BET Awards 2017: 15 Best, Worst and WTF Moments

BET Awards 2017: 15 Best, Worst and WTF Moments

Oh, what a protracted night. The 2017 wager Awards, broadcast stay on wager from the Microsoft Theater in la Sunday night time and hosted by way of a forever sport Leslie Jones, clocked in at a full 4 hours – and not all of those heavily produced, big name-studded seconds, minutes and hours flew through. happily, the inspired, target market-permitted performances (Migos, Khalid, Bruno Mars, a reunited Xscape) and acceptance speeches (chance the Rapper, Solange) handed the thudding, disappointing moments (we are looking at you, new edition and Trey Songz). in general, even though, it was a reminder of the impossibly high bar set by using ultimate year's show, defined via jaw-losing tributes to the currently departed Prince and a damn historical flip by means of a wet-and-wild Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar ("Freedom"). here, a recap of the extremely good-sized nighttime's highlights and coffee points.

excellent: Bruno Mars and Posse Have the movements

Mars kicked off the night time with his trademark zest: his overall performance of "Perm" became full of funk, humor, sharply coordinated motion, and repeated exhortations to bounce. He took the stage flanked via his band, and throughout the song, they moved as one unit, blending the slick choreography of organizations like the Time with the brassy blasts of the extraordinary Seventies groove bands. Mars' bassist was mainly bold, reeling off fleet, muscular riffs that drove the group's facet-to-side forays. -thirds of the way via "Perm," Mars delivered his band to a surprising prevent so he should lightly chide the left aspect of the theater for lackluster target audience engagement. as though to show how a good deal viewers could accomplish from an auditorium chair, Mars and his musicians then sat backtrack on the beat and persevered to bounce while seated. pretty amazing  –EL  

excellent: solid of 'Detroit' and Solange Knowles inspire

This 12 months's guess Awards might not have been as self-consciously political as last 12 months's incendiary and provoking call-to-arms. but, it had its moments, mainly when four actors from Kathryn Bigelow's impending Detroit film – Laz Alonso, Algee Smith, Jacob Latimore, and Jason Mitchell – presented the Centric Award to Solange Knowles. "Our generation has strength," said Mitchell earlier than he and the others paid tribute to black americans slain by means of regulation enforcement, including Philando Castile, Eric Garner, Sandra Bland (who died whilst in police custody beneath mysterious occasions), Alton Sterling, Freddie gray, Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin. In mild of remaining week's current now not guilty verdict for the officer who killed Castile, their homage felt well timed. As she ordinary her award, Solange thanked guess for its aid of beyond and present "queens" including Lauryn Hill, Queen Latifah, and Lil Kim, and "displaying me those pix and letting me understand that the sky is the restrict." -MR

first-rate: Migos Get each person on Their ft

After a low-key-verging-on-soporific rendition of "Congratulations" by means of publish Malone, Migos put the show again heading in the right direction by way of slashing through their hits "T-shirt" and "bad and Boujee." Defying the summer climate outdoor, the trio donned oversized, feather-stuffed wintry weather coats and rapped "T-blouse" in an arctic set piece; female dancers stood behind them, emotionless and unmoving, as though they had been ice sculptures. In evaluation, Quavo, Offset and Takeoff's rapping become without delay pliant, declarative and fiercely melodic. The celeb-packed crowd replied in kind: those songs have become anthems almost the instantaneous they came out, and all and sundry in attendance shouted alongside and danced excitedly – at some stage in "horrific and Boujee," Queen Latifah turned into noticed rapping the hook. other than losing iciness jackets among songs, Migos didn't pass in for onstage theatrics; they have been comfortable in the charisma of their singles. –EL

WORST: Trey Songz Throws around his 'Banana'

Trey Songz has been one of R&B's maximum constantly appealing stars for over a decade. but currently, Mr. thieve-Yo-girl has been stuck on a downward trend, a streak underlined by his strangely off-setting bet Awards medley of "no one Else however You" and "Monster." carrying a gauche black fur, he surrounded himself with plumes of smoke device mist and scantily-clad dancers whilst he bragged that "I be throwing this banana all around." Worse, his voice sounded pitch-y and flat – bizarre considering that Trey built his popularity on his deftly emotional singing. was it changed into badly sexist or genuinely bad raunch? either way, it turned into a very tone deaf overall performance. –MR

nice: massive Sean maintains It easy

huge Sean's three-music medley of tracks from his 2017 album I determined wasn't flashy or excessive-concept, however it became effective. He finished the boastful "Sacrifices" on a low-lit level, then segued into the low-key, excessive-intensity "moves," throughout which the fashionable virtual consequences backing him up hammered home that music's message of big Sean shaking up the world; a phalanx of dancers joined him for "bounce back," echoing his each soar at the same time as letting his rapidfire transport take center degree. massive Sean's selection to scale back his staging and allow his tune do the speaking made for one of the night's greater effective showcases. –MJ

WORST: Mary J. Blige Underwhelms

Mary J. Blige's power of a female is a fiery breakup album complete of broadsides against a not-worth-it ex. Her show off of it on Sunday fell surprisingly flat, with Blige's normally powerful voice faltering at essential emotional factors on the searing over-it ballad "Set Me free" and her A$AP Rocky-assisted version of the album opener "Love yourself" (the Harlem MC appears at the song's remix) having a hollowness that could not be salvaged by the skronking brass section. energy includes some of 2017's handiest R&B catharsis, but Sunday night's overall performance failed to suit the very best factors presented by using its vitriolic grooves. –MJ

exceptional: Khalid lighting fixtures Up BETX level

whilst compared to a number of the large units that defined this year's awards, Khalid's modestly pleasant rendition of his "area" hit stood out. Consigned to the smallish BETX stage for growing artists, he sang in a clean and expressive voice along a crackling band clothed in high college letter jackets, and crafted an oasis of unassuming yet charming pop-inflected R&B amidst the display;s histrionics. With performances like this, Khalid may not be stuck to "newcomer" status for long. –MR

nice: Kendrick Lamar Takes "masks Off"

while Kendrick Lamar made a wonder look and stored future's commonly lackluster performance of "mask Off (Remix)" with a flurry of knotted verses, it marked the second yr in a row that he has performed quietly fantastic yeoman's work. (last year, he and Beyoncé dazzled with their stellar, rain-soaked rendition of "Freedom.") give him credit score: whilst Kanye West couldn't be stricken to show up and assist Mary J. Blige on their "Love your self" duet (A$AP Rocky lent his remix verse as a substitute), Kendrick remains the humblest of superstars, geared up to guide his fellow artists, and thieve a chunk of the spotlight in the manner. –MR

nice: Xscape Takes It lower back

Reunions at award indicates are typically a bit hokey, but there has been magic in each vocal run uttered with the aid of the long-separated Nineties R&B vocal institution Xscape. appearing a trio of their largest hits – "information," "Who am i able to Run To" and "just Kickin' It" – every lady had a second to polish and display up their unfaltering, nonetheless awe-inspiring vocal tiers. The reunion couldn't have come at a better time, given the solo hobbies of the girl institution, in particular the fact tv success visible through songwriter best Kandi Burruss (real Housewives of Atlanta) and Tameka "Tiny" Cottle (T.I. and Tiny: The circle of relatives Hustle). –BS

satisfactory: Tamar Braxton Is an excellent Drama Queen

Tamar Braxton's new unmarried "My man" draws on a protracted line of fraught, theatrical soul ballads. at the bet Awards, Braxton wore a glittery black dress and stood on a black dais in front of a dark backdrop suffering from stars; the minimum set-up centered all eyes at the singer at middle level. Her band heaved and crashed through the predictable swells of "My man," and Braxton in the end took control of the overall performance with a series of nicely-honed, exceptionally dramatic gestures. First, she hurled her microphone stand at the back of her and took some practical steps forward. Then she rocketed right into a clean, polished high be aware. ultimately, as "My guy" came to a histrionic near, Braxton squirmed and writhed, nodding her head with such vigor that her blond hair have become a livid, kinetic blur. There had been dancers shifting round Braxton onstage, but way to the pressure of her stagecraft, they were speedy forgotten. –EL

WORST: Chuck Berry gets quick Shrift

last 12 months's bet Awards used a sequence of tributes to Prince as its tentpoles, a smart positioning move that also resulted in some of the night's most wondrous, cathartic performances. This 12 months's "In Memoriam" phase became constrained to a single phase, which intended that at the same time as major artists like Mobb Deep spitter Prodigy and dad-jazz crooner Al Jarreau best got a mention from presenter Tyrese Gibson, rock legend Chuck Berry became simply honored with Roman GianArthur's quick (but spunky) version of "Johnny B. Goode." (the other artist to get a musical tribute became George Michael, whose Wham! smash "Careless Whisper" got remade by using saxophonist Kamasi Washington and soul smoothie/fellow Nineteen Eighties icon El DeBarge.) whilst Berry's many years-spanning legacy doesn't without delay appear as of the moment as Prince's, a stronger and lengthier tribute ought to have connected his fiery power and budget friendly songwriting to current movements in hip-hop and R&B – and shown that he changed into extra than "Johnny." –MJ

WORST: Technical Snafus Kill the Vibe

Technical difficulties hampered the evening too typically. The trip-americabegan with the onstage conveyor belt: it was purported to supply stars to the microphone to give awards in fashion, however as an alternative it changed into a frequent, comical source of problem, leaving numerous presenters (along with Remy Ma, Jamie Foxx and Cardi B) suffering to preserve their balance. The foul-united states of americaregarded to growth in frequency because the rite wore on. After new edition regularly occurring their Lifetime fulfillment Award, there has been a lengthy, awkward silence while they modified into all-white suits to perform a success medley. after which got here a harsh one-two punch: the voiceover creation for Insecure star Issa Rae welcomed the wrong presenters, forcing host Leslie Jones to intrude, and seconds later, the microphone failed as SZA began her performance. Jones got here to the rescue once more, contributing a short stand-up set – "technique guy, allow's cross hotbox the Ritz!" – to present the display's manufacturers cover whilst they fixed the audio and begin over. To SZA's credit score, she became unruffled by the snafus, and whilst she resumed performing with a working sound-system, she brought good-looking renditions of each "Love Galore" and "The Weekend." –EL

WORST: new edition Makes a warm Mess

It need to were the grand finale of the bet Awards: the a whole lot-anticipated reunion of recent edition for a much-deserved Lifetime fulfillment Award. as a substitute, we had been first dealt with to the bizarre spectacle of Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Mike, Ralph and Johnny searching on from the target audience even as their The new version tale impersonators soldiered via a prolonged karaoke consultation. sure, the significantly acclaimed and highly rated biopic became a whole lot of a laugh, however its leads have been actors, no longer singers, and their dance actions and stage bravado couldn't masks a dearth of musical ability. (The underrated R&B singer Luke James is a splendid exception, and his stimulated cowl of Johnny Gill's "My, My, My" brought the target market to its ft.) After the real, time-worn new version universal their awards with some lengthy speeches, the level cleared for a completely awkward couple of minutes of dead time. while the curtain in the end rose, it changed into the actual deal. Bobby Brown, who has little of his voice left, croaked via "Mr. phone man," then ceded the level to the others as they crooned "can you Stand the Rain." eventually, the actors and the organization joined together for a chaotic revival of "If This is not Love." It turned into a hot mess, even though the audience failed to seem to thoughts. –MR    

WORST: actually Shameless Plugging

At numerous factors, the night's momentum became drained by means of prolonged clips from films which have already been promoted relentlessly for months. First got here P. Diddy to plug his terrible Boy documentary can not stop might not forestall, a movie which premiered in April on the Tribeca movie festival, wherein Diddy and other contributors of the horrific Boy own family celebrated the film with a celebrity-studded concert. This promotion wasn't even a first for an awards show – Diddy had already used the Billboard tune Awards as a platform to plug the film and air its trailer remaining month. Later in the nighttime, Jamie Foxx sidetracked the proceedings with a clip from toddler driving force, that's jockeying for function within the summer season blockbuster race. This became redundant and unnecessary, though his warfare with the teleprompter changed into one of the night time's most a laugh moments. in the end, as the night was coming to a near (four hours in), Irv Gotti and a solid of actors showed a tedious, overly frothy preview for tales, an upcoming bet display that he is govt-generating. these prolonged trailers took the highlight away from the art and the artists – which the rite is supposed to be celebrating

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BEST: Leslie Jones continues things moving

In her first awards-display hosting gig, Saturday night time live breakout big name Leslie Jones become apparently sport for something – time-warping in order that she ought to surprise the '90s model of herself with the information that she became on "the white people In living coloration," flaunting her wrestling-prompted court docket style in an advert for her basketball delusion camp, asking international-beating beatmaker DJ Khaled and R&B up-and-comer Khalid to make clear the variations among their names, evaluating her down-there grooming fashion with Amber Rose's. It wasn't flawless, but her high-electricity, excessive-volume overall performance stored the laughs coming and the display shifting. mmercial.  –EL