Beyoncé Steals the Show with BET Humanitarian Award Speech

All hail Beyoncé. Last night, the star was awarded the BET Humanitarian Award at the 2020 BET Awards, and she stole the show with a moving speech about our current political moment. Beyoncé’s Humanitarian Award speech called upon viewers to “dismantle a racist and unequal system,” and she praised Black Lives Matter protestors across the country for demanding justice. “Your voices are being heard and you’re proving to our ancestors that their struggles were not in vain,” she said.

Beyoncé’s BET Awards speech may have been the highlight of the night, but it was by no means the only special moment. From Marsai Martin’s BET Awards look to Alicia Keys’ moving performance of “Perfect Way to Die,” it was quite an emotional night. What else went down at the 2020 BET Awards? Where can I watch Beyoncé’s Humanitarian Awards speech? Here’s everything you need to know!

WHAT IS THE BET HUMANITARIAN AWARD?

Every year, the BET Awards celebrates a different Black artist for their contributions to society, and this year, that honor fell to Beyoncé. In a video introducing the award winner, Michelle Obama praised Beyoncé’s tremendous accomplishments, saying, “You can see it in everything she does, from her music that gives voice to Black joy and Black pain, to her activism that demands justice for Black lives.”

WHERE CAN I WATCH THE BEYONCE HUMANITARIAN AWARD BET SPEECH?

While BET has released many of last night’s performances on their YouTube page, Beyoncé’s acceptance speech is notably absent. But of course, this is where the Beyhive comes in: fans were quick to rip the speech and post it on Twitter, where it immediately went viral.

ALICIA KEYS BET PERFORMANCE 2020: HOW TO WATCH

Elsewhere in the show, Alicia Keys commanded the stage with the first-ever live performance of “Perfect Way to Die.” Keys’ song paid tribute to the many Black Americans who have been killed by police, including George Floyd, Brianna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. Watch Alicia Keys’ BET Awards performance below.

FIGHT THE POWER: BET AWARDS GETS STAR-STUDDED REMIX OF PUBLIC ENEMY CLASSIC

And who could forget Public Enemy’s new remix of anti-police anthem “Fight the Power?” Public Enemy recruited a host of Black talent, including Nas and Black Thought, for a new take on their 1989 hit, and it’s a rendition fans won’t soon forget.

WHY DID MARSAI MARTIN’S BET AWARDS LOOK GO VIRAL?

Unfortunately, the 2020 BET Awards weren’t all positive. Shortly before the awards, actress Marsai Martin shared a photo of her poolside awards show look, an all-yellow number. After presenting the Best Female Hip Hop artist award, viewers began criticizing Martin’s outfit, as well as her blonde wig and braces.

The 15-year-old quickly shut down the ridiculous backlash, tweeting, “Sorry some of y’all don’t like my hair. Or teeth … Good thing I don’t put my effort into trying to please everyone.”

Good for you, girl!