Ragesh Dipu
The 2019 BET Awards, one of the biggest celebrations of African American artists, entertainers, athletes, and performers, have unveiled winners on Sunday night. Described as a “celebration of black culture,” the Awards recognize talents across 20 categories. ‘BlacKkKlansman’ emerged as the winner in the Best Movie category beating finalists like ‘Creed II,’ ‘If Beale Street Could Talk,’ ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,’ and ‘The Hate U Give.’
Directed by Spike Lee from a script he co-wrote with Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott, the biographical crime drama stars John David Washington, Adam Driver, Laura Harrier, and Topher Grace. Set in the backdrop of turbulent Colorado of the ‘70s, the movie follows an African-American cop who infiltrates the Ku Klux Klan chapter in the town.
19th BET annual event kick-started with a performance by Cardi B, who got the most number of nominations on Sunday night. Tyler Perry stole the show with his eloquent speech while receiving this year’s Ultimate Icon Award.
“When I built my studio, I built it in a neighborhood that is one of the poorest black neighborhoods in Atlanta, so that young kids could see that a black man did that and they can do it, too,” Perry is quoted as saying by CNN. “The studio was once a Confederate army base, which meant that there were Confederate soldiers on that base plotting and planning on how to keep 3.9 million Negroes enslaved. Now that land is owned by one Negro.”
Mary J. Blige received a lifetime achievement award at the ceremony, which was hosted by Regina Hall. The Awards also paid tribute to the late director John Singleton and rapper Nipsey Hussle.
Check out the complete list of BET Awards 2019 winners below.
Best Movie
Blackkklansman
Best Actor
Michael B. Jordan
Best Actress
Regina King
Video of the Year
Childish Gambino — “This Is America”
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Bruno Mars
Best Group
Migos
Best New International Act (Fan Voted Category)
Sho Madjozi (South Africa)
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi B
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Nipsey Hussle
2019 Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
Ella Mai — “Trip”
Best International Act
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
Snoop Dogg Ft. Rance Allen — “Blessing Me Again”
Album of the Year
Cardi B — Invasion of Privacy
YoungStars Award
Marsai Martin
Best New Artist
Lil Baby
Best Collaboration
Travis Scott Ft. Drake — “Sicko Mode”
Video Director of the Year
Karena Evans
Sportswoman of the Year
Serena Williams
Sportsman of the Year
Stephen Curry
BET Her Award
H.E.R. — “Hard Place”
Cover Image Courtesy: Focus Features.
