
Doja Cat
Megan Thee Stallion *WINNER
Latto
Saweetie
Best male hip hop artist
DaBaby
Drake
J. Cole
Jack Harlow
Lil Baby *WINNER
Pop Smoke
Best new artist
Coi Leray
Flo Milli
Giveon *WINNER
Jack Harlow
Latto
Pooh Shiesty
Best collaboration
Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion — “WAP”
DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch — “Rockstar”
DJ Khaled featuring Drake — “Popstar”
Jack Harlow featuring DaBaby, Tory Lanez & Lil Wayne — “Whats Poppin (Remix)”
Megan Thee Stallion featuring DaBaby — “Cry Baby”
Pop Smoke featuring Lil Baby & DaBaby — “For the Night”
Best group
21 Savage & Metro Boomin
Chloe X Halle
Chris Brown & Young Thug
City Girls
Migos
Silk Sonic *WINNER
Dr Bobby Jones best gospel/inspirational award
Bebe Winans – “In Jesus Name”
CeCe Winans – “Never Lost”
H.E.R. – “Hold Us Together”
Kirk Franklin – “Strong God”
Marvin Sapp – “Thank You for It All”
Tamela Mann — “Touch From You”
BET HER award
Alicia Keys featuring Khalid — “So Done”
Brandy featuring Chance the Rapper — “Baby Mama”
Bri Steves — “Anti Queen”
Chloe X Halle — “Baby Girl”
Ciara featuring Ester Dean — “Rooted”
SZA — “Good Days” *WINNER
Viewer’s choice award
Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion — “WAP”
Chris Brown & Young Thug — “Go Crazy”
DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch — “Rockstar”
DJ Khaled featuring Drake — “Popstar”
Drake featuring Lil Durk — “Laugh Now Cry Later”
Lil Baby — “The Bigger Picture”
Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé — “Savage (Remix)” *WINNER
Silk Sonic — “Leave the Door Open”
Video of the year
Cardi B — “Up”
Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion — “WAP” *WINNER
Chloe X Halle — “Do It”
Chris Brown & Young Thug — “Go Crazy”
Drake featuring Lil Durk — “Laugh Now Cry Later”
Silk Sonic — “Leave the Door Open”
Video director of the year
Benny Boom
Bruno Mars & Florent Déchard
Cole Bennett
Colin Tilley
Dave Meyers
Hype Williams
Best international act
Aya Nakamura (France)
Burna Boy (Nigeria) *WINNER
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Emicida (Brazil)
Headie One (Uk)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Young T & Bugsey (Uk)
Youssoupha (France)
Best movie
“Coming 2 America”
“Judas and the Black Messiah”
“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
“One Night in Miami”
“Soul”
“The United States Vs. Billie Holiday”
Best actress
Andra Day *WINNER
Angela Bassett
Issa Rae
Jurnee Smollett
Viola Davis
Zendaya
Best actor
Aldis Hodge
Chadwick Boseman
Damson Idris
Daniel Kaluuya
Eddie Murphy
Lakeith Stanfield
Youngstars award
Alex R. Hibbert
Ethan Hutchison
Lonnie Chavis
Marsai Martin
Michael Epps
Storm Reid
Sportswoman of the year award
A’ja Wilson
Candace Parker
Claressa Shields
Naomi Osaka *WINNER
Serena Williams
Skylar Diggins-Smith
Sportsman of the year award
Kyrie Irving
Lebron James *WINNER
Patrick Mahomes
Russell Westbrook
Russell Wilson
Stephen Curry
