“Cultures Biggest Night,” aka the BET Awards 2022, went down Sunday night and did not disappoint when it comes to those classic moments that left social media reacting.
BET Awards 2022 Was A Bit of A Mess
The 22nd annual BET Awards started on a high note with a spirited performance from Lizzo, who rocked the Microsoft Center in Los Angeles with her latest feel-good record, “it’s About Damn Time.” Second-year host Taraji P. Henson then took over breaking, reeling the crowd back in with her opening monologue where she touched on the recent horrendous Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe V. Wade.
Moving along, we felt the night would be interesting, but we had no idea it would teeter on the borderline outrageous side. French actor Jussie Smolliét AKA Jussie Smollett was in attendance next to the gorgeous Brandee Evans, star of the Starz latest hit show P-Valley.
Acclaimed French actor Juicy Smolliet is in the building #BetAwards pic.twitter.com/v2dsxJ4bNE
— B E A N Z| Credit Your Photographer Please! (@PhotosByBeanz) June 27, 2022
Setting our focus back to the stage, Jack Harlow, the white rapper whose song “First Class” happens to be every Instagram hottie’s go-to record for their vacation recap reels. Twitter was already skeptical about Harlow’s appearance at the award’s show, mainly because of Lil Nas X’s snub and because he had no idea Ray J and Brandy were brother and sister.
Little did we know that Harlow had an ace up his sleeve when he brought out B-Rocka, aka Brandy, to perform her “diss track” nobody asked for during his performance of “First Class,” showing the two artists are on good terms.
Harlow also brought out Lil Wayne earlier. One Twitter user described the rapper’s entire time during the BET Awards as “Harlow’s PR team working hard.”
jack harlow's PR team working hard #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/gpJOwYONdj
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) June 27, 2022
Another wild moment had to be with Mignon, a cast member from the BET show Sistas. Her cast members used their time to address the Roe V. Wade decision. Mignon decided that would be a good moment for her to shoot her shot at Michael B. Jordan. Singer Ella Mai was not amused.
Lmaooooo, she just shit her shot at Michael B, Jordan after they just spoke about Roe V. Wade and Ella Mai was not here for it #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/5qe5Q4JnIE
— B E A N Z| Credit Your Photographer Please! (@PhotosByBeanz) June 27, 2022
Diddy’s Lifetime Achievement Award Was A Spectacle
The biggest part of the night was Diddy receiving his flowers from BET for his lifetime contributions. The segment started with a well-done montage of performances featuring artists with whom the Bad Boy general collaborated through the years. We were happy to see Lil’Kim, Shyne, Busta Rhymes, Mary J. Blige, The LOX minus Styles P, and Jodeci honor the leader of the “can’t stop, won’t stop” movement.
BUT, we couldn’t help but notice the most significant absence, one MA$E who was definitely at home, probably throwing nothing but hate at Diddy from the couch.
Damn shame Mase is not going to be apart of this #BetAwards
— B E A N Z| Credit Your Photographer Please! (@PhotosByBeanz) June 27, 2022
But wait, there was more. A big surprise was Kanye West being in the building. Nobody was ready for him to walk out on the stage looking like Jason Voorhees in streetwear.
Babyface looking at Kanye like how you turn a dedication to Diddy into something about you b #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/vzJBe2pTQE
— Christian (@KingJaffe617) June 27, 2022
Then there was Diddy’s speech, the most extended Roc Nation brunch toast we have ever heard raised eyebrows. People could help but notice that Brother Love thanked everyone, from his late girlfriend Kim Porter to his ex-Cassie, but didn’t mention his kids or current “girlfriend” Yung Miami.
To make matters worse, Caresha was spotted in the crowd holding a sign saying, “Go,https://twitter.com/redforjanet/status/1541249208539381762?s=20&t=dmDV4ZFWErP7oRXAXJhIUQ Papi.” Jessie Woo pointed that out in a tweet and felt the wrath of the City Girls.
— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) June 27, 2022
Male R&B Singers Had A Rough Night
You thought Omarion was going through it during his Verzuz event with Mario. Giveon and Bryson Tiller told him to hold their beers. Giveon, coming off the release of a new project, had a lot of momentum going into the night, but his voice didn’t cooperate with him while singing “Heartbreak Anniversary.”
What in the #Verzuz is going on at the #BETAwards ? pic.twitter.com/kSWQJOWRSy
— B E A N Z| Credit Your Photographer Please! (@PhotosByBeanz) June 27, 2022
Giveon wasn’t alone. Bryson Tiller also had an embarrassing moment during the Diddy tribute montage while attempting to “sing” during a performance of their new single “Gotta Move On.”
Lmaooooo yo, what the fuck. Bryson Tiller said nah fuck it, I’m gonna do something while I’m up here. #BetAwards pic.twitter.com/kUUDnkafYG
— B E A N Z| Credit Your Photographer Please! (@PhotosByBeanz) June 27, 2022
Ray J continued with his foolishness and was spotted throwing down a cup of noodles from his seat. We understand being hungry but come on now.
Why is Ray J eating a CUP OF NOODLES at the #BetAwards ?? pic.twitter.com/nFEjqgflV8
— 2Cool2Blog (@2cooI2blog) June 27, 2022
The In Memoriam Falls Flat
The BET Awards opened up speaking on Roe V. Wade being overturned and ended on it, mentioning the once “law of the land” in the opening moments of the in memoriam segment that also featured late problematic guru Kevin Samuels. Twitter was very confused about BET’s inclusion of Roe V. Wade in the tribute.
BET putting Roe v. Wade and Kevin Samuels in an “in memoriam” segment was the idea of someone who is extremely online and needs to touch grass.
— Andrew Hammond (@ahammFreePress) June 27, 2022
To make matters worse, BET ended the tribute to victims of gun violence by including gunshots. We would love to know who came up with that bright idea?
BET said Rip to those who died by gun violence #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/u5Y1VJCq8d
— B E A N Z| Credit Your Photographer Please! (@PhotosByBeanz) June 27, 2022
If we had to summarize the entire night, it wasn’t the BET Awards production, but it happens when you are putting together a live television production.
You can peep more reactions to the BET Awards 2022 in the gallery below.
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Photo: Paras Griffin / Getty
1. Definitely a choice
BET putting Roe V Wade and Kevin Samuels in this memorial, and ending it with gunshots is so… #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/6AEk6XeoBW
— Matthew . (@MathewNoKnowles) June 27, 2022
2. LOL
BET putting Roe v. Wade in the ‘In Memoriam’ section of the show is just…. #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/penKPXi4pX
— Typhiknee (@geish_) June 27, 2022
3. Would have been a moment, lol
imagine if BET would have let kandi give us a live performance of legs, hips, body #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/G2Rij7aUT1
— keshawn (@KeShawnMason) June 27, 2022
4. YUP
TEMS – Queen of Afrobeats #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/tiP4p4RFv6
— Tems Updates . (@temsszn) June 27, 2022
5. Accurate
Marsai: “And the winner for best collab is Wizkid ft Tems.”
Tems: pic.twitter.com/VmXAMl0K3Y
— Rachel. (@_loveRachel_) June 27, 2022
6. Not one lie told
Jazmine Sullivan, speaking to men: "If you have ever benefited from a woman making one of the toughest decision of her life — terminating a pregnancy — you need to stand up." #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/LZAovW4wPd
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) June 27, 2022
7.
Nobody:
Taraji after each commercial : #BETAwards #BETawards2022 pic.twitter.com/VG4C8IESRF— 🅺🅸🅽🅹 (@itskinjj) June 27, 2022
8.
he got this girl in the crowd holding a sign while he mentioning Cassie and Kim #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/Yzcdf55TAI
— Yessie (@ycjb_xoxo) June 27, 2022
10.
Biggest shocks of the night! #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/yFKuOOxgcH
— 𝔏𝔢𝔞𝔥.❁ | #BREAKMYSOUL (@redforjanet) June 27, 2022
11.
brandy is outrapping your favorites #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/9XOqG4VsTd
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) June 27, 2022
12.
Chloe mixing Her song Surprise with Adina Howard Freak Like Me was FUCKING PERFECTION #BETawards pic.twitter.com/a687qNdmWT
— Rihanna is on B7 (@wiz_thcreator) June 27, 2022
13.
Y’all can call Chloe extra, but at least she has her mic on and gives a performance each and every single time #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/TAwTXPOwUk
— '*•.¸♡ A ♡¸.•*' (@barbsicon) June 27, 2022
14.
Diddy just thanked Cassie while caresha holding a sign #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/5tFOeLeFxn
— Bri Marné (@NonGMHoee) June 27, 2022
15.
Giveon is out here sounding like Omarion and Ray J #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/64v8Wg8ECZ
— King Bryan (@imkingbryanbow) June 27, 2022
16.
Kanye coming out to give Diddy his flowers #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/AnUDjwcYT2
— MaltLiquorPapi (@LowkeyBrilliant) June 27, 2022
Source: Hip-Hop Wired