We are all of the way here for BET’s 2016 Hip Hop Awards in more ways than one! The performances were off the chain, DJ Khaled did what they didn’t want him to do, and let’s not get started about those cyphers! But let’s take a second to acknowledge how unapologetically black this year’s show was!
It goes without saying that anything put out by BET is FUBU material but these awards did an exceptional job with keeping the conversation going.
Big K.R.I.T. came hard with his politically charged, “Might Not Be Okay.” We were hoping to see this piece again very soon, ever since we told you guys about it a few weeks back! He delivered his message a cappella and costumed as a police officer — it was powerful to say the least. He left the stage with his fist in the air!
Check out the performance here.
T.I. added himself to the roster of artists to channel the Black Panther Party with “We Will Not.” He started his set with a stage of protestors who, by the end had been knocked down by police, mirroring the reality of community and police relations. He ends with the assaulting officers trying to take him down but they ultimately fall. “We gotta stand together. It’s us or else. It’s do or die. The time is now. They can’t kill us all.” We heard that, Tip!
Check out the performance here.
Sway had the answers this time, Okay?!
“Put your fist in the air if you got pride about yourself like this . . . believe me when I tell you, BET, we are the chosen ones; our voices are the loudest on this planet. We are at war, ladies and gentleman and there’s no magic, no magician, or no politician coming from the White House or otherwise that’s gonna save us. We have to inform ourselves, love ourselves, prepare and save ourselves,” Sway advises while he has the crowd standing with fists in the air.
Lecrae left his mark on the stage with his conscious, in-your-face spoken word piece addressing police brutality, Donald Trump, speaking up, sticking together, and America’s claim to greatness despite.
Check out the performance here.
We loved the push on voting as well! Which reminds us – make sure you’re registered to vote for the 2016 Presidential Election! It’s as easy as having a quick text-convo with your homegirls! Visit www.Hello.Vote/TheShadeRoom or Text THESHADEROOM to 384-387.
What were your favorite moments from the BET 2016 Hip Hop Awards?! Let’s Chat!
TSR STAFF: Chantel P.! @_popchanny on IG!
