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The show, which celebrates Black excellence in
music, film, sports and philanthropy, was filled with speeches,
songs, images of protests and the names of dozens of Black men
and women who have died at the hands of police in recent years.
Beyonce, who was given a humanitarian award by former U.S. first
lady Michelle Obama for her charitable initiatives, urged the
Black community to use its vote in upcoming U.S. elections to
dismantle "racist and unequal systems."
"We have to vote like our life depends on it, because it does,"
the singer said.
The awards show, broadcast live for the first time in its
20-year history on America's mainstream CBS channel, featured
commercials from the likes of Coca-Cola, Ford, Nissan, P&G,
L'Oreal and Facebook that both celebrated the achievements of
Black people and highlighted the challenges they face.
A remixed version of veteran New York rap group Public Enemy's
1989 anthem "Fight the Power," featuring photos of this month's
street protests, opened the show, whose slogan was "Our culture
can't be canceled."
Da Baby's performance of "Rockstar" began with the rapper
singing while lying on the ground under the knee of a police
officer, in a recreation of last month's arrest and death of
George Floyd in Minneapolis that sparked the protests.
Newcomer Roddy Ricch wore a "Black Lives Matter" shirt, John
Legend played his ballad, "We Will Never Break," and Alicia Keys
sang an emotional new song, "Perfect Way to Die," about the
black lives lost over the decades.
The show was a mix of pre-recorded performances and virtual
appearances because of the coronavirus pandemic that shut down
production of television shows in mid-March.
Awards went to Ricch's "Please Excuse Me for Being Anti-Social,"
which won album of the year, Megan Thee Stallion for best female
hip-hop artist and Lizzo was named best female R&B/pop artist.
Gymnast Simone Biles and basketball star LeBron James were named
sportswoman and man of the year respectively. Nigerian musician
Burna Boy was named best international act.
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
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