Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross played host to a night full of electrifying performances, heartfelt speeches and unforgettable moments during the 15th annual ?BET AWARDS? and it all aired live from the Microsoft Theatre at L.A. LIVE last night (June 28, 2015).
There were several notable performances, including Kendrick Lamar, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Meek Mill, Alicia Keys, The Weeknd, Janelle Monae, and more.
Highlights included a 20 year anniversary tribute for Bad Boy records which included performances by Lil Kim, 112, Faith Evans, Ma$e and a projection of Notorious B.I.G. and an appearance by Janet Jackson, who was treated to a special dance tribute performed by Ciara, Tinashe & Jason Derulo.
In case you missed it, watch video of the explosive performances + listing of all winners below…
Kendrick Lamar kicked off the show with an explosive performance of his latest single ?Alright? and graced the stage again after winning Best Male Hip Hop Artist.
Chris Brown got the audience moving to his latest hit ?Ayo,? featuring Tyga and Omarion joined them onstage to perform ?Post To Be? for a hot dance routine with Brown.
The cast of Empire also got a chance to perform hits from the show, including ?No Apologies,? ?You?re So Beautiful,? and ?Drip Drop,? which featured Juicy J’s collaboration.
Other performances included, Big Sean, who brought out special guest E-40; Alicia Keys made a surprise appearance with The WEEKND; and Nicki Minaj and her boo MEEK MILL hit the stage with Chis Brown to perform their new single ?All Eyes on Us.?
The ultra-talented JANELLE MONAE delivered an incredible performance of “Yoga,? which was amped up even more with an appearance by JIDENNA, who took over the stage to perform his own hit ?Classic Man.?
The two performances that got the most chatter were Diddy’s Bad Boy Tribute which celebrated the 30th anniversary of Bad Boy. LIL? KIM, MA$E, FAITH EVANS, THE LOX, 112 and a projection of NOTORIOUS B.I.G. as well as special guests FRENCH MONTANA and PHARRELL all hit the stage to perform classic Bad Boy hits.
[READ: Diddy Takes A Tumble During Bad Boy Tribute Performance (FULL VIDEO)]
Following the performance, Diddy presented legendary recording artist and Motown executive SMOKEY ROBINSON with the Lifetime Achievement Award. TORI KELLY blew the audience away during the tribute performance for Robinson with her powerful vocals to a rendition of ?Who?s Loving You,? followed by soulful performances from ROBIN THICKE and NE-YO, before Smokey himself took the stage to perform ?Tracks of My Tears,? ?Cruisin?,? and a crowd sing-along to ?My Girl,? for which Kelly, Thicke and Ne-Yo returned to the stage.
Janet Jackson marked her return to the scene to receive the inaugural Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual Award, presented by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The pop icon was honored with a tantalizing, high-energy dance tribute which included a pulsating rendition of ?Pleasure Principle? by TINASHE, followed by ?All for You? by JASON DERULO and CIARA?s hard-hitting delivery of ?If.? All three stars joined forces for an unforgettable dance-off to ?Rhythm Nation,? which had the entire crowd on their feet and cheering. A humbled Jackson shyly thanked God and her fans for her 25 plus year career, along with BET for the honor, all while smiling brightly and clutching her trophy in hand.
FETTY WAP capped the epic night with smash hit ?Trap Queen?…
In addition to all of these incredible moments, the complete list of ?BET AWARDS? 2015 winners is listed below…
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyonc?Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Chris BrownBest Group
Rae SremmurdBest Collaboration
Common & John Legend, ?Glory? from the Motion Picture SelmaBest Male Hip Hop Artist
Kendrick LamarBest Female Hip Hop Artist
Nicki MinajVideo of the Year
Beyonc?, ?7/11?Video Director of the Year
Beyonc?, Ed Burke & Todd ToursoBest New Artist
Sam SmithBest Gospel Artist
LecraeBest Actress
Taraji P. Henson, ?No Good Deed/Think Like a Man Too/From the Rough?Best Actor
Terrence Howard, ?St. Vincent/Lullaby/Sabotage?YoungStars Award
Mo?ne DavisBest Movie
SelmaSubway Sportswoman of the Year
Serena WilliamsSubway Sportsman of the Year
Stephen CurryCoca-Cola Viewers? Choice Award
Nicki Minaj ft. Drake, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown ?Only?McDonald?s I?m Lovin? It Award
Nicki MinajFandemonium Award
Chris Brown
Centric Award
The WeekndBest International Act: Africa
Stonebwoy (Ghana)
Best International Act: UK
Stormzy