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Strong Open - Toni Braxton, the first lady of LaFace, opened the 2016 BET Honors with a slew of hits to get the crowd on their feet. (Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Lean With It - Toni and her sisters hit their routine and killed the stage with moves like this one.(Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET

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The Host With the Most - Arsenio Hall got the night started looking sharp and working the room. (Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET

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Command the Stage - There's no better person to kick off and lead an extraordinary evening. (Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET

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Electric Lady - The one and only electric Janelle Monáe was in the house to honor her dear friend Mellody Hobson.  (Photo:  Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo:  Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET

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Black Girls Rock - Greatness presenting greatness is always a win, especially when Black women are shown supporting and loving each other. (Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Simply Beautiful - Honoree Mellody Hobson thanked all of her inspirations, including her husband George Lucas, whom she said motivates her daily by saying, "Do or do not, there is no try."(Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)"

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Feeling It - Actor and singer Jussie Smollett sang his heart out in honor of his friend and honoree Lee Daniels. (Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET

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Man in the Mirror - Bringing a message of love and forward movement, Jussie's performance touched everyone in the room.(Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)"

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His All - And we're sure that Jussie made Lee Daniels proud! (Photo: Paras Griffin/BET/Getty Images for BET) 

Photo By Photo: Paras Griffin/BET/Getty Images for BET

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To a Friend - Gabourey Sidibe and Terrence Howard present Lee Daniels with his award, explaining who he is to them and why his storytelling matters. (Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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The Road Has Been Paved - Honoree Lee Daniels accepts his award and shared his journey to the top and why his grandmother is one of his No. 1 inspirations. (Photo: Paras Griffin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Paras Griffin/BET/Getty Images for BET

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Wild Boy - Mack Wilds took the stage to recognize this year's BET Digital Next in Class winners in the areas of education, S.T.E.M, entertainment, music, social justice and fashion. (Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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A Tribute to Remember - Ledisi took the stage like a queen and honored the late, great Natalie Cole with a medley of some of the singer's most appreciated songs. (Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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R&B's Finest - In case you forgot about how extensive Usher's career has been, he ran through some of his discography reminding us that his voice and presence is still untouchable. (Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET) 

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To His Friend - One of the first people to believe in Usher's talent as a superstar was L.A. Reid, so there was no person more appropriate to present the music mogul with his award for the evening. (Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET) 

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Gracious - Remembering who is he and where he started, L.A. Reid took the stage to accept his award with humility oozing from his speech.(Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Make the Ladies Melt - Music legend Eddie Levert took the 2016 BET Honors stage and proved that he's still got it. (Photo:  Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo:  Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET

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The Champ  - After standing up for everything that she believes in, professor and journalist Melissa Harris-Perry schooled everyone on the importance of honoree Eric Holder's place in the realm of public service.(Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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The First - Honoree Eric Holder was the first of many things throughout his career. And for that, we salute him.  (Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Selfless - During his acceptance speech, Mr. Holder spoke of his call to public service and when he first realized that he found his passion. (Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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The Beginning - Before L.A. Reid and Babyface became household names, they were part of The Deele, so they took a trip down memory lane with their early hits. (Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Reunited and Feeling Good - It wouldn't be a reunion unless The Deele performed "Two Occassions" to take people waaaayyyyyy back.(Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET

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Musician to Mogul - Fun fact: L.A. Reid was the drummer for The Deele and showed off onstage during the band's reunion. (Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET

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Come Through, Fantasia! - The only way to do a tribute is to do it right, so Fantasia took the stage to pay homage to the amazing Patti LaBelle.(Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Go Off! - She asked if she could take us to church and she delivered. (Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET

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Code Red - Monica, one of R&B's leading ladies, took the stage to present Patti LaBelle with a heart full of gratitude. (Photo: Paras Griffin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Musical Queen - Honoree Patti LaBelle looked regal as she accepted her award for all of her accomplishments in music. (Photo: Paras Griffin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Paras Griffin/BET/Getty Images for BET

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Truly Thankful - Ms. LaBelle is a blueprint on how to reinvent yourself and remain on top of your game and inspires the world of soul singers. (Photo: Paras Griffin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Paras Griffin/BET/Getty Images for BET

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Let the Groove In - Jonathan Hobson of Duke Ellington High School paid tribute to the late Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire with a kalimba solo. (Photo: Paras Griffin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Bring the Love - Vocalist and songwriter Raheem DeVaughn sings "Shining Star" with the Destiny Rode Choir in remembrance of Maurice White.(Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)  

Photo By Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET

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Dance the Night Away - It's March, but Jazmine Sullivan brought "September" to the audience. (Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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The Honorees! - Here's a final look at the 2016 BET Honors celebrants, Lee Daniels, Patti LaBelle, L.A. Reid, Mellody Hobson and Eric Holder, with the evening's host, Arsenio Hall, and the Chairman and CEO of BET Networks, Debra L. Lee.  (Photo: Paras Griffin/BET/Getty Images for BET)