Kevin Hart, a comedian, hosted the annual award presentation, which honors Black performers and celebrities. Hart had previously hosted the ceremony in 2011, therefore this was his second outing as show host.
Top Nominees
Rapper Kendrick Lamar received ten nominations, making him the most prominent nominee. GloRilla, Drake, Future, and Doechii received six nominations prior to the ceremony.
Live Performances
Main Stage Performers:
GloRilla, Ledisi, Leon Thomas, Lil Wayne, Playboi Carti, and Teyana Taylor were among the performers who took the stage during the ceremony. Annie Ilonzeh, Ashley Nicole Moss, Big Tigger, Busta Rhymes, Cam Newton, Ciara, Claudia Jordan, Crystal Renee, DC Youngfly, Deon Cole, DeVon Franklin, Diamond White, Drew Sidora, Druski, Erica Mena, Erika Pinkett, Free, Julissa Bermudez, Kai Cenat, Keke Palmer, Ken Lawson, Keshia Chanté, Kerry Washington, Lala Anthony, Letoya Luckett-Coles, Mariah the Scientist, Marques Houston, Quinta Brunson, Stevie Wonder, Terrence J, Tichina Arnold, T.I.P., Tisha Campbell, Tyler James Williams, Tyler Perry, and Xavier Smalls were also presenters that evening.
The complete list of the ceremony’s winners is as follows:
Album of the Year
- Drake and PartyNextDoor, $Some $Sexy $Songs 4 U
- Chris Brown, 11:11 Deluxe
- Doechii, Alligator Bites Never Heal
- Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter
- GloRilla, Glorious
- Kendrick Lamar, GNX (WINNER)
- The Weeknd, Hurry Up Tomorrow
- Future and Metro Boomin, We Don’t Trust You
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
- Ari Lennox
- Ayra Starr
- Coco Jones
- Kehlani
- Muni Long
- Summer Walker
- SZA (WINNER)
- Victoria Monét
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
- Bruno Mars
- Chris Brown (WINNER)
- Drake
- Fridayy
- Leon Thomas
- Teddy Swims
- The Weeknd
- Usher
Best Group
- Common and Pete Rock
- Drake and PartyNextDoor,
- FLO
- Future and Metro Boomin (WINNER)
- Jaquees and Dej Loaf
- Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist
- Maverick City Music
Best Collaboration
- SZA Featuring Kendrick Lamar, 30 For 30
- Doechii Featuring JT, Alter Ego
- Teddy swims Featuring Giveon, Are You Even Real
- Dee Billz Featuring Kyle Richh, Kai Swervo, KJ Swervo, Beckham
- Lil Wayne, Wheezy and Young Thug, Bless
- Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar, Like That
- Kendrick Lamar and SZA, Luther (WINNER)
- Tyler, The Creator Featuring Glorilla, Sexxy Red and Lil Wayne, Sticky
- The Weeknd Featuring Playboi Carti, Timeless
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
- Cardi B
- Doechii (WINNER)
- Doja Cat
- GloRilla
- Latto
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Nicki Minaj
- Rapsody
- Sexxy Red
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
- BigXThaPlug
- BossMan Dlow
- Burna Boy
- Drake
- Future
- Kendrick Lamar (WINNER)
- Key Glock
- Lil Wayne
- Tyler, The Creator
Video of the Year
- Key Glock, 3AM in ToKEYo
- Shaboozey, A Bar Song (Tipsy)
- Kehlani, After Hours
- Doechii, Denial is a River
- Drake, Family Matters
- Kendrick Lamar, Not Like Us (WINNER)
- The Weeknd Featuring Playboi Carti, Timeless
- Future, Metro Boomin Travis Scott and Playboi Carti, Type Shit
Video Director of the Year
- Anderson .Paak
- B Pace Productions and Jacquees
- Benny Boom
- Cactus Jack
- Cole Bennett
- Dave Free and Kendrick Lamar (WINNER)
- Dave Meyers
- Foggieraw
- Tyler, The Creator
Best New Artist
- Ayra Starr
- BigXThaPlug
- BossMan Dlow
- Dee Billz
- Leon Thomas (WINNER)
- October London
- Shaboozey
- Teddy Swims
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel, Inspiration Award
- Common and Pete Rock Featuring Jennifer Hudson, A God (There Is)
- Pastor Mike Jr., Amen
- Fridayy, Better Days
- Yolanda Adams Featuring Sir The Baptist and Donald Lawrence, Church Doors (Terry Hunter Remix)
- Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore and Anthony Gargiula, Constant
- Tamela Mann, Deserve to Win
- Rapsody, Faith
- GloRilla Featuring Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music, Rain Down on Me (WINNER)
Viewer’s Choice Award
- Chris Brown, Residuals (WINNER)
- Doechii, Denial is a River
- Drake, Nokia
- Future and Metro Boomin Featuring Kendrick Lamar, Like That
- GloRilla, TGIF
- Kendrick Lamar, Not Like Us
- Kendrick Lamar and SZA, Luther
- Latto, Brokey
BET Her
- Mary J. Blige, Beautiful People
- Beyoncé Featuring Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts, Blackbird
- Doechii, Bloom
- Tems, Burning
- Cynthia Erivo Featuring Ariana Grande, Defying Grafity
- Summer Walker, Heart of a woman (WINNER)
- Tems, Hold on
- FLO and GloRilla, In My Bag
Best Movie
- Bad Boys: Ride or Die
- Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
- Luther: Never Too Much (WINNER)
- Mufasa: The Lion King
- One of Them Days
- Rebel Ridge
- The Piano Lesson
- The Six Triple Eight
Best Actor
- Aaron Pierre
- Aldis Hodge
- Anthony Mackie
- Colman Domingo
- Denzel Washington (WINNER)
- Jamie Foxx
- Joey Bada$$
- Kevin Hart
- Sterling K. Brown
- Will Smith
Best Actress
- Andra Day
- Angela Bassett
- Coco Jones
- Cynthia Erivo (WINNER)
- Keke Palmer
- Kerry Washington
- Quinta Brunson
- Viola Davis
- Zendaya
Youngstars Award
- Akira Akbar
- Blue Ivy Carter (WINNER)
- Graceyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth
- Heiress Harris
- Melody Hurd
- Thaddeus J. Mixson
- Tyrik Johnson
- VanVan
Sportswoman of the Year Award
- A’ja Wilson
- Angel Reese (WINNER)
- Claressa Shields
- Coco Gauff
- Dawn Staley
- Flau’Jae Johnson
- Juju Watkins
- Sha’carri Richardson
- Simone Biles
Sportsman of the Year Award
- Aaron Judge
- Anthony Edwards
- Deion Sanders
- Jalen Hurts (WINNER)
- Jayson Tatum
- Lebron James
- Saquon Barkley
- Stephen Curry
