I watched the 2023 BET Awards. I kind Of Liked It!

The 2023 BET Awards. Admittedly I hadn’t watched a BET Awards ceremony in probably 4 years. Ever since I cut the cord I couldn’t watch the awards ceremony. But more importantly, there just has been a need to since BET really hasn’t been BET in a while. But this ceremony was different. This was the first BET awards since the announcement of Tyler Perry being the new owner of BET and now the network was back to being black owned. This hasn’t been the case in 20 years!! Black Entertainment Television being owned by another race seems really political if you ask me. But we not here for that discussion. We’re here to celebrate BET being back!! And with that a few people also being allowed back. I jotted down a few notes from the 2023 BET Awards below: 

1. The night taught us. Don’t get in the middle of family business. Offset and Quavo performed their ironic song “Bad and Boujee” in honor of their fallen family member Takeoff. Who knows if everything is good between Quavo and Offset. But one thing is for sure. That’s the family’s business.
   
   
2. Another thing the BET Awards taught us is. Just because someone is allowed back in the building, it doesn’t mean they should also perform. Case in point Chief Keef, who has been banned from the BET Awards since 2013 for allegedly not showing up for a 106 & Park episode where he was also set to perform. But what about his performance now that he’s back. Chief Keef had the worst performance so lackadaisical. Even the people he brought on stage really didn’t bring any energy to the stage. And just had to think, somewhere Marcel Black is yelling at the screen saying, “real MCs don't rap over their lyrics”. This was the epitome of, just let the song play dog. It’s not worth seeing you perform.
   
   
3. Point 2 also goes for Ice Spice's solo performance as well she was rapping over her lyrics which meant that she could never sync up with the background vocals and it just seemed like she was out of breath and desperately trying to keep up with the vocal track. The performance reminds you of why we still need artist development. People pay good money to see artists perform and they deserve to see a good show. Plus, shows are where artists make most of their money. So why not deliver a great show that will drive demand?
   
   
4. A highlight of the show was the tributes to how hip-hop has evolved through these 50 years. From the old school New York originals like Dougie Fresh, to the 90s with Eric Sermon, to the West Coast with E-40, to the 2000s and the South with T.I., and Jeezy. To the now generation with Glorilla, Latto, etc.
   
   
5. We found out that Glorilla is not a natural dancer. Her movements seemed very timed like she was counting the steps in her head. Should she incorporate dancing into her show? I don’t think so because her bravado on the mic is enough, but she’s still a young entertainer, who knows what will happen in a year.
   
   
6. BET really capitalized on the fact that it was 50 years in hip-hop. This took a little away from the Gospel and the R&B music that the BET Awards always showed. I think this is a bad thing for them not to show more R&B acts especially with the BET Hip Hop Awards still to come later this year.
   
   
7. Lizzo was nominated multiple times in the same category on more than one occasion. It seemed like they really wanted to get Lizzo to come. But let’s be honest, Lizzo is too big of a name for the BET Awards.
   
   
8. The previous note applies once more. The big stars were never gonna be there, Drake, Beyonce, Lizzo, Jay-Z. They ain’t coming. I would rather see the people who actually show up to the award shows get the awards. Not for a participation trophy, but because this is a more accurate representation of what the crowd is listening to. And they will actually come.
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9. Memoriam was a special part of the BET Awards. Throughout the night DJ Kid Capri would spin songs from artists that we lost. Also, there was a break to reflect on people we had lost in 2022 that had contributed to black culture. The honored list included athletes, vocal artists, music exes, instrumentalists, and comedians. It was truly a moment of black excellence. 
   
   
10. One of the noticeable sponsors this year was Nissan. Our culture buys a lot of their Altima’s so it’s a smart move. Nissan also started its own contest called “Beats and Bars” which you can still enter to Win a chance to perform your hot 16 the night of the Hip Hop Awards! Nissan and BET are looking for aspiring artists to bless the mic and submit an original 16 bars. It’s dope that Nissan recognizes the culture, so sign up cause I don’t see Tesla or Ford doing any of this.
    
    
11. No artist is more deserving of the Lifetime Achievement Award than Busta Rhymes. He has always been the rapper’s rapper. Meaning you really have to be a student of the game to appreciate him as an artist. He’s not just a rapper. He’s an artist. And it was great to see him get his flowers on one of the biggest stages of hip-hop. I also liked how he took time out of his speech to talk to the young rappers and acknowledged that he liked them and that wanted to be one of the old heads to bridge the gap. And give them the game because the OGs in hip-hop gave him the game. He also showed that he’s willing to let the ladies shine by bringing out his female artists from Flipmode “Rah Digga” who performed about 8 bars. He also let Coi Leray perform her song "Players" which samples his song “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See”. He also prieved his new song with Bia called “Beach Ball”. He did mess up a little bit when spitting the lyrics, it was like missing the first dunk in a dunk contest, it’s just not as impressive the second attempt. They also played the get off the stage music for Busta Rhymes. But hey. It was his moment.
    
    
12. It was dope to see also that Caribbean music had a spotlight on it this year. All the pioneers and the new school got a chance to shine bright and perform on stage. Which is a smart move because it’s a genre that has been exploding.
    
    
13. Trina pregnant!!! Not yet confirmed but there were a lot of people speculating that the Badest Bitch is pregnant after looking at her performance with Trick Daddy. Who the daddy? 
    
    
14. Why was the BET Awards on Nickelodeon? I seen all the ass being thrown on that stage. Why was the award show on Nickelodeon? That’s a kids channel. I’m just sayin’ you could do better.
    
    
15. The healthy snacks and food beverages don't show commercials or sponsor anything during the BET Awards. All I saw was Doritos and Sprite. There’s gotta be some balance. 
    
    
16. It also dope to see that they had a dance segment. It was a full circle moment when Dougie Fresh came out and danced to “Teach Me How To Dougie”. Then also they paid homage to the B Boy's and Break Dancers who are still very much a key element of hip-hop. It’s seen when they brought Kid and Play to do their dance. Also all the dance songs of hip-hop like “Tootsee Roll”, “Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It”, “Crank That (Souljah Boy)”, “Walk It Out”, and Stanky Let”. 
    
    
17. Diddy must’ve called in a favor to get his son Christian on stage to do a bad impression of Diddy and spit his 4 bars on stage. Can stop. Should’ve stopped that performance.
    
    
18. A highlight was seeing Boosie in the crowd and back at the BET Awards. He looked like he lit. Having fun and their with his lawyers. He literally just got out of jail and came to the awards show. 
    
    
19. It was dope to see Sexxy Red turning up to her song during the commercial break of the BET Awards. She is probably literally living her dreams right now. Do ya thang Sexxy Red.
    
    
20. Female rappers stole the spotlight. It’s a reflection of where the genre is heading. Female rappers have dominated these last 2 years. It’s not more denying them. You can’t keep the gate closed and lock them out. The female rappers are HERE!!!!

So, there you have it. My notes from the BET Awards 2023. I gotta say all-in-all it was solid. Surprisingly solid. I was glad to see Busta Rhymes get his flowers. The female artists are really making noise and shows. So will I watch the 2024 BET Awards. Maybe? We’ll just have to see what music looks like 12 months from now. Who knows? We might be all listening to House Music. There are plenty YouTube videos you can catch a recap so I’ll save you. But if you have any comments about how you felt about the BET Awards. Let us know!