Masters Of Ceremony: A History of BET Awards Hosts
While the performers and celebrity moments from the annual BET Awards make the night one to remember, we can't forget that the hosts also play a key role in bringing the show to life.
Throughout the years, some of the most iconic names in comedy and film have taken to the stage to emcee the biggest night in Black entertainment and provide some of the most unforgettable moments in awards show history. From Mo'Nique's two-time tribute to Queen Bey to Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson's acrobatic opening, let's take a walk down memory lane.
Steve Harvey and Cedric the Entertainer (2001 and 2002)
Dynamic duo Steve Harvey and Cedric the Entertainer kicked things off with their seamless chemistry in 2001. When these two kings of comedy get together, it's only expected that hilarity ensues. So when Harvey told a bit about Shad Moss — then Lil' Bow Wow — telling him about his credit card, the laughs only got harder. "What the hell do you buy with a credit card when you 14?" he asked, to which Cedric responded, "Skittles. A big bag of Skittles."
Mo'Nique (2003, 2004, and 2007)
The Oscar-winning actress and comedian holds the record for most times hosting, and each one was memorable. Her most talked-about moment at the helm, though, was her stunning first tribute to Beyoncé in 2004. She made her love for Queen Bey known again in 2007, opening with a musical number to her hit single "Déjà vu."
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith (2005)
One of Black Hollywood's Holy Trinity of iconic Black love — alongside the Obamas and the Carters, of course — Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will Smith took over hosting duties in 2005. Given their track record of working so well together, it was honestly a match made in heaven. In fact, the Girls Trip star delivered a hilarious quote that folks still remember to this day, during their set: "Do not thank God if you can't show or perform your work in church!"
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Damon Wayans (2006)
...And the list of legendary comedians continues. Proving that only the best of the best are chosen to emcee the show, In Living Color leading man Damon Wayans took over the reins in 2006. Delivering one of the most hilarious sets to date, the actor gave one memorable tidbit that rings true to this day: "Only Black people can take a negative attribute and embrace that as a cool nickname. 'I want to give a shout out to my boy, Ringworm. We holding up circle for you, dawg!'"
D.L. Hughley (2008)
D.L. Hughley, another king of comedy, brought his signature politically charged humor to the stage in 2008. Candidly sharing his thoughts on David Patterson and the controversies of past New York City politicians, the comic definitely wasn't afraid to push the envelope.
Jamie Foxx (2009 and 2018)
Jamie Foxx is another host who has emceed the show more than once. His first foray in 2009 saw him issue a stern-but-lighthearted warning to all of the celebrities present: "Nobody is safe!" Nine years later, the Oscar-winning actor returned to the stage to hold it down one more time and the same rules applied.
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Queen Latifah (2010)
2010 was another iconic year within the BET Awards timeline — Chris Brown delivered his now iconic and highly emotional Michael Jackson tribute, Prince accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Diddy brought the house down with his performance with his former group Diddy-Dirty Money. Living up to the amp of the night was host Queen Latifah, who, in addition to keeping the show flowing seamlessly, gave us a rundown of some of her most iconic looks and roles. Everybody say, "U.N.I.T.Y!"
Kevin Hart (2011)
Kevin Hart hosted the show for the first time in 2011, just ahead of the worldwide premiere of his popular film Think Like A Man. Still in the earlier stages of his superstardom at the time, the comedian had the crowd rolling with laughter throughout the night. Are we surprised, though?
Samuel L. Jackson (2012)
Hollywood legend Samuel L. Jackson made the 2012 BET Awards one to remember for a number of reasons. However, it was his promotional clip for the show rapping along to Nicki Minaj's "Beez In the Trap" — pink wig included — that many are yet to forget and probably never will.
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Chris Tucker (2013)
After being away from the spotlight for a few years, Chris Tucker re-emerged to host the BET Awards for the first time in 2013. Though he captured the audience's attention from the get-go with his light roasting of the audience, it was his pretty impressive rendition of Michael Jackson's "Human Nature," during the show, that had the audience singing along in awe of his vocal talent and laughing with his spot-on impression of the late icon.
Chris Rock (2014)
It goes without saying that Chris Rock has no filter when it comes to his comedic aesthetic and that was definitely the theme for his time hosting the show in 2014. After greeting the crowd by saying, "Welcome to the 2014 BET Awards — the Black World Cup," he took no prisoners when highlighting the top moments of the year. "Unapologetic" is the best word to describe his set.
Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson (2015 and 2016)
Black-ish co-stars Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson did something no other hosting pair has done in BET Awards history: they've emceed the event two years in a row. After delivering majorly in 2015, the on-screen couple returned the following year, making their performance even grander than the previous. From acrobatic numbers to live on-stage theater performances — yep, Shakespeare with a hip-hop twist — these two DELIVERED, and then some.
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Leslie Jones (2017)
Leslie Jones' energy is so infectious that one can't help but to fall in love with her. This was proven during the SNL star's first time hosting the event in 2017. After demanding to the audience upon her arrival on stage, "I want joy in this house," she went on to keep the energy at 100 throughout the night. It was her story detailing the advice Jamie Foxx gave her before her big break that proved to be most memorable. "[He told me] to be a good stand up, you need to live," she said. "That talk put me on the path to where I am now."
Regina Hall (2019)
Veteran actress Regina Hall is set to host this year's show, and we have a pretty strong feeling that she's going to add to the long list of memories each emcee has brought, over the years.
The 2019 BET Awards airs on Sunday, June 23, at 8:00 p.m. on BET.
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