Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty.

The 2016 BET Awards far exceeded anyone’s expectations.

Photo: Tumblr
Photo: Tumblr

We live in a rather cynical age where it seems as though everyone flocks to Twitter just to see which programming will fall flat on its face. With the stakes high and a space full of opportunity following the Billboard Awards lackluster tribute performance to Prince, the creative muscle behind Sunday night’s BET awards promised to deliver the true honor the “Purple One” deserved.

In cased you missed the show, or didn’t watch with Black Twitter, here’s a rundown of the night’s big moments Sunday at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

The big buzz every year; will she or won’t she? Beyoncé that is. After the big hype in 2014, promising a Bey performance which was nothing more than a clip of Partition from her tour, skeptics were certain she’d never step down from her throne to ever grace the BET Awards stage again.

Lies.

beyonce god
Photo: tumblr

She showed up for Sunday service and brought deacon Kendrick Lamar. We went to church with their mezmerizing show opener to “Freedom”.

BET’s social media had this one loaded in the chamber ready to fire.

Samuel L. Jackson was impressed, too.

Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson returned as hosts with a refreshingly funny Hamilton parody as their opening sequence.

But Anthony A. brought the wrong “Hamilton”.

Dave Chappelle came through to honor his longtime friend and kickoff the tributes.

First up: The Roots, Erykah Badu and Bilal.

So good, everyone was on the edge of their seats.

The night wouldn’t be complete without a tribute to the late, great Muhammad Ali with the help of Jamie Foxx and his stunningly beautiful daughter, Laila.

Can we discuss?

No one in the audience quite knew what was going on.

Alicia Keys performed.

Now back to the Prince tributes.

J-Hud had us like…

girl crying gif
Photo: Tumblr

The Humanitarian Award. Can we pause for the greatness that is Jesse Williams and his acceptance speech?

When everyone found out Fat Joe, Remy Ma and French Montana’s real names.

And Samuel L. Jackson solidified his OG status with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Janelle Monae really tapped into the spirit of her idol, with a showstopping medley of his greats.

But not to be outdone by the host.

Meanwhile Mother Taraji brought the slayage and politics.

It was only right Sheila E. give everyone a lesson in musicianship 101 closing out the show.

Here’s a list of the night’s big winners.

Video of the Year — Beyonce, “Formation”

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist — Bryson Tiller

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist — Beyonce

Best Male Hip Hop Artist — Drake

Best Female Hip Hop Artist — Nicki Minaj

Best New Artist — Bryson Tiller

Best Group — Drake and Future

Best Collaboration — Rihanna featuring Drake, “Work”

Best Gospel — Kirk Franklin

Youngstars Award — Amandla Stenberg

Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice — Beyonce

Centric Award — Beyonce, “Formation”

Video Director of the Year — Director X

Best Actor — Michael B. Jordan

Best Actress — Taraji P. Henson

Best Movie — “Straight Outta Compton”

Sportswoman of the Year — Serena Williams

Sportsman of the Year — Stephen Curry

Humanitarian Award — Jesse Williams

Lifetime Achievement — Samuel L. Jackson

Best International Act, U.K. — Skepta

Best International Act, Africa — Wizkid (Nigeria)

Now that was a show. Thanks, BET.

Photo: giphy

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