Get ready to witness the explosive culmination of five decades of hip-hop as the 23rd annual BET Awards takes center stage in Los Angeles. This year’s event, scheduled for Sunday, June 25, will be a grand celebration of the monumental cultural milestone: the 50th anniversary of hip-hop’s indelible impact on the music industry.
BET’s EVP of specials, music programming, and music strategy, Connie Orlando, expressed her excitement for the occasion, stating, “We are thrilled to be back in L.A. for BET Awards 2023 and to celebrate a huge cultural milestone — the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.” The awards show will honor the profound influence that hip-hop has had on American culture and its rise to become a global phenomenon and one of the most influential musical genres of our time. BET has always been at the forefront, providing a platform for hip-hop to thrive, and this year’s awards show aims to pay homage to the genre’s pioneers and innovators while amplifying the voices of the new generation of hip-hop artists, showcasing their undeniable talent and cultural contributions.
In a recent announcement, BET unveiled the list of nominees for this year’s event, spanning music, television, film, and sports categories, all celebrating abundant creative expression and Black excellence. Topping the list of nominees is none other than the iconic Drake, a longstanding force in the industry who has amassed an impressive 15 BET Awards throughout his career. The Canadian rapper, aged 36, secured a staggering seven nominations this year, including Best Male Hip-Hop Artist, Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, and Album of the Year, among others. Another trailblazing artist, Beyoncé, the record holder for the most BET Awards with 33 wins, received four additional nominations. The 41-year-old “Lemonade” songstress is vying for Album of the Year, Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Viewer’s Choice Award, and the BET Her Award.
Prepare to be blown away by the extraordinary lineup of performers who will take the stage, representing the best of hip-hop from every decade, style, and region. The first round of announcements includes renowned artists such as Fat Joe, Soulja Boy, The Sugarhill Gang, Tyga, Ying Yang Twins, and Yo-Yo, promising a wall-to-wall party filled with incredible energy and passion. Connie Orlando shared her excitement in a press release, stating, “We have an incredible lineup of performers who will take us on a musical journey, covering hip-hop spanning every decade, style, and region. This wall-to-wall party will reverberate with the amazing energy and passion these artists bring to the stage and the culture. Prepare for an unforgettable night of reunions and surprises as we celebrate hip-hop’s rich history, enduring legacy, and promising future.”
The BET Awards has consistently held the top spot as the number one cable awards show among adults aged 18 to 49 in both 2021 and 2022. Additionally, it has maintained its position as the leading cable awards show among Black adults aged 18 to 49 for an incredible 21 consecutive years.
For those eagerly anticipating this monumental event, mark your calendars for Sunday, June 25, and tune in to BET and BET.com starting at 8 p.m. ET. While the host of the awards show is yet to be revealed, Bow Wow has been announced as the main host of House of BET, a four-day celebration in L.A. from Thursday, June 22, to Sunday, coinciding with the BET Awards. Previous hosts have included the talented Taraji P. Henson in 2021 and 2022, as well as Amanda Seales in 2020.
In addition to the highly anticipated performances, the BET Awards will showcase an exceptional lineup of nominees. Alongside Drake, expect to see GloRilla (real name Gloria Hallelujah Woods), Lizzo, and 21 Savage competing for top honors. GloRilla, a rising star at just 23 years old, earned six nominations, while Lizzo, aged 35, and 21 Savage, aged 30, both received five well-deserved accolades.
The stage will be set ablaze on Sunday with electrifying performances not only from the nominees but also from notable artists like JaRule and more. The list of performers includes Chief Keef, DJ Unk, E-40, Fast Life Yungstaz & Easton (F.L.Y.), Fat Joe, Soulja Boy, The Sugarhill Gang, Tyga, Ying Yang Twins, and Yo-Yo, with more surprises in store, as announced by BET on June 15.
Get ready for a night that will go down in history as the BET Awards 2023 brings the heat, the talent, and the excitement, celebrating 50 years of hip-hop and the continued influence of the genre on our cultural landscape. This explosive event will leave audiences mesmerized and eagerly anticipating the future of hip-hop.
