The Migos took the stage to perform their hit “Straightening” and debuted their latest collaboration with Cardi B, “Type Ish,” with Cardi proudly displaying her baby bump. This reveal wasn’t a shocker, as rumors had been circulating for weeks, confirmed by outlets like The Neighborhood Talk. I even speculated in a prior video that Cardi might leverage her pregnancy to boost the Migos’ new music, a prediction that proved true. It was a savvy move, drumming up considerable buzz around their single. Kudos to Cardi B and Offset for the clever PR maneuver.
Another standout performance was by H.E.R., who delivered a mesmerizing rendition of her track “We Made It,” a personal favorite from her album “Back of My Mind.” While the album didn’t entirely captivate me, this song truly shone, especially in her live performance. Floating onto the stage while expertly drumming, H.E.R. showcased her remarkable talent, seamlessly blending vocals and percussion. Her energy was infectious, buoyed by dynamic dancers, before she effortlessly transitioned to strumming her guitar. It was a performance that left me in awe. H.E.R. proves time and again her immense skill, making her show one of the night’s indisputable highlights.
H.E.R. clinched the title for Best R&B and Pop Female Artist, triumphing over tough competition from the likes of Jasmine Sullivan, Beyoncé, SZA, Jhené Aiko, and Summer Walker. Despite the formidable lineup, her stage presence was so captivating that it’s hard to begrudge her the win. In an ideal scenario, each nominee in that category would have received recognition, as they all excel in representing R&B and deserve acknowledgment.
Let’s shift the spotlight to Jasmine Sullivan and Ari Lennox, who delivered an electrifying performance of their collaboration “On It.” Their vocals were simply sublime, showcasing their immense talent. Their stage presence was equally stunning, and it was a nice touch to have Congresswoman Maxine Waters briefly open for Jasmine’s performance. Kudos to Jasmine Sullivan for clinching Album of the Year with her exceptional work “Hotels,” triumphing over formidable contenders like The Weeknd, DaBaby, Megan Thee Stallion, Nas, and Chloe x Halle. While it would have been wonderful to see Chloe x Halle recognized, hopefully, their time will come in the future. For now, let’s celebrate Jasmine’s well-deserved moment in the spotlight.
Another standout performance that really caught my attention was Tyler, the Creator’s. He made quite an entrance by rolling onto the stage in a car, and the entire set seemed like a whirlwind of creativity, culminating in his dramatic exit as if swept away by a storm. The level of imagination and execution was impressive, and I found myself thoroughly engaged throughout.
Shifting focus to Megan Thee Stallion, her rendition of “Thot Ish” was noteworthy. With an entrance reminiscent of Beyoncé’s iconic style, she exuded confidence. While her performance was solid, there was a sense of something lacking in the stage setup. Unlike Lil Nas X, who embraced an elaborate Egyptian theme inspired by Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time” video, Megan’s presentation felt comparatively plain. Perhaps incorporating elements from her music video or enhancing the stage design could have elevated the overall experience.
Moreover, Megan’s joint performance with DJ Khaled, DaBaby, and Lil Baby felt somewhat uncomfortable due to underlying tensions. Megan’s decision to walk off stage during DaBaby’s part, stemming from their fallout over his collaboration with Tory Lanez, created a noticeable rift. This moment of discord detracted from the cohesion of the performance, leaving it feeling somewhat disjointed and awkward.
Let’s delve into some of Megan’s wins at the awards. Megan clinched the Best Female Rapper award, triumphing over competitors like Cardi B, Saweetie, Doja Cat, Mulatto, and Coi Leray. While I might have leaned towards Doja Cat in a perfect scenario, considering her versatility beyond hip-hop, Megan’s victory is well-deserved. She also snagged the Video of the Year accolade alongside Cardi B for their collaboration on “WAP,” and the Viewer’s Choice Award for her track “Savage” featuring Beyoncé. It was undoubtedly a triumphant night for Megan.
Another standout performance for me was Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak’s rendition of “Leave the Door Open.” Their delivery was impeccable, as always, and they truly owned the stage with their rendition. Every time they perform this track, they consistently deliver excellence, and this time was no exception.
Additionally, I thoroughly enjoyed the City Girls’ performance of “Twerkulator.” Their execution of the choreography was impressive, and personally, I found it engaging. It’s noteworthy when artists like the City Girls surpass expectations, and I must commend their choreographer, Sean Bankhead, for crafting such a dynamic routine.
I really appreciated the tribute to Queen Latifah. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award, and it was heartwarming to see Rapsody, Monie Love, MC Lyte, and Lil’ Kim pay homage to her. It was a truly beautiful moment that highlighted Queen Latifah’s deserving legacy.
As for the performances, while I didn’t delve into all of them, I thought everyone did a commendable job. Some stood out more than others, but overall, there wasn’t a dull moment. BET orchestrated a fantastic show this year.
Now, let’s touch on a moment from the red carpet. Lil’ Kim was asked about participating in a Versus battle, and she expressed her willingness, mentioning Nicki Minaj as a potential opponent. It got me thinking—would you participate in a Versus battle? You would? That’s intriguing. Any specific opponent in mind, or are you open to anyone? Nicki? That would be quite the showdown. I’m sure many would love to witness that matchup.
I found it intriguing that Lil’ Kim expressed interest in a Versus battle with Nicki Minaj over the more expected choice, Foxy Brown. While Foxy Brown might have been a more fitting match due to their shared era, Lil’ Kim’s selection of Nicki sends a significant message to me. Personally, I interpret it as Lil’ Kim’s attempt to extend an olive branch to Nicki, especially considering their turbulent history, which I’ve delved into in one of my videos. Currently, I don’t sense animosity between them; they may not be on friendly terms, but it seems they’ve moved past their feud. Reconciliation between them would be a powerful moment for hip-hop culture, despite the potential mismatch in a Versus battle due to Nicki’s different era and more mainstream hits. However, the positive outcomes of their reconciliation outweigh any concerns about the battle’s fairness.
Switching gears, let’s discuss the recent Versus battle between Bow Wow and Soulja Boy. It was undeniably one of the most entertaining and lively battles to date, filled with amusing and memorable moments. Bow Wow and Soulja Boy both delivered strong performances, showcasing their energy and stage presence. I was particularly impressed by Bow Wow’s performance and stage charisma, which convinced me to attend the upcoming Millennium Tour featuring him and Omarion. This battle also served as excellent promotion for the tour, with both artists demonstrating their talents and ensuring an exciting experience for concert-goers.
When it comes to determining the winner, I personally believe Bow Wow outshined Soulja Boy. Initially, Soulja Boy made a strong start by featuring Nicki Minaj on “She Make It Clap,” which was impressive. He also reminded everyone of his prowess as a producer, with Beyoncé sampling “Turn My Swag On” for “Hold Up,” and notable artists like Nicki Minaj and Drake freestyling over his beats. However, as the Verses progressed, Bow Wow took the lead in my view. Despite his music not being as current as Soulja Boy’s, Bow Wow’s performance was captivating, especially with surprise appearances by Jermaine Dupri, The Brat, Three 6 Mafia, and Omarion. This elevated his showmanship.
Yet, one standout moment for me was when Soulja Boy brought out Romeo. It marked the first time Bow Wow and Romeo had ever shared a stage, despite their long histories in the industry and overlapping circles. Soulja Boy’s move to make this happen was undoubtedly the highlight of the event.
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