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BET Awards ‘20: 7 Unforgettable Hip Hop Performances From the Vault

The 2020 BET Awards premiere virtually on June 28 at 8 PM EST.

Hip hop has always had a home at the BET Awards, even after the BET Hip Hop Awards were launched in 2006. The creativity, vibrancy, and soul of the world’s most popular music genre is a source of pride for the Black community.

Over the years,  some of the BET Awards’ biggest moments have come from hip hop. This year’s show will be a little different since it will premiere virtually June 28th at 8 pm EST but if the past is any indication, there will surely be several notable performances and speeches to take your mind off of quarantine life.

Take a trip down memory lane to check out some of the BET Awards’ best hip hop moments.

  1. Nipsey Hussle Tribute (2019)

    Just a few months after Nipsey Hussle was fatally shot outside of the clothing store he owned, YG, Marsha AmbrosiusJohn Legend, and DJ Khaled got together to pay tribute to the slain rapper and father on the BET Awards stage. Fans were treated to Nipsey spitting his own verse in the music video that was recorded not long before his untimely death.

  2. Snoop Medley (2018)

    Snoop Dogg was barely in his 20s when his debut album Doggy Style was released in 1993, but today, the rapper and sometimes gospel artist is an elder statesman in the game. He rolled out his extensive resume for a 2018 BET Awards performance that featured a medley of his biggest hits. 

  3. Kendrick Lamar “Alright” (2015)

    Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright,” from his Grammy-winning album To Pimp a Butterfly, is always sure to turn up the crowd and K-Dot amped it up even more with a dramatic, energetic performance in 2015. The man knows how to put on a show.

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  5. Bad Boy Medley (2015)

    Are you not entertained? When Diddy is in charge, it’s going to be a good time. Before the Bad Boy Records Reunion Tour hit the streets in 2016, Diddy brought all the legendary artists together for a head-spinning performance at the 2015 BET Awards. Ma$e, Lil Kimthe Lox112Faith Evans and more all came out for this special performance. Did you see Lil Kim’s entrance? Fire.

  6. The Fugees Reunion (2005)

    Speaking of reunions, The Fugees banded back together in 2005 for a surprise treat for fans. They rolled through a few of their big hits, including “Ready or Not.” Anytime you get to see Lauryn Hill perform, it’s a good thing.

  7. Kanye West and Yolanda Adams “Jesus Walks” (2004)

    Kanye West has always been known for his showmanship and he did not disappoint with his 2004 performance of “Jesus Walks.” Ye took everybody to church and he even brought along gospel superstar Yolanda Adams.

     

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  9. Oukast “So Fresh, So Clean” (2001)

    At the inaugural BET Awards Show in 2001, Outkast performed their smash hit “So Fresh, So Clean.” It was a fitting song because they really did clean up at that year’s show. They won Video of the Year for “Ms. Jackson” and they also won Best Male Group, beating out the likes of 112Boyz II Men, and Jagged Edge. What time to be alive!

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