By Annie Reuter
Beyoncé had a standout evening at the 16th Annual BET Awards last night (June 26) at the Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live. The singer took home four of five awards she was nominated for including Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Video of the Year for “Formation” and Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice. She also electrified the audience with a spellbinding performance of “Freedom.”
Related: Beyoncé & Jay Z Soak Up Sun in New Family Photos
Queen Bey took the stage with several dancers as an excerpt of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech played in the background. The opening of the awards show, Beyoncé’s performance had all the essential elements for a showstopper: she entered through a cloud of smoke, then sang a wading pool filled with water as dancers splashed around her. Later, Kendrick Lamar made a surprise appearance, rising from the stage in the audience and joining Beyoncé in the water.
Other highlights included several moving tributes to Prince, which BET had teased for weeks. Several artists honored the late icon including Erykah Badu, Bilal, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Maxwell, Janelle Monae and Sheila E. Watch the performance here.
Complete list of winners at the BET Awards below:
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist?
Beyonce (WINNER)
Adele
Andra Day
K. Michelle
Rihanna
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Bryson Tiller (WINNER)
Chris Brown
Jeremih
The Weeknd
Tyrese
Best Group
Drake & Future (WINNER)
2 Chainz & Lil Wayne
Puff Daddy & the Family
Rae Sremmurd
The Internet
Best Collaboration
Rihanna ft. Drake – “Work” (WINNER)
Big Sean ft. Chris Brown & Ty Dolla $ign – “Play No Games”
Big Sean ft. Kanye West & John Legend – “One Man Can Change the World”
Future ft. Drake – “Where Ya At”
Nicki Minaj ft. Beyonce – “Feeling Myself”
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Drake (WINNER)
Fetty Wap
Future
J. Cole
Kanye West
Kendrick Lamar
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Nicki Minaj (WINNER)
Dej Loaf
Lil Kim
Missy Elliott
Remy Ma
Video of the Year
Beyonce – “Formation” (WINNER)
Bryson Tiller – “Don’t”
Drake – “Hotline Bling”
Kendrick Lamar – “Alright”
Rihanna ft. Drake – “Work”
Video Director of the Year
Director X (WINNER)
Benny Boom
Chris Brown
Colin Tilley and the Little Homies
Hype Williams
Best New Artist
Bryson Tiller (WINNER)
Alessia Cara
Andra Day
Kehlani
Tory Lanez
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
Kirk Franklin (WINNER)
Anthony Brown & Group Therapy
Erica Campbell
Lecrae
Tamela Mann
Tasha Cobbs
Best Actress
Taraji P. Henson (WINNER)
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington
Tracee Ellis Ross
Viola Davis
Best Actor
Michael B. Jordan (WINNER)
Anthony Anderson
Courtney B. Vance
Idris Elba
O’Shea Jackson Jr.
YoungStars Award
Amandla Stenberg (WINNER)
Quvenzhane Wallis
Silento
Willow Smith
Yara Shahidi
Best Movie
Straight Outta Compton (WINNER)
Beasts of No Nation
Concussion
Creed
Dope
Sportswoman of the Year
Serena Williams (WINNER)
Cheyenne Woods
Gabrielle Douglas
Skylar Diggins
Venus Williams
Sportsman of the Year
Stephen Curry (WINNER)
Cam Newton
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Odell Beckham Jr.
Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
Beyonce – “Formation” (WINNER)
Bryson Tiller – “Don’t”
Chris Brown – “Back to Sleep”
Drake – “Hotline Bling”
Future ft. Drake – “Where Ya At”
Rihanna ft. Drake – “Work”
Centric Award
Beyonce – “Formation” (WINNER)
Andra Day – “Rise Up”
K. Michelle – “Not a Little Bit”
Rihanna – “BBHMM”
The Internet – “Under Control”
Best International Act Africa
Wizkid (Nigeria) (WINNER)
AKA (South Africa)
Black Coffee (South Africa)
Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Mzvee (Ghana)
Serge Beynaud (Cote D’Ivoire)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
Best International Act UK
Skepta (WINNER)
Kano
Krept & Konan
Lianne La Havas
Stormzy
Tinie Tempah
