The BET Awards is back again, returning in person with a spotlight on Black women. The Award show celebrates living legends for their achievements and icons who have passed away. And this year too the ceremony is poised to celebrate incredible artists and their lives.
The 2021 BET Awards will air on Sunday and will honour Queen Latifah with the Lifetime Achievement Award, with a musical performance by some of today’s biggest artists and the honoree. The late rapper DMX will be honoured in a tribute by Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Swizz Beatz, Griselda, and a special appearance by Michael K. Williams.
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The show will air live from Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater on June 27 at 8 pm ET/PT on BET, with simulcasts on BET Africa, HER, LOGO, MTV, MTV 2, followed by international broadcasts on MTV UK on June 28 AT 9 PM BST. As we wait for the show let’s take a walk down memory lane and see the most impactful tribute performances of all time.
Michael Jackson Tribute (2010)
The BET Awards honoured the Legend Michael Jackson with a tribute performed by Chris Brown on the one-year death anniversary in 2010. The performance remains one of Brown’s most emotional and vulnerable moments on the stage, where he broke down and cried as he performed Jackson’s 1988 single, “Man In The Mirror.”
Chaka Khan Tribute (2006)
During the 2006 broadcast of the BET Awards, Chaka Khan was serenaded by Prince, Yolanda Adams, India. Arie and Steve Wonder. Adams began the performance with a vocally charged performance of Khas’s 1984 classic, “I Feel For You.” While, Prince, India, and Stevie Wonder teamed up to perform ”Tell Me Something Good.”
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Prince Tribute (2016)
Prince didn’t receive a musical tribute on the BET Awards stage after his tragic death in 2016, but a handful of memorable performances from those who were influenced by his art, his collaborators, and industry favourites. Some of his greatest songs were performed by Erykah Badu, The Roots, Stevie Wonder, Maxwell, Bilal, Tori Kelly, Jennifer Hudson, Janelle Monae, and Sheila E.
Kobe Bryant Tribute (2020)
After basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter died in a helicopter crash, Rapper Lil Wayne paid homage to Byrant with a performance of his 2009 song, “Kobe Bryant” during the virtual 2020 BET Awards. The tribute featured footage of Bryant and his own words. Wayne offered his condolences to Bryant’s family and his fans after the tragic loss of the NBA icon in January 2020.
Charlie Wilson Tribute (2013)
Charlie Wilson received the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award, where Jamie Foxx, India. Aerie and Stevie Wonder took the stage to celebrate The Gap Band frontman Wilson. After he accepted the honour, Wilson hit the stage himself and was joined onstage by Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg, and Pharrell Williams for their performance.
