Hold up, wait a minute! Live from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Bruno Mars opened the 2017 BET Awards with an electrifying performance of “Perm.”
His thrilling opening number blended the 24K Magic standout with Big Boi’s “The Way You Move” instrumental, adding a splash of razzle-dazzle to the mix.
The star-studded event which celebrated achievements in music, entertainment, sports, television, and movies was hosted by Leslie Jones of Saturday Night Live.
Joined by the Hooligans, a Cortez-rocking Mars played the role of a maestro. He directed the star-studded crowd, in between stellar dance moves and breakdowns. Chance the Rapper and Tamar Braxton were all smiles as they looked on from their seats.
At one point, Mars charismatically stopped his set and joked with the crowd, who was filming on their phones. “You can’t film and dance at the same time,” he said. “You know they’re filming it, right? You can watch it at home.”
Bruno is up for five BET Awards this evening, including Album of the Year, Best Male R&B Pop Artist, Video of the Year, Video Director of the Year, and Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award.
The big night saw performances by some of America’s fan favorite like Chris Brown, Bruno Mars, Big Sean and others.
Beyonce emerged the biggest winner of the night, taking home the awards for “Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award”, “Best Female R&B/Pop Artist”, “Video of the Year” and “Album of the Year” respectively.
Rave of the moment, Chance the Rapper, took home the highly coveted “Best New Artist” and “Humanitarian Award”.
Nigerian music export, Wizkid, made the Nigerian music industry proud as he took home the “Best International Act: Africa” at the 2017 BET Awards announced at the pre-BET Awards held on Saturday.
Full list of winners:
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Remy Ma
Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
Beyoncé — “Sorry”
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
Kendrick Lamar
Youngstars Award
Yara Shahidi
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Bruno Mars
Best New Artist
Chance the Rapper
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
Lecrae
Centric Award
Solange — “Cranes in the Sky”
Best Group
Migos
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
Best Collaboration
Chris Brown Ft. Gucci Mane & Usher — “Party”
Video of the Year
Beyoncé — “Sorry” Bruno Mars — “24k Magic”
Video Director of the Year
Kahlil Joseph & Beyoncé Knowles-Carter — “Sorry”
Album of the Year
Lemonade — Beyoncé
Best Actress
Taraji P. Henson
Best Actor
Mahershala Ali
Best Movie
“Hidden Figures”
Sportswoman of the Year Award
Serena Williams
Sportsman of the Year Award
Stephen Curry
Best International Act: Europe
Stormzy
Best International Act: Africa
Wizkid
Humanitarian Award
Chance the Rapper
Lifetime Achievement Award
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