2021 BET Awards

Full list of winners and nominees

The 21st annual BET awards returned Sunday night with the theme "Year of the Black Woman." Award-winning actress Taraji P. Henson hosted the ceremony from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, where a live audience attended for the first time since the pandemic began. 

"Celebrating Black women isn't a fad or a trend it's a forever mood" Henson said, opening up the show. "There is more than enough room for all of us to thrive, because can't nobody be like me and can't nobody be you like you."

 

Critically acclaimed rapper and actress Queen Latifah received this year's Lifetime Achievement Award for her "amazing success" throughout her decades-long career. Rappers Lil Kim, Rapsody, MC Lyte and Monie Love honored the entertainer with a performance of her songs "Ladies First" and "U.N.I.T.Y.." Queen Latifah then gave a speech, expressing her gratitude. 

"I want to thank BET for creating an outlet for beautiful Blackness to thrive, to shine," Queen Latifah said while accepting her award. "When we couldn't get played on the radio in other places, we couldn't get our videos played in other places, there was BET that allowed us to be in our fullness."

Rapper Megan Thee Stallion was tied with DaBaby for having the most nominations of the night and took home awards for "Best Female Hip Hop Artist," "Best Collaboration," "Viewer's Choice" and "Video of the Year." 

Rap legend DMX, who died from a heart attack earlier this year, was honored at the ceremony with a special tribute performance from Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Swizz Beatz and Michael K. Williams. 

Andra Day, the City Girls, DJ Khaled, Jazmine Sullivan, Lil Nas X, Kirk Franklin and Migos were among stars who performed at the annual award ceremony.