LOS ANGELES — By Jordan Mills | The 26th Annual BET Awards transformed Los Angeles into a celebration of Black culture, creativity, and community. For anyone who has ever experienced an HBCU homecoming, the energy throughout the weekend felt instantly familiar.
The festivities began Friday at the BET Fan Fest Experience at The Beehive in South Los Angeles. Outside, DJ Holiday energized the crowd while Travis Porter delivered a performance that felt more like a family tailgate than a traditional concert. Inside, attendees explored a gaming hub produced in partnership with Trap Sushi featuring Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat tournaments, a Madden 26 championship, an anime cosplay showcase, and a Hip Hop x Anime panel that highlighted a growing intersection of culture and creativity.
The food was equally memorable. South Los Angeles favorite Two Hommes served Afro-centric cuisine that quickly became a crowd favorite. The Jollof platter alone was worth the visit.
Yet one of the weekend’s most meaningful moments came away from the music and entertainment. At the center of Fan Fest stood a dining room table surrounded by framed images from BET’s beloved family-centered programming, including Survivor’s Remorse, The Ms. Pat Show, and Madea’s Big Happy Family. The display captured scenes of families laughing, arguing, celebrating, and sharing meals together. More than an exhibit, it reflected the theme that defined the entire weekend: family.
Saturday’s celebration continued at The Vermont Hollywood with Nothing But Anthems, hosted by Bow Wow. The event paid tribute to the iconic 106 & Park era, with attendees enthusiastically singing along to the soundtrack of a generation.
On Sunday, anticipation reached its peak as the BET Awards took center stage. While T.I. opened the show with energy and excitement, it was comedian Druski who stole the spotlight. Making history as the youngest host in BET Awards history, the 31-year-old entertainer made a memorable entrance descending from the ceiling as his viral “Mega Church Pastor” character, complete with a choir and plenty of laughs.
One of the evening’s standout moments was the tribute to legendary artist D’Angelo. Rather than focusing solely on his biggest hits, the performance celebrated the depth of his catalog. His children introduced the tribute before performances by Ari Lennox, RAYE, George Clinton, Durand Bernarr, and BJ the Chicago Kid, all backed by D’Angelo’s acclaimed band, The Vanguard. The tribute resonated deeply with longtime fans who appreciated the spotlight on some of his most beloved and influential work.
Another unforgettable highlight was the tribute honoring Lauryn Hill as a BET Living Legend. An all-star lineup including Common, Nas, Queen Latifah, Doechii, Lizzo, Doja Cat, Rapsody, Tierra Whack, The War and Treaty, and her sons Zion and YG Marley celebrated her groundbreaking contributions to music and culture. The moment came full circle when Hill herself took the stage to perform “Ex-Factor,” reminding audiences why her influence continues to shape generations of artists.
As the weekend came to a close, the feeling was much like leaving a family reunion—grateful, inspired, and already looking forward to the next gathering.
That is what makes the BET Awards unique. More than an awards show, it serves as a cultural reunion, a celebration of Black excellence, and a reminder of how far the community has come while honoring those who continue to pave the way forward.
For an HBCU graduate from the South, standing in the heart of Los Angeles surrounded by artists, creators, and changemakers from across the country, the experience felt less like attending an awards show and more like coming home.
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