Listen Live
Stone Soul Vendor Graphics
Praise 104.7 Featured Video
CLOSE
Anthony Faulkner and Kirk Franklin

Source: Anthony Faulkner / Anthony Faulkner

New York, NY (June 26, 2016) – BET Networks kept their word and delivered an amazing tribute to Prince, along with a lot of new young talent.

Opening with one of its more memorable performances with Beyonce, who also won the Video of the Year Award for “Formation” and Kendrick Lamar, their performance was beyond dope.

Multi- Grammy Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Stevie Wonder, as well as Grammy Award winner Jennifer Hudson and Bilal, also all brought the house down during one of the multiple show-stopping performances spread throughout the show paying homage to Prince at the 16th annual “BET Awards”.

Taking place live on Sunday, June 26, 2016, also performing were Young Thug, Erykah Badu, French Montana, Fat Joe, Remy Ma, Tori Kelly, Beyoncé’s rising music duo CHLOE X HALLE, Bryson Tiller (who turned out to be one of the big winners for the night), Usher, Desiigner, Future, Janelle Monae, Alicia Keys, Maxwell, Sheila E. and The Roots.

Also making appearances were Academy Award Winner Jamie Foxx, Taraji P. Henson, Jussie Smollett, Chairman, CEO of BET Debra Lee, Wood Harris, Karrueche Tran, Deon Cole and Yara Shahidi, as well as DJ Khaled, Gabrielle Union, Tinashe, Fantasia, Regina Hall, BET’s “Music Moguls” (Damon Dash, Birdman, Jermaine Dupri,  Snoop Dogg),  Aja Naomi King, Nate Parker, Terrence J, Morris Chestnut, J.B. Smoove, Kimberly Elise, Omar Epps, the cast of BET’s New Edition Biopic (Bryshere Y. Gray, Elijah Kelley, Luke James, Algee Smith, Keith Powers and Woody McClain).

A special tribute was also made to remember Muhammad Ali, which was given by his youngest daughter Laila Ali, who was introduced by Jamie Foxx.

Winning the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award was Kirk Franklin.  Escorting his wife to the stage, he said, “I wanted to show off my best girl.”  He also congratulated everyone else who was nominated in the same category and concluded by saying, “I believe Jesus is still the light of the World!

Also stepping onto the BET Awards 2016 Red Carpet were Spike Lee, Morris Chestnut, Regina Bell, Tasha Cobbs, Kirk Franklin, Anthony Faulkner, Ray J, and BET’s F in Fabulous cast (Kamie Crawford, Eny Oh, Stephon Mendoza and Savannah Lynx).

The outspoken Advancement Project Board member and Abolitionist Jesse Williams was presented with the Humanitarian Award and delivered a powerful acceptance speech, who said “This award is not for me, but for the struggling all over and for those who can’t stand, unless we do.”  Freedom is some how conditional here. Giving an example; “She’s Free they keep telling us and she would still be alive, if she didn’t act so free.”  In his closing remarks he said,” Freedom is always coming, in the here after, but we want it NOW!”

The “BET Awards” 2016 not only aired on BET but will also air on it’s international network in the UK on Tuesday, June 28th at 9:00pm BST, in Africa on Tuesday, June 28th at 7:00pm CAT, and in France on Wednesday, June 29th at 9:00pm CEST.

The night was hosted by Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross, along with reminders of the importance to register to vote and to be sure to vote come November 2016.

Courtesy of www.thebellereport.com