June 24, 2018
by Carla Hay
With two awards each, Kendrick Lamar and Cardi B were the top winners at the 2018 BET Awards, which took place on June 24 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Neither artist was at the award show, which was hosted by Jamie Foxx. Kendrick Lamar won the awards for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist and Best Album for “DAMN.” Cardi B won the prizes for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist and the Viewers’ Choice Award for “Bodak Yellow.”
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Anita Baker was given the Lifetime Achievement Award. Foxx, Marsha Ambrosius, Ledisi and Yolanda Adams, paid tribute to Baker with a medley of her hit songs. In addition, for the first time, BET selected six individuals—James Shaw Jr., Naomi Wadler, Mamoudou Gassama, Justin Blackman, Shaun King and Anthony Borges—to be honored as Humanitarian Heroes.
Other performers included Nicki Minaj, Snoop Dogg, Migos, Meek Mill, Janelle Monáe, H.E.R., Ella Mai, 2 Chainz, Big Sean, YG, Miguel, Jay Rock, SiR, Sly Pyper and Tye Tribbett.
Presenters included John Legend, Tyra Banks, Terry Crews, Anderson.Paak, Lakeith Stanfield, Tyler Perry, Regina Hall, Amandla Stenberg, Tika Sumpter, Omari Hardwick, Questlove, Wale, Markelle Fultz, Black Thought, T.I., Kevin Hart, LL Cool J, Chloe x Halle, Yvonne Orji, Bobby Brown, Trevor Jackson, Jason Mitchell, Mike Colter, Woody McClain, Jacob Latimore, Gabrielle Dennis, Tyler Perry, Regina Hall, Amandla Stenberg, Tika Sumpter and Omari Hardwick.
Debra Lee, former chairman/CEO of BET Networks, was given the BET Ultimate Icon Award. Lee had been with BET since 1986, until she announced her exit in May 2018.
Here is the complete list of winners and nominees for the 2018 BET Awards:
*=winner
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist Award
Beyoncé*
SZA
H.E.R.
Rihanna
Kehlani
Best Male R&B/ Pop Artist Award
Bruno Mars
Chris Brown*
The Weeknd
Khalid
Daniel Caesar
Best Group Award
Migos*
A Tribe Called Quest
N.E.R.D.
Rae Sremmurd
Chloe X Halle
Best Collaboration Award
Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)”
DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – “Wild Thoughts”*
DJ Khaled featuringJay-Z, Future & Beyoncé – “Top Off”
Cardi B featuring 21 Savage – “Bartier Cardi”
French Montana featuring Swae Lee – “Unforgettable”
Kendrick Lamar featuring Rihanna – “LOYALTY.”
Best Male Hip Hop Artist Award
Drake
Kendrick Lamar*
DJ Khaled
Jay-Z
J. Cole
Best Female Hip Hop Artist Award
Cardi B*
Nicki Minaj
Remy Ma
DeJ Loaf
Rapsody
Video of the Year Award
Drake – “God’s Plan”*
Cardi B – “Bodak Yellow”
Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)”
DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – “Wild Thoughts”
Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.”
Migos featuring Drake – “Walk It Talk It”
Video Director of the Year Award
Benny Boom
Director X
Ava Duvernay*
Chris Brown
Dave Meyers
Best New Artist Award
SZA*
H.E.R.
Daniel Caesar
GOLDLINK
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
Lecrae featuring Tori Kelly – “I’ll Find You”*
Snoop Dogg featuring B. Slade – “Words Are Few”
Ledisi & Kirk Franklin – “If You Don’t Mind”
Marvin Sapp – “Close”
Tasha Cobbs Leonard featuring Nicki Minaj – “I’m Getting Ready”
The Best International Act Award
Booba (France)
Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
Dadju (France)
Davido (Nigeria)*
Distruction Boyz (South Africa)
Fally Ipupa (Congo)
J Hus (U.K.)
Niska (France)
Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
Stefflon Don (U.K.)
Stormzy (U.K.)
Best Actress Award
Tiffany Haddish*
Lupita Nyong’o
Issa Rae
Angela Bassett
Letitia Wright
Taraji P. Henson
Best Actor Award
Chadwick Boseman*
Michael B. Jordan
Donald Glover
Sterling K. Brown
Denzel Washington
Daniel Kaluuya
Young Stars Award
Yara Shahidi*
Ashton Tyler
Caleb McLaughlin
Lonnie Chavis
Marsai Martin
Miles Brown
Best Movie Award
“Black Panther”*
“Girls Trip”
“A Wrinkle in Time”
“Detroit”
“Mudbound”
Sportswoman of the Year Award
Serena Williams*
Venus Williams
Skylar Diggins-Smith
Candace Parker
Elana Meyers Taylor
Sportsman of the Year Award
Stephen Curry
LeBron James*
Kevin Durant
Dwyane Wade
Odell Beckham Jr.
Album of the Year Award
“DAMN.” – Kendrick Lamar*
“Ctrl” – SZA
“4:44” – Jay-Z
“Culture II” – Migos
“Black Panther: The Album” – Kendrick Lamar & Various Artists
“Grateful” – DJ Khaled
BET Her Award
Janelle Monae – “Django Jane”
Lizzo – “Water Me”
Mary J. Blige – “Strength of a Woman”*
Remy Ma featuring Chris Brown – “Melanin Magic (Pretty Brown)”
Chloe X Halle – “The Kids Are Alright”
Leikeli47 – “2nd Fiddle”
Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
SZA featuring Travis Scott – “Love Galore”
Cardi B – “Bodak Yellow”*
Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.”
Drake – “God’s Plan”
Migos feat. Cardi B & Nicki Minaj – “Motor Sport”
DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – “Wild Thoughts”