LOS ANGELES (AP) – A masked Lil Uzi Vert opened the 2023 BET Awards on a platform suspended from the ceiling, jumping into a pyrotechnics-filled kickoff performance before the show quickly turned into a celebration of hip-hop’s early years .
For a show that promises to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop, she set the tone for a hip-hop history lesson: DJ Kid Capri took the audience through a medley of the earliest days of ’80s New York rap culture The Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight”, MC LYTE’s “Cha Cha Cha”, D-NICE’s “Call ME D-Nice” and Big Daddy Kane’s “Raw” on a partial cover of “Just A Friend”, a tribute to the late big biz Markie.
“Without one person, I wouldn’t be on stage in this store tonight,” Big Daddy Kane said at the introduction to the song. “Rest in peace.” He urged viewers to sing along to the song’s infectious chorus and point to a photo of Markie’s performances on stage.
Vert started the show floating above the stage with “Spin Again” and then switched to “Just Wanna Rock”.
First prize of the night, the coveted Best New Artist award, went to Coco Jones, in a category featuring only female artists.
“For all my black girls, we have to fight a little harder to get what we deserve,” she said in her acceptance speech. “But don’t stop fighting, even if it doesn’t make sense. And you are not sure how to get out of these circumstances. Keep pushing because we deserve big things.”
What followed was a supermarket-style performance of AP’s pick of the summer club song, Latto’s “Put It On Da Floor Again,” sans artist Cardi B, but no less catchy. It ended with a text tribute: “RIP Shawty Lo,” read the screen.
With no host, the show felt like a party. DJ Kid Capri played some tunes from Tupac’s “Hail Mary” to launch a crash course in West Coast rap: “Regulate” by Warren G, “You Can’t Play With My Yo-Yo” by Yo-Yo, “Rack City ‘ by Tyga, and ‘Tell Me When To Go’ by E-40.
Then a change of mood courtesy of Jones, with a glamorous interpretation of her soulful ballad “ICU” with a string quartet.
Teyana “Spike Tey” Taylor was named Video Director of the Year, which her mother Nikki Taylor embraced – like a true matriarch, she paused the show to video call her daughter and let her have the moment.
The show will air live on BET, BET HER and numerous Paramount channels including Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon and VH1.
Drake led the nominations with seven nominations: He is nominated for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist and Male R&B/Pop Artist, as well as earning a number of shared titles including Best Collaboration and Viewer’s Choice with Future and Tems for their song “Wait for U”. Drake is also nominated for Album of the Year and Best Group awards for his collaboration with 21 Savage, “Her Loss,” as well as Audience’s Choice for their hit song “Jimmy Cooks.”
Lizzo and 21 Savage are tied for second in the nominations with five each.
Busta Rhymes will take home the Lifetime Achievement Award – one of the highest honors from the ceremony, which was presented to Sean “Diddy” Combs last year. Widely considered one of the great MCs, the 12-time Grammy Award-nominated rapper, producer and hip-hop pioneer has seven Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits to his credit.
Bia, Coi Leray, Cutty Ranks, Dexta Daps, MOP, Rah Digga, ScarLip, Spice, Supercat and Swizz Beatz will all pay tribute to Rhymes.
It’s one of several moments honoring the legacy of hip-hop that BET has supported for decades through shows like “Rap City” and “106 & Park.”
Patti Labelle will also pay tribute to the late Tina Turner.
Other artists include Chief Keef, DJ Unk, Fast Life Yungstaz & Easton (FLY), Fat Joe, Soulja Boy, Ying Yang Twins and Yo-Yo.