BET Awards full of Prince tributes and political moments

Outside of the Prince tributes, the show’s biggest performance came from Viewers’ Choice Award victor Beyoncé, who delivered “Freedom” with flames and choreography-and a little help from Kendrick Lamar.

“A system built to impoverish, divide and destroy us can not stand if we do”, he said, adding, “We know that police somehow manage to deescalate, disarm and not kill white people every day”.

Tori Kelly and Stevie performed “Take Me With U”, a duet Prince did with Apollonia.

Actor Samuel L. Jackson, after receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award, said, “Make sure you vote and take eight more people with you to vote”.

Tributes to Prince were a highlight of Sunday night’s BET Awards – with salutes by Maxwell, Jennifer Hudson, Janelle Monáe and longtime collaborator Sheila E. among the most riveting moments of the show.

Sheila E., jamming on the drums and guitar, singing and dancing without shoes, closed the three-hour-plus show at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles with “Let’s Work”, “A Love Bizarre”, “The Glamorous Life”, “America” and more.

Dave Chappelle introduced The Roots and Erykah Badu, who kicked things off as they sang funky Sign o’ the Times number “The Ballad of Dorothy Parker”, and were followed by Bilal, who nailed “The Beautiful Ones” complete with Prince’s falsetto and writhing around on stage.

Since Beyoncé had to perform and dip, Mama Tina accepted awards on her behalf.

What was your favorite part of the BET Awards 2016?

Prince wasn’t the only icon honoured Sunday – Muhammad Ali was remembered by his daughter and Jamie Foxx.

Drake led the list of entertainers with an impressive nine nominations including “Best Male Hip Hop Artist, ‘ “Video of the Year, ‘ and ‘Best Collaboration” for his hit “Where Ya At” with fellow hip hop artist Future”. Jackson ended his speech by offering praise to Williams, calling him “the closest thing I’ve heard to a 1960s activist”. Jackson said. “Don’t get tricked like they got tricked in London!”