Megan Thee Stallion was the big winner at the BET (Black Entertainment Television) Awards in the US - on a night when her WAP collaborator Cardi B revealed during a show-stealing performance that she is expecting her second child.
The annual ceremony - which celebrates the achievements of Black performers across entertainment and sport - returned for an in-person event in Los Angeles following last year's virtual affair.
Actress Taraji P Henson was on hosting duties at the Microsoft Theatre, which welcomed an audience of fully vaccinated fans.
On a night organisers said would celebrate Black women, Megan Thee Stallion won Best Female Hip Hop Artist, the Viewer's Choice Award for her remix of Savage featuring Beyoncé and shared Video of the Year and Best Collaboration with Cardi B for WAP.
As well as winning a prize, Cardi B stunned fans by announcing she is expecting her second child while on stage with husband Offset and his rap group Migos.
While accepting the award for Best Female Hip Hop Artist, Grammy winner Megan Thee Stallion became emotional and thanked her mother Holly Thomas, who died in March 2019 from a brain tumour.
R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan won Album of the Year for Heaux Tales and took to the stage with her mother, who had been diagnosed with cancer but is now in remission.
Jazmine Sullivan with Album of the Year for the record "Heaux Tales" at the BET Awards 2021.#CulturesBiggestNight #BETAwardshttps://t.co/xXIAQo0mJ0
— #BETAwards (@BETAwards) June 28, 2021
Singer Giveon was named Best New Artist; Lil Baby Best Male Hip Hop Artist and Silk Sonic, the R&B duo composed of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, won Best Group.
The United States vs. Billie Holiday star Andra Day won Best Actress. Chadwick Boseman was posthumously honoured with the Best Actor award.
SZA took home the BET Her Award for hit single Good Days.
Lil Nas X - who arrived at the ceremony in typically flamboyant fashion by wearing a blue and white dress - received a standing ovation for his performance of Montero (Call Me by Your Name).
The superstar rapper, 22, took to the ancient Egyptian-themed stage while dressed in a pharaoh-inspired outfit.
Award-winning rapper and actress Queen Latifah fought back tears as she was honoured with BET's Lifetime Achievement Award.
The star, a pioneering figure in hip hop, watched on as a video of her career highlights - including Emmy, Golden Globe and Grammy wins, as well as an Oscar nomination - was played.
Stood next to her father on stage and carrying a picture of her late mother, Queen Latifah, 51, praised the impact of Black Entertainment Television and said: "Be Black. Black is beautiful. I've always celebrated the woman because I was raised by a strong Black woman and raised by a father who loves women.
"We can't live without each other. I wanted to celebrate us because I know together we stand stronger than when we tear each other apart, and I've seen enough of that."
Producer Swizz Beatz curated a performance to honour the late rapper DMX, who died in April aged 50.
RIP TO THE REALEST! Rest easy X! 🙏🏾🙏🏾 #BETAwards #CulturesBiggestNight pic.twitter.com/wmvLO7q9sJ
— #BETAwards (@BETAwards) June 28, 2021
The tribute featured performances of his songs by Busta Rhymes, Method Man and Griselda.
The BET winners:
Best Actress - Andra Day
Best Actor - Chadwick Boseman
YoungStars Award - Marsai Martin
Best Group - Silk Sonic
Best New Artist - Giveon
Best Female R&B and Pop Artist - H.E.R.
Video of the Year - Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion (WAP)
Video Director of the Year - Bruno Mars and Florent Déchard
Best Female Hip Hop Artist - Megan Thee Stallion
BET Her Award - SZA (Good Days)
Album of the Year - Jazmine Sullivan (Heaux Tales)
Best Male Hip Hop Artist - Lil Baby
Best International Act - Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Best New International Act - Bree Runway (UK)
Viewer's Choice Award - Megan Thee Stallion and Beyoncé (Savage (Remix))
Best Collaboration - Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion (WAP)
Best Movie - Judas and the Black Messiah
Dr Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award - Kirk Franklin (Strong God)
Lifetime Achievement Award - Queen Latifah
Best Male R&B and Pop Artist - Chris Brown
Sportswoman of the Year - Naomi Osaka
Sportsman of the Year - LeBron James
Source: Press Association
