2023 BET Awards: The winners; tributes to Tina Turner, Takeoff; an honor for Busta Rhymes; and top pics

Associated Press, CNN

LOS ANGELES — The 2023 BET Awards celebrated 50 years of hip-hop with tributes to the genre’s earliest voices, late legends, and new talent during a show packed with spectacular performances that consistently felt like a party.

Sunday’s biggest surprise came when Quavo and Offset, the surviving members of Migos, performed “Bad and Boujee” in front of an image of Takeoff, who died in a shooting last December.

<p>Offset, left, and Quavo of Migos perform at the BET Awards on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.</p>

Mark Terrill, Associated Press

Offset, left, and Quavo of Migos perform at the BET Awards on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

“BET, do it for Take,” the duo shouted near the beginning of their set, as their backdrop switched from the image of a space shuttle to one of Takeoff pointing in the air.

Throughout the show, whether it was Tupac, Notorious B.I.G., Biz Markie or Pop Smoke, performers and emcee Kid Capri paid homage to late hip-hop stars, often by quickly highlighting a taste of their best-known hits. In a show where few awards were given, Capri and BET kept the emphasis on the music.

Busta Rhymes took home the night’s biggest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award, handed to him by Swizz Beatz. The 12-time Grammy Award nominated rapper, producer, and pioneering hip-hop figure is widely regarded as one of the great MCs, with seven Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits to his name. Read the full story here:

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THE WINNERS

Album of the Year: “Renaissance” – Beyoncé; “SOS” – Sza (tie)

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist: Sza

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist: Chris Brown and Usher (tie)

Best Group: Drake & 21 Savage

Best Collaboration: “Wait For U” – Future feat. Drake & Tems

Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Latto

<p>Latto accepts the award for best female hip hop artist at the BET Awards on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. </p>

AP Photo/Mark Terrill

Latto accepts the award for best female hip hop artist at the BET Awards on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. 

Best Male Hip Hop Artist: Kendrick Lamar

Video of the Year: “Kill Bill” – Sza

Video Director of the Year: Teyana “Spike Tey” Taylor

Best New Artist: Coco Jones

<p>Coco Jones poses in the press room with the award for best new artist at the BET Awards on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. </p>

Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Coco Jones poses in the press room with the award for best new artist at the BET Awards on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. 

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award: “Bless Me” – Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin

Viewer’s Choice Award: “Break My Soul” – Beyoncé

Best International Act: Burna Boy (Nigeria)

BET Her: “Break My Soul” – Beyoncé

Best Movie: “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

Best Actor: Damson Idris

Best Actress: Angela Bassett

YoungStars Award: Marsai Martin

Sportswoman of the Year Award: Angel Reese

Sportsman of the Year Award: Jalen Hurts

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