The 2016 BET Awards knocked it out of the park with multiple Prince tributes, a surprise Beyoncé performance, and so many celebrities, it made our heads spin. The night celebrated countless African American artists and gave audiences countless memorable moments. Some of these moments made us laugh, others made us cry, but they were all unforgettable. Here are the best 2016 BET Award moments in GIFs that you won’t want to miss.
Ray J was “lit”
Ray J helped kick off the BET Awards pre-show, though his contributions were few, and each time he showed up, his bits devolved into just moments of him awkwardly yelling excitedly. Needless to say, each appearance was more strange than the last. Ray J’s jumpy behavior and extreme energy was quickly noted by everybody watching at home, who took to Twitter to see if everything was OK with the singer. Ray J was suspiciously absent from the rest of the show, so, here’s hoping he made it out of his backstage exile!
Beyoncé slayed “Freedom”
Beyoncé opened the BET Awards with a surprise performance of “Freedom” with Kendrick Lamar, and KILLED IT. The audience went crazy for her electrifying performance that had Samuel L Jackson on his feet. With one epic performance, Beyoncé set the bar for the show, and we all bowed down to the Queen.
‘Hamilton’ BET style
Hosts Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson were not about to be left out of the Hamilton craze. They interpreted modern songs in true Hamilton style, including The Weeknd’s “I Can’t Feel My Face,” a performance that ended with Ross hitting Anderson in the face to truly test that theory. The bit was fun, especially for those of us dying to see Hamilton. Also, someone get Ross on Broadway, STAT.
Bilal rolled on the floor for Prince
Bilal joined Erykah Badu and The Roots for the first Prince tribute of the night at the BET Awards. First, Badu sang “The Ballad of Dorothy Parker,” with Bilal closing the performance with an impassioned take on “The Beautiful Ones.” Bilal gave the performance his all, even getting on the floor and rolling around while singing in a perfect falsetto. Twitter and viewers agreed: he did Prince proud.
Jurmaine Dupri and Snoop Dogg did surprise magic
Snoop Dogg, Birdman, Jermaine Dupri and Damon Dash appeared at the BET Awards to present an award and promote their new BET reality show, Music Moguls. Most importantly, however, they gave us this instantly ICONIC GIF. If their new show is half as entertaining as this image is, then they’ve got a hit on their hands.
#RealDatesMatter
Regina Hall spoke for women everywhere when she started the movement #RealDatesMatter while presenting at the BET Awards with her When the Bough Breaks co-star Morris Chestnut. Just like the hashtag suggests, Hall is sick of internet dating and Netflix and chill — and who can blame her? The duo also took aim at the #BlackLivesMatter critics, with Chestnut suggesting they start the #AllDatesMatter instead. Don’t worry, Hall shut it down real quick.
Jennifer Hudson gave us all chills
Jennifer Hudson brought the house down with her Prince tribute performance of “Purple Rain.” It was one of the standout performances of the night, and had everyone on their feet.
Anthony Anderson showed some skin
Following Janelle Monáe’s electrifying tribute performance, Anthony Anderson proved that not everyone could pull off Prince’s more daring fashion choices.
Jesse Williams dropped some truth bombs
In what was truly one of the most moving and memorable moments of the night, Jesse Williams gave an impassioned speech when he received the BET Humanitarian Award for his civil rights advocacy and his work with Black Lives Matter. “If you have no interest in equal rights for black people, then do not make suggestions for those who do. Sit down,” he said in his speech. You’re going to want to read and watch the whole thing.
Spike Lee made fun of Samuel L. Jackson
Spike Lee presented Samuel L. Jackson with the BET Lifetime Achievement Award, and his mocking/confused expression is an accurate representation of the entire night.
Samuel L. Jackson got political
Politics were definitely a theme at the BET Awards, and Samuel L. Jackson made sure to get in his two cents when he warned the audience not to vote for Trump, likening it to the recent Brexit vote, saying, “Don’t get tricked like they got tricked in London.”
Janelle Monáe paid tribute
Janelle Monáe got everybody dancing with her Prince medly tribute, performing “Delirious,” “Kiss,” “Pop Life” and “I Would Die For You,” all while wearing Prince-inspired outfits and dancing like there’s no tomorrow.
Yeah! Usher is back
Usher danced his way through his performance of “No Limit” featuring Young Thug. Usher’s moves are as smooth as ever, and the singer even added a dash of social commentary to his sexy performance, wearing a shirt that said “Don’t Trump America.”
Sheila E. closed out the show
Sheila E. delivered the final Prince tribute of the BET Awards, performing a medley of his iconic songs. After a few more slow and emotional tributes, Sheila E. ended the night on a high note that had everyone in the audience dancing and singing along.
Jamie Foxx shared Prince with his daughter
During the final performance of the night, Jamie Foxx shared a sweet moment with his date to the BET Awards, his daughter Annalise. As Sheila E. performed the closing tribute to Prince, Foxx sang along with his young daughter — a true music moment.
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