BET Awards highlight Black voices as artists turn political

A number of celebs are using July 4th to bring attention to the Black Lives Matter movement and other issues facing the United States.

A number of celebs are using July 4th to bring attention to the Black Lives Matter movement and other issues facing the United States.

Connie Orlando, BET’s evp of specials, music programming & music strategy. “What would an award show look like if we had to produce it during the pandemic?”Turns out, they had to do just that.

Alicia Keys, Anderson .Paak  Black Thought, Chloe X Halle, Chuck D, DaBaby, D Smoke, Flavor Flav, Jahi, Jay Rock, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend,, Megan Thee Stallion, Nas, Questlove, Rapsody, Roddy Ricch, SiR, Summer Walker, Usher, YG and others.Lil Wayne and Wayne Brady delivered tributes to Kobe Bryant and Little Richard, respectively, last night.Also Read: Ratings: ABC's Game Shows Top the BET Awards on CBSIntroduced by former First Lady Michelle Obama, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter accepted the

With a long-overdue national reckoning over police brutality against Black Americans dominating the national conversation, the 2020BET Awardsopened on Sunday with a fiery, all-star 2020 remix of Public Enemy's classic anthem of outrage and activism, "Fight the Power." First, 12-year-old Keedron Bryant appeared in a solemn, affecting cold open to sing his viral "I Just Wanna Live" song a cappella. Then, the opening salvo of Public Enemy's iconic Fear of A Black Planet track kicked in.

The Black Lives Matter movement took center stage at the2020 BET Awards. The Sunday night awards ceremony, hosted by comedian and actress Amanda Seales, saw a number of impactful musical performances and moving acceptance speeches from the evening's winners.

On Sunday, the 20th annual BET Awards took place virtually with appearances by Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, and Megan Thee Stallion. The awards show saw Lizzo take home that best female R&B/pop artist prize.

Tom Tapp Deputy Managing Editor“I am here today to talk about the queen. You know the one,” said Michelle Obama by way of introduction.She was, of course, speaking about Beyoncé, who received the Humanitarian Award at the 2020 BET Awards on Sunday night.The superstar was honored for her work with the BeyGOOD foundation, which most recently provided much-needed coronavirus aid to Houston.

Beyonce received a huge honor at the 2020 BET Awards!

Lemonade to Black Is King, her coming later this summer.Former First Lady Michelle Obama presented the award to Beyoncé. "From her music that gives voice to Black joy and Black pain to her activism that demands justice for Black lives," Obama said.

Beyoncé was recognized for her charitable work at the 2020 BET Awards on Sunday night. The virtual awards show presented the artist with the Humanitarian Award.

neo soul and/or traditional R&B artists, she also received the Humanitarian Award for her work with her BeyGOOD initiative, which has funded college scholarships, brought safe water and sanitation to the East African nation of Burundi and, most recently, brought COVID-19 testing resources to Black and brown communities as well as support Black small business honors.Also Read: Beyond Blackface: Can Hollywood's Reckoning on Race Lead to Substantive Change?Former First Lady Michelle Obama

Beyonce joined the ranks of activists like Muhammad Ali and Harry Belafonte on Sunday (June 28) when the 2020 BET Awards honored her with the BET Humanitarian Award during its socially distanced broadcast.

, a "celebratory memoir for the world on the Black experience" which features music from and was written, directed, and executive produced by her. Expect guest appearances from Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar, Blue Ivy Carter, Pharrell, and Jay-Z—and in case you're like I NEED THIS YESTERDAY, don't panic! You don't have to wait too long.

The iconic Roots Picnic looked a little different this year. The annual event went digital in 2020, and served as a collaboration with When We All Vote, the voting rights organization headed by Michelle Obama.

Billy Porter and Kirk Franklin were among the many stars who used the Global Goal: Unite For Our Future concert as a platform to highlight the important changes taking place across the United States and around the world right now.