2023 BET Awards WINNERS: Latto wins Best Female Hip Hop Artist while Teyana Taylor's mother accepts Video Director of the Year for her... and CALLS her on Facetime plus Busta Rhymes honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
Latto was named Best Female Hip Hop Artist at the 2023 BET Awards, one of the many highlights of the annual show, along with a few unconventional speeches.
One of those unconventional speeches came from Nikki Taylor, the mother of Teyana 'Spike Tey' Taylor, who appeared in her daughter's stead to accept the honors for Video Director of the Year, and called her via FaceTime.
Rap icon Busta Rhymes was also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award during the ceremony, held at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles.
Latto beat out a loaded category that included nominees such as Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, Coi Leray, GloRilla and Ice Spice.
The Columbus, Ohio native, 24, thanked God, her fellow competitors in the category, and her mother in her speech.
![Latto: Latto was named Best Female Hip Hop Artist at the 2022 BET Awards, one of the many highlights of the annual show, along with a few unconventional speeches](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/07/72531103-12232833-image-a-42_1687761108238.jpg)
Latto: Latto was named Best Female Hip Hop Artist at the 2022 BET Awards, one of the many highlights of the annual show, along with a few unconventional speeches
![Tey's mom: One of those unconventional speeches came from Nikki Taylor, the mother of Teyana 'Spike Tey' Taylor, who appeared in her daughter's stead to accept the honors for Video Director of the Year, and called her via FaceTime](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/07/72531127-12232833-image-a-43_1687761121837.jpg)
Tey's mom: One of those unconventional speeches came from Nikki Taylor, the mother of Teyana 'Spike Tey' Taylor, who appeared in her daughter's stead to accept the honors for Video Director of the Year, and called her via FaceTime
![Busta: Rap icon Busta Rhymes was also awarded the Lifetime Achivement Award during the ceremony, held at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/07/72531277-12232833-image-a-44_1687761157944.jpg)
Busta: Rap icon Busta Rhymes was also awarded the Lifetime Achivement Award during the ceremony, held at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles
'Shout out to all the women in the category,' she said. 'All the women who paved the way for this to even be possible.'
'This category is going crazy this year. Shout out to some woman who I think should have been in the category ... we killing it ... hopefully we're going to see an all-female tour, you feel me, very soon,' she concluded.
Taylor emerged the victor against fellow nominees A$AP Rocky for AWGE; Benny Boom; Burna Boy, Cole Bennett, Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar and Director X.
Teyana 'Spike Tey' Taylor's mother Nikki Taylor appeared in her stead to accept the honors for Video Director of the Year, and called her via FaceTime.
Teyana said, 'I do want to thank God, give him all the glory - I'm so thankful, so thank you so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you.'
Busta Rhymes was given the Lifetime Achievement Award - one of the highest honors at the ceremony - which given to Sean 'Diddy' Combs at last year's ceremony.
Presenter Marlon Wayans, 50, hailed the rap artist as 'in a word, brilliant,' adding that he asked to be involved in the segment after learning that the musical veteran would be celebrated.
'Busta, everybody knows he deserves it, good brother, great dude,' Wayans said.
![Shout-out: 'Shout out to all the women in the category,' she said. 'All the women who paved the way for this to even be possible'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/07/72531481-12232833-image-a-46_1687761539919.jpg)
Shout-out: 'Shout out to all the women in the category,' she said. 'All the women who paved the way for this to even be possible'
![Teyana 'Spike Tey' Taylor's mother Nikki Taylor appeared in her stead to accept the honors for Video Director of the Year, and called her via FaceTime](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/01/72524959-12232833-image-a-33_1687740990209.jpg)
Teyana 'Spike Tey' Taylor's mother Nikki Taylor appeared in her stead to accept the honors for Video Director of the Year, and called her via FaceTime
![Taylor emerged the victor against fellow nominees A$AP Rocky for AWGE; Benny Boom; Burna Boy, Cole Bennett, Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar and Director X](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/01/72524961-12232833-image-a-32_1687740968198.jpg)
Taylor emerged the victor against fellow nominees A$AP Rocky for AWGE; Benny Boom; Burna Boy, Cole Bennett, Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar and Director X
![Teyana said, 'I do want to thank God, give him all the glory - I'm so thankful, so thank you so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you.'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/01/72524895-12232833-image-a-31_1687740899464.jpg)
Teyana said, 'I do want to thank God, give him all the glory - I'm so thankful, so thank you so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you.'
![Busta Rhymes was given the Lifetime Achievement Award - one of the highest honors at the ceremony - which given to Sean 'Diddy' Combs at last year's ceremony](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/04/72527093-12232833-image-a-42_1687748814653.jpg)
Busta Rhymes was given the Lifetime Achievement Award - one of the highest honors at the ceremony - which given to Sean 'Diddy' Combs at last year's ceremony
![Swizz Beatz hailed Busta for his impact in music, saying, 'There are so many people in this room that this brother inspired'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/04/72527097-12232833-image-a-44_1687748858554.jpg)
Swizz Beatz hailed Busta for his impact in music, saying, 'There are so many people in this room that this brother inspired'
![Busta said he was emotional in being presented with the honors: All right - so... I'm going to wear it on my sleeve - I do want to cry'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/04/72527087-12232833-image-a-45_1687748882387.jpg)
Busta said he was emotional in being presented with the honors: All right - so... I'm going to wear it on my sleeve - I do want to cry'
A segment aired featuring Combs, Janet Jackson, Dave Chapelle, Chuck D and others hailing the rap artist's legacy.
Swizz Beatz, 44, then came out and hailed Busta for his impact in music, saying, 'There are so many people in this room that this brother inspired.'
Busta, 51, said he was emotional in being presented with the honors: All right - so... I'm going to wear it on my sleeve - I do want to cry.'
Busta said he was the youngest one of his former group, Leaders Of The New School, and now is father to six children.
The New York City native opened up about his relentless hustling for a solo career after he was kicked out of the group in 1993 - and used high-end marijuana to open doors professionally for himself.
'I would call the studio sets, and when I found out who was in them, I would just pop I knew there was going to be happy to see me anyway, popping in the street,' he said. 'So I would pull up to the studio and I would act like I was working in those studio rooms the night before, and I forgot something in there.
'Left my book, I got to look for something. Good to see y'all ... coming in that room, I got my white owl cigar, chocolate burning already, I knew once I passed it to the MCs and they saw it in that session, they couldn't kick me out.'
He said that he made a living at the time by collaborating with the artists on hand and getting paid for his contributions: 'Long story short, by default, I pioneered the feature.'
![The New York City native opened up about his relentless hustling for a solo career after he was kicked out of his former group Leaders Of The New School in 1993](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/04/72527155-12232833-image-a-46_1687749009977.jpg)
The New York City native opened up about his relentless hustling for a solo career after he was kicked out of his former group Leaders Of The New School in 1993
![Busta worked up a sweat in performing a series of his hits after he was given the honors](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/05/72528931-12232833-The_New_York_City_native-m-56_1687755253983.jpg)
Busta worked up a sweat in performing a series of his hits after he was given the honors
![The rap veteran was pictured alongside Spliff Star and Dexta Daps in the set](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/05/72528911-12232833-image-a-57_1687755300436.jpg)
The rap veteran was pictured alongside Spliff Star and Dexta Daps in the set
![The musical artist was visibly emotional as he concluded his set](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/05/72528869-12232833-image-a-58_1687755379919.jpg)
The musical artist was visibly emotional as he concluded his set
![Presenter Marlon Wayans, 50, hailed the rap artist as 'in a word, brilliant,' adding that he asked to be involved in the segment after learning that the musical veteran would be celebrated](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/04/72527263-12232833-image-a-47_1687749198749.jpg)
Presenter Marlon Wayans, 50, hailed the rap artist as 'in a word, brilliant,' adding that he asked to be involved in the segment after learning that the musical veteran would be celebrated
![Scar Lip donned an all-white ensemble as she performed This Is New York during the tribute to Busta](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/06/72530091-12232833-image-a-74_1687757143774.jpg)
Scar Lip donned an all-white ensemble as she performed This Is New York during the tribute to Busta
![Coi Leray delivered a rendition of Players during the Busta Rhymes tribute](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/06/72530103-12232833-image-a-76_1687757243315.jpg)
Coi Leray delivered a rendition of Players during the Busta Rhymes tribute
![BIA wore a white ensemble with cutouts as she performed Beach Ball](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/06/72530107-12232833-image-a-75_1687757186674.jpg)
BIA wore a white ensemble with cutouts as she performed Beach Ball
Busta continued: 'I am grateful that the blessing that has been bestowed upon me and this gift that I have been given and this fire that continues to burn as a passion in my soul that allows me to get in any situation on the stage and making sure that I am far from the weak link, I enjoy walking away from a situation saying I bust ass!'
The awards show began with Coco Jones becoming emotional as she accepted the honors for Best New Artist at the BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles Sunday.
'I am so happy - oh, thank you, Jesus,' the 25-year-old singer said, wiping away tears, as she accepted the honors.
'It has been a long journey,' she said. 'Thank you, God, for rocking with me the whole time. Thank you to my culture, who has stood beside me, raised together, been a really long journey, thank you to my team, thank you for taking a chance on me.'
The Columbia, South Carolina native emerged victorious over fellow nominees Ambré, Doechii, FLO, GloRilla, Ice Spice and Lola Brooke in capturing the honors.
'I do want to thank God, give him all the glory,' she said. 'I'm so thankful, so thank you so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you.'
Beyoncé's Break My Soul was named the winner of the BET Her award, but was not able to attend amid her ongoing tour.
Presenters Malcolm Barrett and Cynthia Kaye McWilliams of the upcoming BET series Average Joe accepted the honors on her behalf.
![The latest: Coco Jones was emotional as she accepted the honors for Best New Artist at the BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles Sunday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/01/72523551-12232833-image-a-18_1687739271888.jpg)
The latest: Coco Jones was emotional as she accepted the honors for Best New Artist at the BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles Sunday
![The singer, wiping away tears, accepted the honors, saying, 'I am so happy - oh, thank you, Jesus'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/01/72523553-12232833-image-a-19_1687739314364.jpg)
The singer, wiping away tears, accepted the honors, saying, 'I am so happy - oh, thank you, Jesus'
![The Columbia, South Carolina native emerged victorious over fellow nominees Ambré, Doechii, FLO, GloRilla, Ice Spice and Lola Brooke in capturing the honors](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/01/72524541-12232833-image-a-30_1687740505973.jpg)
The Columbia, South Carolina native emerged victorious over fellow nominees Ambré, Doechii, FLO, GloRilla, Ice Spice and Lola Brooke in capturing the honors
![Jones was seen posing backstage with her award at the show in Southern California](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/02/72525955-12232833-image-a-41_1687744439941.jpg)
Jones was seen posing backstage with her award at the show in Southern California
Beyoncé was also named the winner of the Viewer’s Choice Award for Break My Soul.
She bested fellow nominees Lizzo (About Damn Time), Jack Harlow (First Class), Drake feat 21 Savage (Jimmy Cooks), SZA (Kill Bill), Burna Boy (Last Last), Nicki Minaj (Super Freaky Girl) and Future feat. Drake & Tems (Wait For U).
The show returned Sunday night with a promise to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop and a tribute to hip-hop's most significant moments, as curated by Kid Capri, with Patti Labelle paying tribute to the late Tina Turner.
The show was set to be broadcast on BET, BET HER and numerous Paramount channels including Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon and VH1. It was also livestream on BET.com.
Drake led the nominations with seven: He's up for best male hip-hop artist and male R&B/pop artist.
He is also up for few shared titles, including best collaboration and viewer's choice with Future and Tems for their song Wait for U.
Drake was also nominated for album of the year and best group for his collaboration with 21 Savage, Her Loss, and viewer's choice for their hit Jimmy Cooks.
The 12-time Grammy Award nominated rapper, producer, and pioneering hip-hop figure is widely regarded as one of the great MCs, with seven Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits to his name.
![Ice Spice was among the performers to take the stage at Sunday's award show](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/05/72528937-12232833-image-m-49_1687754737065.jpg)
Ice Spice was among the performers to take the stage at Sunday's award show
![The Bronx native, 23, performed a medley of her singles Munch, Princess Diana and In Ha Mood](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/05/72529149-12232833-image-a-50_1687754957436.jpg)
The Bronx native, 23, performed a medley of her singles Munch, Princess Diana and In Ha Mood
![She was flanked by dancers during the medley, and appeared on a Bronx-themed set](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/05/72528991-12232833-image-a-51_1687754969505.jpg)
She was flanked by dancers during the medley, and appeared on a Bronx-themed set
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/07/72528989-12232833-image-a-41_1687759900174.jpg)
![The songstress was seated in an elevated basketball hoop during her set at the show](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/05/72529209-12232833-image-a-52_1687755042621.jpg)
The songstress was seated in an elevated basketball hoop during her set at the show
![GloRilla performed the song Lick or Sum in a red leather ensemble](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/06/72530321-12232833-image-a-78_1687757647942.jpg)
GloRilla performed the song Lick or Sum in a red leather ensemble
![She was positioned on a couch with her name in the background at the show](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/06/72530319-12232833-image-a-79_1687757674505.jpg)
She was positioned on a couch with her name in the background at the show
![Latto was named Best Female Hip Hop Artist at the show, besting a loaded category that included nominees such as Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, Coi Leray, GloRilla and Ice Spice](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/02/72525443-12232833-Latto_was_named_Best_Female_Hip_Hop_Artist_at_the_show_besting_a-m-35_1687742229497.jpg)
Latto was named Best Female Hip Hop Artist at the show, besting a loaded category that included nominees such as Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, Coi Leray, GloRilla and Ice Spice
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/02/72525463-12232833-image-m-38_1687742340185.jpg)
The Columbus, Ohio native, 24, thanked God, her fellow competitors in the category, and her mother in her acceptance speech
![The musical artist also performed Out Put It On Da Floor at the show Sunday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/06/72529457-12232833-image-a-59_1687755602277.jpg)
The musical artist also performed Out Put It On Da Floor at the show Sunday
![She was flanked by a group of dancers as she took to the stage to perform the single](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/06/72529455-12232833-image-a-60_1687755664438.jpg)
She was flanked by a group of dancers as she took to the stage to perform the single
![The singer performed on a set that was lit up with primary colors through different sequences](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/06/72529461-12232833-image-m-66_1687755767135.jpg)
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/06/72529625-12232833-image-a-67_1687755779879.jpg)
The singer performed on a set that was lit up with primary colors through different sequences
![The Big Energy artist was overjoyed as she made her way to the stage](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/02/72525569-12232833-image-m-40_1687742839083.jpg)
The Big Energy artist was overjoyed as she made her way to the stage
![The show returned Sunday night with a promise to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/01/72522635-12232833-image-a-7_1687738508577.jpg)
The show returned Sunday night with a promise to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop
![Quavo and Offset performed in memory of their late Migos bandmate Takeoff at Sunday's show](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/06/72529711-12232833-image-a-68_1687755968443.jpg)
Quavo and Offset performed in memory of their late Migos bandmate Takeoff at Sunday's show
![The collaboration marked the first time the pair had performed together since Takeoff's tragic death in a shooting last fall](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/06/72529683-12232833-image-a-70_1687755987087.jpg)
The collaboration marked the first time the pair had performed together since Takeoff's tragic death in a shooting last fall
![The tandem performed the track Bad and Boujee in memory of their fallen bandmate](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/06/72529671-12232833-image-a-69_1687755981815.jpg)
The tandem performed the track Bad and Boujee in memory of their fallen bandmate
![Trina donned a luxe red ensemble with long gloves as she performed alongside Trick Daddy](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/06/72529897-12232833-image-a-73_1687756605091.jpg)
Trina donned a luxe red ensemble with long gloves as she performed alongside Trick Daddy
![Trick Daddy was seen onstage performing the hit Nann in a set with Trina](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/06/72530387-12232833-image-a-80_1687757831483.jpg)
Trick Daddy was seen onstage performing the hit Nann in a set with Trina
![Luther 'Uncle Luke' Campbell of 2 Live Crew performed I Wanna Rock (Doo Doo Brown)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/06/72530365-12232833-image-a-81_1687757876109.jpg)
Luther 'Uncle Luke' Campbell of 2 Live Crew performed I Wanna Rock (Doo Doo Brown)
![Lil Uzi Vert was seen at the show performing his track Just Wanna Rock](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/06/72530275-12232833-image-a-77_1687757552321.jpg)
Lil Uzi Vert was seen at the show performing his track Just Wanna Rock
![Davido took to the stage to perform his track UNAVAILABLE](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/26/06/72530409-12232833-image-a-82_1687758006422.jpg)
Davido took to the stage to perform his track UNAVAILABLE
Bia, Coi Leray, Cutty Ranks, Dexta Daps, M.O.P., Rah Digga, ScarLip, Spice, Supercat, and Swizz Beatz were scheduled to pay tribute to Rhymes.
It´s one of several moments that will honor the legacy of hip-hop, which BET has supported for decades through shows like Rap City and 106 & Park.
Other performers at the 2023 BET Awards include Chief Keef, DJ Unk, E-40, Fast Life Yungstaz & Easton (F.L.Y.), Fat Joe, Soulja Boy, The Sugarhill Gang, Tyga, Ying Yang Twins and Yo-Yo.
The show, like so many other awards shows in recent years, went on without a formal host.
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