Live Blog: The Root Goes to the BET Awards and Tries to Look Cool

Photo Illustration by Elena Scotti/The Root/GMG; photos via Getty Images

Day, oh glorious day is here! Yes, tonight The Root is at the BET Awards trying not to be awkward! Our outfit selections are at the ready, and we assume BET is ready to kick off its biggest and best party, hosted by comedian Leslie Jones.

Follow this space as I, Danielle Belton, The Root’s managing editor, and Senior Editor Yesha Callahan report on all the behind-the-scenes action as the live show unfolds Sunday at 8 p.m./7 p.m. CDT in Los Angeles at the Microsoft Theater.

Advertisement

We’ll discuss things like how many awards will Beyoncé win for being Beyoncé? How did our fave Cardi B. get nominated for BET’s Nicki Minaj Award, aka “Best Female Hip Hop Artist,” when you know they’re just going to give it to Minaj! (Minaj is also nominated for the Nicki Minaj Award, along with Missy Elliott, Young M.A. and Minaj’s “nemesis” Remy Ma. No Iggy Azaleas to be found this year.) And who on earth will we end up sitting next to? (We dream of Drake, when we know we know our reality will be decidedly not Drake.) But hey, we still might see him! You never know. It’s the BET Awards. Anything could happen!

Follow the anything below at 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. CDT!

Danielle C. Belton

Editor-in-Chief of The Root. Nerd. AKA "The Black Snob."

And we’re out! As DJ Khaled would say, you da best! Later!

Advertisement

Did we survive? Did we make it to the end yet?

Advertisement

Remy Ma just won Nicki Minaj’s award. I’ve never not seen Nicki win this award. I’m so proud of BET for genuinely surprising everyone. #Shether

Advertisement

Technical difficulties, padding for time and now, finally SZA. For some odd reason that makes no sense she reminds me of Imani Coppola.

For the record, I’m from the 90s and was born in the 70s.

Advertisement

Lil Kim’s disco ball outfit is distracting me from everything. Also, I completely forgot we were at an awards show not just a concert.

Advertisement

That was the fastest wardrobe change ever for New Edition. Also Bobby is so extra for this fur on Mr. Telephone Man.

Advertisement

New Editions Tribute was Performed by Movie Version of New Edition

And it was epic.

Bobby Brown also thanked us fans for sticking with them from thick to thin, “And I’ve been through some shit.”

Advertisement

This New Edition tribute video has everything. Fresh magazine covers. Old videos. Terrible clothes. Awesome dancing. Tyrese for some random reason...

Advertisement

I just want to point out that George Michael, not a black man, got a better tribute performance at a black awards show than the one Prince got at the non-black award show(s).

Advertisement

El DeBarge was a good choice for BET’s tribute to George Michael. Hit dem high notes, baby!

Advertisement

Tyrese almost killed Cuba Gooding Jr. in his “in memory” speech and my section hand no chill about it.

Advertisement

Yesha is wondering why Maxwell won’t sing Pretty Wings. Also, what is this song? Also, no one is standing but the set looks amazing.

Advertisement

You can hear Maxwell practicing. He must be up next.

Advertisement

Chance the Rapper was recieving the Humanitarian Award and I could barely hear it between the woman arguing with the dudes in front of her and possible Rah Digga shouting things.

Advertisement

I just screamed at a video of Michelle Obama as if she was here.

Advertisement

Shout out to Tamar Braxton's wig!

It’s bouncy! Also, does this set count as musical theater? Also, she can sing her face off.

Advertisement

I appreciate BET for shouting out activists and organizers for their work. Of course it was followed up by Future’s “Eyes Wide Shut” looking set. But you know ... take it where you can get it.

Advertisement

Xscape sounds and looks amazing ... plus Yesha actually stood up willingly for them.

Advertisement

Wait. How are Karrueche and Chris Brown in the same place? Did he leave?

Advertisement

OK. Now people are standing. I was getting worried for a minute there. I’m like did we all decide Big Sean was lame and no one told me?

Advertisement

No is standing for Big Sean and this audience has stood for everyone but the Nissan acoustic chick.

Advertisement

Bruno Mars just shouted out Stephen Hill in his speech over winning his first BET Award. For those playing at home Stephen Hill was an executive at BET who was forced out this year. True fact, Stephen backed the BET show I used to write for but got canceled after four months. #dontsleep

Advertisement

I felt it every time Mary J. said you better love yourself.

Advertisement

Yesha is now trying to live blog from Imani’s phone. It was a fail.

Advertisement

There is a lady who sounds like Rah Digga who was so amped for Diddy. She literally can’t stop, won’t stop.

Advertisement

Read more!