It's almost that time of year again for the BET Awards. Over the past 13 years, BET has celebrated urban culture and entertainment in Los Angeles, California in the month of June. Since BET aired its first awards show in 2000, the show continues to grow every year with new artist, old artist, and overall amazingly talented people.
The BET Awards became one of my favorite times of year on television. BET never ceases to surprise its viewers with jaw dropping performances, raw & uncensored outburst, and moments that will be talked about forever. I picked some of the hottest moments in BET Awards history. In light of this year's BET Awards I narrowed my selection down to my favorite 14 hottest moments in no particular order. Take a ride down BET Awards memory lane with me below. The 2014 BET Awards airs June 29th at 8pm.
1. The Fugees Reunite, 2012
It was years since we had seen The Fugees together onstage. The Hip-Hop group shocked the crowd with a reuniting performance, and gave us hope they would drop another album (unfortunately that didn't work out). The group sang some of their classic it's like "Ready Or Not" and "Killing Me Softly." Lauryn Hill also made headlines a new look she premiered that the show.
2. Chris Brown's Michael Jackson Tribute, 2010
If this wasn't one of the greatest BET Awards moments, I don't know what is! Chris Brown paid tribute to his idol, the late great Michael Jackson with a show stopping performance. This was the first time Breezy performed following the incident with ex-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009. BET being a pivotal part in Chris Brown's career, gave Chris an opportunity to not only pay tribute to MJ, but in a sense apologize to the world through his music.
3. Charlie Wilson's "Lifetime Achievement Award" Performance, 2013
Last year Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Charlie Wilson had one of the best tribute performances in BET Awards history. Charlie Wilson, Snoop Dogg, Pharrell, Justin Timberlake, and Stevie Wonder brought the house down. Blending generations and celebrating over three decades of music, there was never a dull moment onstage. I think whether you were at home or live at the BET Awards, you were on your feet dancing to Charlie Wilson and the classic The Gap Band.
4. Rick James & Teena Marie Performance, 2004
This performance is still the most talked about performance in BET Awards History. R&B legends Rick James and Teena Marie performed together during the 2004 BET Awards. If the performance itself didn't spark up conversation, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient gave the world something to remember forever with his "I'm Rick James bitch!" line. Rest in peace to both Teena Marie and Rick James.
5. Monique "Crazy In Love" Opening Performance, 2004
Queen of Comedy Monique had lots of pride for full figured women and had no problem saying "skinny women are evil." She hosted the 2004 BET Awards, opening the show to Beyoncé's "Crazy In Love" with a group of full figured women that shut a lot of haters up that night. Her epic "uh oh" performance has gone down in BET Awards history as one of the best opening performances. Would you like to see her host again?
6. Michael Jackson Presents James Brown With Lifetime Achievement Award, 2003
What's better than seeing the King of Funk & Soul and the King of Pop onstage together? Just watching this again gets me excited! While many of today's artist such as Usher and Chris Brown look up to Michael Jackson as one of their musical influences, Michael Jackson looked up to James Brown. MJ has always been vocal about the great James Brown being his inspiration throughout his career. Many of Michael Jackson's moves were inspired by the great James Brown. Simply a great moment in entertainment and music history. Rest in Peace to these great legends!
7. B2K "Bump Bump/Girlfriend" Performance, 2003
In the early 2000's B2K was one the top teen R&B groups out. From 106 & Park, movies, videos, and music that made the girls scream, B2K was one of my favorite groups. Their song "Girlfriend" was #1 on BET for the longest so it was only right they performed it at the BET Awards. I knew the entire choreography for the performance, sue me.
8. Kendrick Lamar ft. Erykah Badu "Don't Kill My Vibe" Performance, 2013
In 2013, Kendrick Lamar dominated the Hip-Hop scene. His chart topping single "Don't Kill My Vibe," created one of the most commonly used phrases last year. His performance last year shocked fans when he had the great Erykah Badu accompany him during his performance. Together they killed the stage going down in BET Awards history, as one of the best collaboration performances.
9. Destiny's Child "Cater 2 U" Performance, 2005
When Destiny's Child performed at the 2005 BET Awards, they shut the whole show down! No set, no flashy costumes, just curves, Magic Johnson, Terrence Howard and Nelly! Needless to say their show stopping lap dance performance is hands down apart of BET Awards most memorable performances.
10. Usher "Yeah/Burn" Performance, 2004
2004 was Usher's year! His classic album Confessions dropped earlier that year, which solidified his spot in music history. Usher's dope performance in 2004 was nothing short of creativity. He performed his hit "Yeah" featuring Atlanta's own Lil Jon & Ludacris as well as "Burn." Usher's always delivers great performances at the BET Awards each time.
11. Lil Bow Wow "That's My Name" 2001
You can't recap BET moments of the past 13 years and not include Mr. 106 & Park himself. Bow Wow is no new face to BET and was along some of the first artist to perform at the BET Awards. I was a huge Lil Bow Wow fan back in the day, so I had to take it back to air force ones and airbrush t-shirts! Do you remember that pressed hair and the crip walk? Good memories!
12. Jay- Z "Public Service Announcement/99 Problems," 2004
Jay-Z had a classic performance in 2004. Performing "Public Service Announcement" and "99 Problems," Jay-Z with Kid Rock, Sheila E, Rick Rubin, and Amir from The Roots, Jay-Z proved not only did he have the hottest chick in the game wearing his chain, but he was able to combine Rock & Hip-Hop together. He dedicated his performance to the late Jam Master Jay.
13. Prince Lifetime Achievement Awards Tribute, 2010
The BET Awards never fails during the Lifetime Achievement Awards segment of the show. In 2010, Prince was honored the award and to deliver the tribute was Janelle Monae, Alicia Keys, Patti Labelle, and Esperanza Spalding. The most talked about part of the tribute was Alicia Key's performance. Pregnant with her son Egypt, Alicia got really sexy and performed on top of the piano singing "Adore." Prince's face was priceless!
14. D'Angelo Come Back Performance, 2012
Before the 2012 BET Awards, it was years since we had last seen D'Angelo. In the 90's D'Angelo went down in history for having the sexiest and most provocative music video to air on regular television. He opened the 2012 BET Awards taking us back to "Brown Sugar" and "How Does It Feel." Even though he didn't look quite the same as he did in the "How Does It Feel" video, the crowd still receive him well and took a trip down memory lane.
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