Is Mo'Nique the Greatest Black-Ass BET Awards Dancer?
Revisiting a few of our favorite BET Awards performances.
Welcome to This Black-Ass Life! This week, inspired by Chloe, Victoria, and Meg, among others, shutting down the 2024 BET Awards, we wanted to revisit a few of our favorite performances from the show.
l. The Facts
Here is a non-exhaustive, stream-of-conscious list of some of our favorite BET Awards performances. Also, please excuse the number of Facebook video links, y’all. We’re millennials who recalled so many mid-aughts performances we loved. We promise if you close the Facebook pop-up, you can see the videos without needing a login.
Whitney Houston was the inaugural BET Lifetime Achievement Award winner in 2001, as she should be, and she performed her own hits, as she should have.
Confessions Usher is getting so much love but we also want to draw your attention to 2001 U Remind Me Usher. A charismatic performance with a Chili appearance!
In 2003, we had Michael Jackson surprising James Brown at his lifetime achievement honor.
Beyoncé gagged the world with her solo debut performance of Crazy in Love at the 2003 awards as well, and did it again in 2006 with her legendary performance of Déjà Vu.
Mo'Nique gagged Beyonce back in 2004 (a very hard thing to do!) with a note-perfect take on her Crazy in Love performance the year prior and then she did it AGAIN in 2007 taking on Déjà Vu. Before the Big Grrrls, we had Mo'Nique and her dancers.
There are few things more moving than Rick James and Teena Marie performing Fire & Desire at the 2004 awards.
Do you remember the artistry of OutKast’s 2004 Roses performance?
Destiny’s Child performed the single best pick-me anthem in 2005, Cater 2 U, giving lap dances to Magic Johnson, Nelly, and Terrence Howard.
Missy Elliot and Ciara’s 2005 Lose Control performance WILL get you dancing. Guaranteed.
Of the divas, Gladys Knight reigned supreme in my (Mitu’s) home. Her 2005 Lifetime Achievement Performance is one to behold.
Do you remember Alicia Keys, SWV, Vogue, and TLC uniting on one stage in 2008?
The biggest hater you know (complimentary), Kendrick Lamar gave a stirring performance of Alright at the 2015 awards.
Then he was featured in his work wife, Bey’s Freedom performance in 2016.
In 2018, Jamie Foxx, Yolanda Adams, Marsha Ambrosius, and Ledisi performed a show-stopping tribute to Anita Baker.
Lil Nas X gave us a gorgeous Remember The Time-themed 2021 performance of his hit, Montero (Call Me By Your Name).
Van Van and Heiress brought the house down this year! Be You!
Why does it matter?
When Black people get to be together and celebrate each other, joy and good things happen.
What can my Black ass do?
Enjoy these clips and have a dance party!
Spend time with your people. Hell, maybe give each other some awards! “Best at meal prepping when you want to order takeout.” “Gives the best movie/show/book recommendations.” “Truly understands blush application.” Whatever suits your fancy! Just celebrate yourself and your Black-ass loved ones!
II. Other Things
Black-ass happenings.
Colman Domingo continues to be the most important suit wearer and showed out at the BET Awards.
Did y’all know SZA was a gymnast? Here she is with THE gymnast, Simone Biles.
An ode to the living legend, Ellie the Elephant.
Absolutely love the welcome in Amber Ruffin’s comments to the LGTBQ community.
Coco Gauff is a star and a planner.
Danielle Pinnock has the most important Inside Out 2 take.
Our Black-Ass song(s) of the week (Jumoke):
Did you all know that Stevie Wonder made an experimental album dedicated to plants?! As a single mother of 88 plants and a Stevie stan, this album has been such a joy! This is my favorite song.
Things we look forward to:
I (Jumoke) look forward to seeing the WNBA in town with Mitu! We are sports babes who support women in sports.
I (Mitu) look forward to pool time over the long weekend. Lemme know if you have a pool because I’ll be there!
lll. News Updates from a Black-Ass Husband
Shout out to this husband who understood his newsdesk assignment and jumped on his scooter to get the gossip.
Stay Black, have a snack, and take a nap today.