BET Awards pays tribute to Prince

The BET Awards rolled out a surprise performance by Beyoncé, a tribute to Prince and a riveting speech by actor/social activist Jesse Williams, at its 16th annual awards show at the Microsoft Theater at Los Angeles yesterday.

Beyoncé surprised a stunned audience with an electrifying performance of Lemonade track “Freedom”, along with Kendrick Lamar. She opened the show by emerging from a cloud of smoke alongside her dancers in a wading pool of water. Upping the surprise ante came Lamar, who stepped into the pool with the singer to splash, kick and stomp home the song's powerful message.

Beyoncé was also the evening's big winner with four awards out of five nominations (including best female R&B/pop artist, video of the year for “Formation” and Coca-Cola Viewers' Choice). Her mother Tina Knowles accepted the awards on Beyoncé's behalf as the singer hopped a plane to London for the start of her international tour.

BET staged a series of tributes to the iconic Prince that ran throughout the show. Among those paying their respects were Erykah Badu, Bilal, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Maxwell, Janelle Monae and an emotional Sheila E.

Political and social activism were also prevalent themes during the course of the show. Presenter Taraji P Henson, lifetime achievement award honoree Samuel L Jackson and others emphatically stressed how crucial it was to register and vote in this year's presidential election. However, it was actor Jesse Williams who truly roused emotions. Presented with the humanitarian award by BET chairman/CEO Debra Lee for his social activism, the “Grey's Anatomy” star delivered a reasoned and fiery speech about the injustices that black people have suffered—and still suffer—in America and what needs to happen to make the status quo change.

Drake led with nine nominations and won three awards: best male hip-hop artist, best group (with Future) and best collaboration for his featured role on Rihanna's “Work”.

The BET Awards were established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to annually celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment.