• Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Women in Music
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion House
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Color Files Podcast
    • Nails
    • How-To
    • Beauty Carnival-Archive
    • Dope Stuff On My Desk
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
    • Spring Hair And Beauty
  • Love
    • Love & Sex
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle News
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
    • Unbossed Podcast
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
    • Your legacy
  • News
    • BLACK VOTES MATTER
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence

Follow Us

Skip to content
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence
  • Celebrity
    • Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Women in Music
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion House
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Color Files Podcast
    • Nails
    • How-To
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty Carnival-Archive
    • Dope Stuff On My Desk
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • Beauty News
  • Hair
    • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
    • Spring Hair And Beauty
  • Love
    • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • Lifestyle News
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
    • Netflix’s Jingle Jangle Gift Guide
    • Unbossed Podcast
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
    • Your Legacy
  • News
    • News
    • BLACK VOTES MATTER
    • Essence 50th Anniversary
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • Events
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
Home · Celebrity

Janet Jackson, and 10 Other Moments We Loved At the BET Awards

The BET Awards were full of buzzworthy moments—from Janet Jackson's tribute to the Bad Boy reunion. Here are the moments we're still talking about.

By · June 29, 2015October 27, 2020
01
Janet Jackson’s Flawless Comeback

That voice, that grace, that hair. Everything about Janet Jackson was glowing last night as she accepted the BET Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual Award following an all-star tribute featuring Ciara, Tinashe and Jason Derulo. “I’m so grateful for the support you’ve alway given me,” said the the 49-year-old. “My heart is so full. Thank you God for making anything, everything possible.”

Getty
02
Patti Labelle’s Sangin’

Ms. Patti joined Tamar Braxton and K. Michelle for a rousing rendition of her hit, “If Only You Knew.” To some it may have seemed like a simple trio, to us, it felt like an R&B diva teaching the young’uns how it’s done, in song and in life.

Getty
03
Anthony Hamilton and Gary Clark Jr.’s Performance

Their medley of songs celebrating the lives of those who have left us—including B.B. King and the Charleston 9—left no eyes dry in the room. But Twitter’s reaction to Hamilton’s buttery soft voice made things lighthearted. “Whenever Anthony Hamilton start singing a pot of greens start cooking,” tweeted one fan.

Getty
04
Tori Kelly’s Performance

We’re sure we weren’t the only ones wondering who Tori Kelly was after her performance of the Jackson 5’s  “Who’s Loving You?” during the Smokey Robinson tribute.

Getty
05
Smokey Robinson’s Speech

During his acceptance of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Robinson expressed his undying gratitude to his fans and urged his fellow performers to stay humble in their fame. “It’s like a bittersweet wine, and it’s intoxicating,” he said. “There are so many people in this world who wish they had one person who they felt love them. And for you to become hearty and self-absorbed because millions of people around the world—most of them you’ll never know or never meet—love you, it’s so ridiculous. You should be thankful. It’s a blessing.” Consider this one more reason we love Smokey.

JC Olivera/WireImage
06
Nicki Minaj Introducing Her Mom

Nicki Minaj thanked her mother, Carol Maraj, as she accepted her Best Female Hip Hop Artist award. “I always talk about my mommy,” she said. “I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you’ve done for me, I love you so much.”

Getty
07
Kendrick Lamar’s Opening Performance

Yasss. Kendrick’s opening performance got us hyped for the rest of the evening. The ESSENCE Fest headliner started the awards show off on a powerful note, spitting a new verse of “Alright” while standing in front of a ripped American flag and rapping on top of vandalized police cars. We still have chills.

Christopher Polk/BET/Getty Images for BET
08
Rihanna’s Shameless Promotion

When Rihanna stepped to the mic and said, “I’m only here for one reason,” she meant it. From her seat in the audience, bad gal Rih Rih strategically came with props and used the entire award show to promote her upcoming video, #BBHMM. That being said, we can’t wait for what’s to come.

YouTube
09
Tamar Braxton and K. Michelle’s Reconciling

It’s the end of a drama-filled era for Tamar Braxton and K. Michelle. After years of feuding (remember when Tamar accused K. of stealing her wig? And earlier this year, K. called Tamar a muppet?), the two decided to squash their beef and make up once and for all. After performing separately, the two united to sing “If Only You Knew” during a Patti LaBelle tribute. “Life is all about forgiveness, love and unity, so tonight, I’m sorry, K. Michelle, and I also forgive you,” Tamar said. We just love a happy ending! 

Christopher Polk/BET/Getty Images for BET
10
Jussie Smollett’s LGBT Speech

When Jussie speaks, you listen! The Empire star took a moment to speak out on LGBT rights during his “You’re so Beautiful” performance. “We live in a nation where freedom is what we represent, yet we are still fighting every day for the basic freedoms of our people,” he said, saying that the Supreme Court’s decision is proof that our society has come a long way, but there is still work to be done. “No one is free until we are all free.” Preach, Jussie.

Mark Davis/BET/Getty Images for BET
11
Jidenna Reminding Us He’s a Classic Man

And he certainly left a mark. Jidenna had tons of beautiful brothas walking down the aisles in “Classic Man” signs. It looked a little something like a movement!

Instagram

Read More

Lifestyle
Shop These Valentine's Day Gifts By Black-Owned Brands
News
My VP Looks Like Me: These Inauguration Day Tribute Photos W...
Black Celeb Couples
Black Love: Barack and Michelle Obama's Love Through the Years
Entertainment
‘Bridgerton’ Is Getting A Second Season
Health & Wellness
Tiffany Haddish Unveils Her Slimmed Down Figure After 30-Day...
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2021 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now