It's never been one of the best executed award shows (who could forget the eternally flawed tribute to MJ three years ago?). But what it lacks in production quality, it over compensates in "entertaining" factor. This, year provided a welcomed change, delivering a better flow and even better performances. But it wouldn't be a BET show it there wasn't some level of Oh no they didn't?! Here are our best and worst moments.
Bleep, bleep, bleep: Nearly every song performed by anyone under the age of 30 couldn't be done without censorship. And there were so many words to be bleeped out the censor police couldn't keep up. From Rick Ross's performance to the Tyga to the ever-so lady-like acceptance speech of Nikki Minaj. Classy.
Jay and Bey face off: It couldn't have been more heart-warming to see the best couple in the business be so warm, and openly loving toward each other. Nominated for the same award: Best Music Video, the two pretended to be upset with each other before Jaime Foxx called the winner. Which was, Kanye and Jay for "Otis." And to add more levity to the moment, Jay playfully interrupted Kanye as he was about to say his thank-yous. Thankfully, Kanye didn't say anything that embarrassed himself.
Chaka Khan shuts it down: Showing the industry what real women look like (and by that we mean no injections), Chaka showed off her brick-house body during the tribute to Whitney Houston as she sang "I'm Every Woman."
Whitney Houston tribute: The performances by Monica, Brandy and Cissy Houston, made this one of the most touching moments in music history. No eye was dry as Cissy sang "Bridge Over Troubled Water," a song Whitney loved and once sang with CeCe Winans, in tribute to her deceased daughter.
Too short homage: The very short acknowledgement of Nick Ashford, a Motown legend, by having Valerie (his wife) sing one song just felt disrespectful. The showing of images of our fallen music icons--without showing their names--was also a reflection of sloppy production. Since this is the BET Music Awards, their time of acknowledgement seemed to be crammed into the timeline, eaten up by portions of the program that didn't fit. Al Sharpton should be acknowledged for his work. At BET Honors. The young man on his way to Harvard should be acknowledged. At BET Honors. Isn't that the purpose of that show? To honor and highlight those who are a part of solving our civic issues. Keep the music show about music and rightfully give those no longer with us the tribute space they deserve. Would have loved to see a tribute to Nick Ashford, who died last August, and all the folks he wrote music for (still living) sing his songs.
D'Angelo performs: They scooped the Essence Music Festival with the first live peformance of the soon crooner in 12 years. But he only sang two songs, they gave us melodies for the remaining 2 minutes. And he needed a little polishing. The band sounded fantastic, but the fantasy is all but gone. We needed D'Angelo, who captured our hearts with his cornrows and swag, come back a little cleaner than this. No?
Chris Brown looks odd in skelton body paint: While boxing promoters salivate over getting Chris and Drake in the ring, he performed his current hit, but we were too distracted by the half body paint to be that into it.
Too much self promotion: I want to know about your new projects, but I kinda don't want the stage where you are presenting to be the place where you pump that new project. We know how it works: you agree to present, we agree to promote. But really, Jamie, the Kunta story of a bad-ass former slave with the diction of the 20th century. We can't.
Til next show.
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