It was black culture’s time to shine and thrive at the 2023 BET Awards, held on Sunday, June 25 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Hip-hop was the focus of the awards show as the channel marked the genre’s 50th anniversary with a night of tributes and performances. Artists received their flowers throughout the evening, with Drake and GloRilla topping the list with the most nominations of the evening.
Cardi B, Beyoncé and SZA also had some nominations, while newcomers Coco Jones, Ice Spice and FLO excelled in multiple categories.
Find the full list of nominees and winners here.
album of the year
“Anyway, life is great” – GloRilla
“Breezy” – Chris Brown
“God Did” – DJ Khaled
“Her Loss” – Drake and 21 Savage
“Mr. Morality and the Great Steppers” – Kendrick Lamar
“Renaissance” – Beyoncé
Best New Artist
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
best group
Maverick City Music and Kirk Franklin
Best cooperation
“Big Energy (Remix)” – Latto and Mariah Carey feat. DJ Khaled
“Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2” – Pinkpantheress and Ice Spice
“Call Me Every Day” – Chris Brown feat. joke kid
“Can’t Stop Won’t Stop” – King Combs feat. Kodak Black
“Creepin'” – Metro Boomin, The Weeknd and 21 Savage
“FNF (Let’s Go)” – Hitkidd and GloRilla
Tomorrow 2 – GloRilla and Cardi B
“Wait For U” – Future feat. Drake and Tems
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
video of the year
“We (Warm Embrace)” – Chris Brown
“2 Million Up” – Peezy, Jeezy and Real Boston Richey feat. Rob49
“About Damn Time” – Lizzo
“Bad Habit” – Steve Lacy
“First Class” – Harlow
Tomorrow 2 – GloRilla and Cardi B
Video Director of the Year
Winner: Teyana “Spike Tey” Taylor
Dave Free and Kendrick Lamar
dr Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
“Bless Me” – Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin
“Finished (Live)” – Tamela Mann
“I have joy” – CeCe Winans
“Kingdom” – Maverick City Music and Kirk Franklin feat. Naomi Raine and Chandler Moore
“One Moment From Glory” – Yolanda Adams
“The Better Benediction (Pt.2)” – PJ Morton feat. Lisa Knowles-Smith, Le’andria Johnson, Keke Wyatt, Kierra Sheard and Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Viewer’s Choice Award
Winner: “Break My Soul” – Beyoncé
“About Damn Time” – Lizzo
“First Class” – Jack Harlow
“Jimmy Cooks” – Drake feat. 21 Savage
“Last Last” – Burna Boy
“Super Freaky Girl” – Nicki Minaj
“Wait For U” – Future feat. Drake and Tems
Best International Act
Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)
Viewers’ Choice: Best New International Act
Pabi Cooper (South Africa)
BET
Winner: “Break My Soul” – Beyoncé
“About Damn Time” – Lizzo
“Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2” – Pinkpantheress and Ice Spice
“You” – Megan Thee Stallion
“Lift Me Up” – “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” – Music by and inspired by – Rihanna & Ludwig Göransson
“Player”, Coi Leray “Special”, Lizzo
Best movie
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
“Whitney Houston: I want to dance with someone”
Best actor
Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr.
Best Actress
Youngstars Award
Sportswoman of the Year award
Athlete of the Year Award