This year’s BET Awards was one of the hottest shows on television. The four-day experience was event-packed filled with celebrities seen out and about at the hottest places attending the coolest parties. Check out our roundup of the hottest people, places, and parties at this year’s BET Awards 2016. By: Aphua Larbi-Amoah
2016 BET AWARDS
BET delivered a show filled with epic surprises and captivating moments including Beyonce who shocked the packed house when she opened the show with Kendrick Lamar in a first-ever live television performance of “Freedom.” The night continued with heartfelt high-energy performances in honor of Prince including Stevie Wonder who sang alongside Tori Kelly to “Take Me With U” and Jennifer Hudson following, blowing the crowd away with an emotional and breathtaking performance of Prince’s “Purple Rain.” Sheila E. shut the house down with an electrifying performance, featuring a medley of Prince classics including “Erotic City,” “Let’s Work,” “U Got the Look,” “A Love Bizarre,” “Glamorous Life,” and “Baby I’m A Star.”
DEBRA LEE PRE BET AWARDS CELEBRATION
Chairman and CEO of BET, Debra L. Lee kicked off the 2016 BET Awards with her annual pre-party, which took place at The London West Hollywood. The star-studded celebration toasted the best in music, comedy and entertainment, in advance of the 16th year of the BET Awards. Celebs in attendance included 2016 BET Awards Hosts Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson along with Kelly Rowland, Estelle, Eva Marcille, Luke James, MC Lyte, Terrence J, Rosci Diaz and Holly Robinson. Throughout the evening, guests welcomed the awards weekend ahead while enjoying gourmet bites, socializing and grooving to tracks from DJ Kiss and DJ D-Nice.
L.A. REID AND EPIC RECORDS EPICFEST
Epic Records hosted their second annual EPICFEST, which featured performances by Future, DJ Khaled, KONGOS, French Montana, Jidenna, Kat Dahlia and Lil Jon. Held at Sony Pictures Studios a slew of celebs were in attendance including Randy Jackson, Michael Strahan, Big Boi, Kelly Rowland, Cassie, Busta Rhymes, André 3000, Antonio Brown, Reggie Bush, Jermaine Dupri, Machine Gun Kelly, and more.
BET EXPERIENCE CONCERTS
Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz, A$Ap Ferg, Fetty Wap and Ty Dolla $Ign brought down the house at Staples Center with incredible performances. The party continued with the late night concert with The Roots and surprise guests including T.I who joined the stage to perform “Whatever You Like” and “Bring Em Out,” and Marsha Ambrosia who made an appearance along with Common who performed “The Light.” The Roots brought the crowd to their feet with a cover of “Hotline Bling,” and a moving tribute to Prince, playing a number of his favorites including “Kiss.”
BET EXPERIENCE: CELEBRITY BASKETBALL GAME
The highly anticipated Celebrity Basketball Game brought out a roster of celebs including Snoop Dogg, Nick Cannon, Floyd Mayweather, Omarion, Wale, The Game and many more who competed with each other to take home the winning trophy. Beyoncé’s rising music duo Chloe x Halle opened the game with a striking rendition of the national anthem while Yo Gotti gave an energetic half time performance.
BET EXPEREINCE: GENIUS TALKS
AT&T presented Genius Talks with an exciting slate of conversations from DJ Khaled, Gabrielle Union, Snoop Dogg, Birdman, Jermaine Dupri and more. Gabrielle Union spoke in a very honest conversation about the need for strong black female leads in Hollywood and the challenges women of color face, while DJ Khaled shared his keys to genius.
