The annual Black Entertainment Awards, or BET Awards as they are widely known, are meant to celebrate the best in African-American culture. Top artists in film, music, sports, and other industries are given kudos for their accomplishments. But what was meant to be an uplifting and enlightening event was turned into a a feast of lowbrow fare by a hand full of cultural agent provocateurs. Performances, from Nicki Minaj to Rick Ross, were censored due to foul language and obscenities, though several vulgarities were heard on air.
The night’s pageant of crudeness began during the opening number by West’s G.O.O.D. music group, which included Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz. There were long moments of censored silence when the rappers performed “Mercy,” though not all the offending words were bleeped out. Moments later, Jackson, the show’s host, was joined by Spike Lee as they did a comedic version of Jay-Z and West’s hit song “… In Paris,” to laughs.
“Two distinguished Morehouse men,” Lee joked after the performance, referencing the alma mater of the two.
The censor police also worked overtime when Rick Ross performed with his Maybach Music Group and during Minaj’s performance and acceptance speech for best female hip-hop artist. Minaj’s win was her third consecutive time taking the prize. “I really, really appreciate BET for keeping this category alive, and I appreciate all the female rappers doing their thing, past, present and future,” she said, before uttering an obscenity.
But one person stood tall against the onslaught of course propaganda, demanding better of her peers. Best gospel winner Yolanda Adams, who also performed, urged her peers to act mature and use their fame wisely.
“We need all of y’all,” she said onstage. “I’m saying the world needs everyone in this room. Please make sure that you use your gift responsibly, `cause we’re watching. Our babies are watching, and they want to be like us.”