BET Awards honor Busta Rhymes, hip-hop’s 50 years and pay tribute to legends like Takeoff, Turner

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The 2023 BET Awards commemorated the 50th anniversary of hip-hop by paying tribute to its early pioneers, legendary icons, and emerging talent. The star-studded show was filled with electrifying performances that created an atmosphere of non-stop celebration.

One of the biggest surprises of the night came when Quavo and Offset, the surviving members of Migos, took the stage to perform “Bad and Boujee” in front of a backdrop featuring the late Takeoff, who tragically passed away in a shooting incident the previous December. Paying homage to their fallen colleague, the duo shouted, “BET, do it for Take,” as the image switched from a space shuttle to Takeoff pointing towards the sky.

Throughout the event, iconic figures in hip-hop such as Tupac, Notorious B.I.G., Biz Markie, and Pop Smoke were honored through captivating performances and special appearances by emcee Kid Capri. The focus remained on the music rather than the awards, with brief showcases of the late stars’ most memorable hits.

Busta Rhymes received the night’s most prestigious accolade, the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to him by Swizz Beatz. Busta Rhymes, a highly acclaimed rapper, producer, and influential figure in hip-hop, with 12 Grammy nominations and seven Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits, delivered an emotional acceptance speech. Diddy, Janet Jackson, Chuck D, Missy Elliot, Pharrell Williams, and Mariah Carey expressed their admiration for Rhymes through a heartfelt video tribute.

Moved to tears, Rhymes began his speech by saying, “Alright, Imma wear it on my sleeve. I do wanna cry.” He shared personal stories of his journey, including his six children, being kicked out of his hip-hop group Leaders of the New School, and finding solace and inspiration in studios, where he would collaborate with fellow artists and create powerful verses on the spot. Rhymes recognized the unique magic within their culture that led to greatness.

Following his touching tribute, an energetic performance celebrated Rhymes’ illustrious career. He joined forces with Spliff Star to perform hits like “Ante Up Remix,” “Scenario,” “Look At Me Now,” and “I Know What You Want.” A parade of A-listers joined in, including Scar Lip with “This Is New York,” Coi Leray with “Players,” and BIA with “Beach Ball.” Halfway through the performance, Rhymes shifted gears to honor dancehall music alongside Dexta Daps, Spice, Skillibeng, and CuttyRanks.

The event showcased a seamless blend of old school hip-hop legends and modern stars who took the stage together, performing tracks that celebrated the influential cities and innovations within rap. Miami was represented by Trick Daddy and Trina with “Nann,” while Uncle Luke energized the crowd with “I Wanna Rock (Doo Doo Brown).” Atlanta’s presence was felt through Jeezy’s performance of “They Know” and T.I.’s rendition of “24’s,” while Master P delivered an unforgettable medley of “No Limit Soldiers” and “Make ‘Em Say Ugh.” The reggae influence on hip-hop was honored by Doug E. Fresh, Lil’ Vicious, Mad Lion, and PATRA.

Kid Capri provided a crash course on West Coast rap, featuring tracks like Warren G’s “Regulate,” Yo-Yo’s “You Can’t Play With My Yo-Yo,” Tyga’s “Rack City,” and E-40’s “Tell Me When To Go,” all accompanied by spins of Tupac’s “Hail Mary.” The trap genre received its own tribute, with Capri spinning Pop Smoke’s “Dior,” Chief Keef performing “Faneto,” and Ying Yang Twins delivering “Wait (The Whisper Song).”

The audience members enthusiastically danced and sang along, with a few even joining the performers on stage. Capri and MC Lyte skillfully kept the show moving, ensuring a mostly seamless experience. Despite a small hiccup during Patti LaBelle’s performance and the show’s nearly four-hour duration, the event was a testament to the organizers’ ability to navigate the ongoing Hollywood writers’ strike.

LaBelle paid tribute to Tina Turner by performing her hit song “The Best,” although she faced challenges reading the lyrics at one point. Nevertheless, she powered through and delivered a powerful rendition.

The show kicked off with a masked Lil Uzi Vert, followed by a brief history lesson led by Kid Capri. The audience was treated to a medley of ’80s rap culture from New York City, featuring The Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight,” MC LYTE’s “Cha Cha Cha,” D-NICE’s “Call ME D-Nice,” and Big Daddy Kane’s “Raw.” The performance concluded with a partial cover of “Just A Friend,” paying tribute to the late Biz Markie. Big Daddy Kane emphasized the impact of Biz Markie on his own career, inviting the audience to join in singing the song’s infectious chorus.

The highly coveted Best New Artist award was presented to Coco Jones, representing a category consisting solely of female performers. In her acceptance speech, she encouraged black girls to persevere and fight for what they deserve, even in challenging circumstances.

The show continued with a supermarket-themed performance of Latto’s “Put It On Da Floor Again,” chosen as AP’s club song of the summer. Although Cardi B was absent, the performance remained catchy and ended with a text tribute reading “RIP Shawty Lo.”

Video Director of the Year was awarded to Teyana “Spike Tey” Taylor, accepted on her behalf by her mother, Nikki Taylor. In a true matriarch fashion, Nikki interrupted the show to video call her daughter and allow her to share in the celebration.

Concluding his acceptance speech, Busta Rhymes called for unity within the hip-hop community, urging both veterans and newcomers to embrace one another and dispel the notion that they don’t support each other.

The BET Awards served as a vibrant reflection of the night, with performances by Ice Spice, Glorilla, and Kali representing the diversity and energy of hip-hop. In the audience, generations of influential figures in the genre expressed their support and appreciation for the art form.

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More about BET Awards

• BET Awards Official Website
• Busta Rhymes – Official Website
• Busta Rhymes – Wikipedia
• Migos – Official Website
• Takeoff – Wikipedia
• Tina Turner – Official Website
• BET Awards 2023 Recap – Billboard
• Coco Jones – Official Website
• Patti LaBelle – Official Website