2023 BET Awards recap: Biggest moments, full winners list

The 2023 BET Awards, known as “culture’s biggest night,” aired Sunday night live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

The show honored the 50th anniversary of hip-hip and delivered iconic performances from acts new and old. Current hitmakers like Doechii, GloRilla, Ice Spice and Lil Uzi Vert took to the stage, as did legends like Big Daddy Kane, Ja Rule, Master P, Remy Ma, Soulja Boy, The Sugarhill Gang, Ying Yang Twins and Trina, to name a few.

Coco Jones, who won best new artist, and rappers Offset and Quavo, who honored fellow Migos member Takeoff, who was killed in November, also performed.

Patti LaBelle led a tribute to the late Tina Turner, who died in May. LaBelle performed Turner’s hit “(Simply) The Best” and, although the icon messed up some of the lyrics, she owned it and finished her performance strong.

Beyoncé and SZA — neither of whom attended the show — won three awards each during the telecast, including their tie for album of the year for “Renaissance” and “SOS,” respectively. They weren’t the only tie, as Chris Brown and Usher tied for best male R&B/pop artist.

SZA also took home best female R&B/pop artist and video of the year for “Kill Bill” while Beyoncé won the viewer’s choice award and the BET Her honor for “Break My Soul.”

Drake and 21 Savage won best group while Latto was named best female hip-hop artist and Kendrick Lamar was named best male hip-hop artist.

One of the most memorable moments of the night came when Teyana “Spike Tey” Taylor, who was not at the ceremony, won video director of the year and gave an acceptance speech via a video call to her mother onstage.

After a short video about Busta Rhymes’ accomplishments in the industry — featuring commentary from stars like Diddy, Pharrell Williams, Janet Jackson, Dave Chappelle and more — Marlon Wayans and Swizz Beatz presented him with this year’s lifetime achievement award.

“I’m gonna wear it on my sleeve. I do want to cry,” he said before wiping away tears and delivering a moving speech on getting started in the industry. He later performed a medley of some of his biggest hits.