TeeRoy's 2 Cents:
The evening included some BET Awards firsts, including Tyler's first-ever performance and SZA's first win.
It feels great to see award shows with crowds again -- things really are getting back to normal.
It was a really solid show -- they kept things moving throughout and the host's jokes were actually funny.
Hot Girl Meg picked up a trio of trophies for Video of the Year, Best Female Artist and Viewer's Choice.
Taraji P. Henson hosted the evening's festivities, letting viewers know the show was designed to celebrate the year of the woman. She even handed out literal flowers to ladies in the front row, including Issa Rae, Zendaya and Maxine Waters.
Other highlights included:
Cardi B revealed that she is pregnant with her second child when she joined her husband’s group on stage with a dress highlighting her baby bump.
Queen Latifah was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Lil Kim, Monie Love, Rapsody and MC Lyte paid tribute to Latifah with a medley of some of her biggest hits including "Ladies First" and "U.N.I.T.Y."
The grand finale was a tribute to DMX featuring Method Man, Busta Rhymes, Griselda, Michael K. Williams, Swizz Beatz & The Lox.
Winners:
Best Actress: Andra Day
Best Group: Silk Sonic
Shine A Light: Darnella Frazier
New Artist: Giveon
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist: H.E.R.
Video of the Year: Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion “WAP”
Best Female Artist: Megan Thee Stallion
BET Her Award: SZA - Good Days
Lifetime Achievement Award: Queen Latifah
Album of the Year: Jazmine Sullivan - Heaux Tales
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist: Lil Baby
Best International Artist: Burna Boy
Viewer's Choice Award: Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyonce - "Savage (Remix)"
The following awards were given out off the air:
Best New International Act: Bree Runway
Sportsman of the Year: LeBron James
Sportswoman of the Year: Naomi Osaka
Global Good Award: Djamila Ribeiro
Performances:
Kirk Franklin and Lil Baby — "We Win"
Migos — Straightening and “Type [Ish]” featuring Cardi B
Jazmine Sullivan featuring Ari Lennox -“On It”
Tone Stith
Moneybagg Yo - “Time Today”
Da Baby - “Ball if I Want To”
Tyler The Creator - “Lumberjack”
Jazmine Sullivan - "Tragic"
Roddy Ricch - "Late At Night"
Mareba
Lil Nas X - "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)"
Silk Sonic - "Leave the Door Open"
City Girls - "Twerkulator"
Tribute to Queen Latifah -- Rapsody, , Lil Kim & MC Lyte - "U.N.I.T.Y."
Lil Baby and Lil Durk - "Hats Off",
DJ Khaled, Lil Baby and Lil Durk "Every Chance I Get"
Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Baby, DaBaby & DJ Khaled -"I Did It"
Andra Day - "Tigress and Tweed"
Tribute to DMX: Method Man - "Get at Me Dog," Griselda - "Where the Hood At, Michael K. Williams - "Slippin'," Swizz Beatz and The Lox "Ruff Ryders Anthem," Busta Rhymes - "Up in Here," and a violinist performing "Prayer IV."