Kendrick Lamar & Nicki Minaj Continue to Dominate the BET Awards

Last night’s (June 28) BET Awards were equal parts nostalgic and forward-leaning. A Bad Boy Records reunion featuring Lil’ Kim, Diddy, Ma$e, and The LOX as well as appearances from Janet Jackson and Smokey Robinson sparked reflection around the web, with viewers expressing delight at seeing some of their favorite childhood artists back on stage. The night, however, also belonged to the current generation, with Kendrick Lamar winning the award for “Best Male Hip-Hop Artist” and Nicki Minaj winning the female counterpart.

Lamar’s co-nominees were Big Sean, Common (who won the award for “Best Collaboration” thanks to “Glory” with John Legend), Drake, J. Cole, and Wale, a cross-section of various brands of Hip-Hop. Lamar’s win over a newly minted Oscar-winner (Common) and the first artist to go platinum with no features in over 25 years (J. Cole) is perhaps indicative of the resonance audiences still feel with To Pimp a Butterfly, released only three months ago (whereas Common’s Nobody’s Smiling and J. Cole’s 2014 Forest Hills Drive were released 11 and 7 months ago, respectively). Heads may remember that Lamar’s 2013 wins for Best New Artist in addition to Best Male Hip-Hop Artist came a full eight months after the release of good kid, m.A.A.d. city, making him 2-0 at the Awards ceremony.

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Nicki Minaj (who has won Best Female Hip Hop Artist six years in a row) triumphed over Azealia Banks, Dej Loaf, Iggy Azalea, Tink, and Trina. A stark contrast to the male nominees, all five of Minaj’s co-contenders have all contributed to female visibility in Hip-Hop. Dej Loaf and Tink were both nominated despite never having released a studio album (and Dej Loaf’s most-streamed song, “Try Me,” came out in 2012), a remarkable feat that may also speak to the lack of established, more seasoned female artists not recognized by this year’s Awards. The success of Minaj’s The Pinkprint (it went gold and debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 chart) made her the clear front-runner.

Here is a list of other category winners (in bold) and nominees:

BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST

Beyoncé
Ciara
Janelle Monáe
Jhené Aiko
K. Michelle
Rihanna

BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST

August Alsina
Chris Brown
John Legend
The Weeknd
Trey Songz
Usher

BEST GROUP

A$AP Mob
Jodeci
Migos
Rae Sremmurd
Rich Gang
Young Money

BEST COLLABORATION

August Alsina – “No Love (Remix)” f. Nicki Minaj
Big Sean – “IDFWU” f. E-40
Chris Brown – “Loyal” f. Lil Wayne & Tyga
Chris Brown – “New Flame” f. Rick Ross & Usher
Common & John Legend – “Glory”
Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”

BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST

Big Sean
Common
Drake
J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar
Wale

BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST

Azealia Banks
DeJ Loaf
Iggy Azalea
Nicki Minaj
Tink
Trina

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Beyoncé – “7/11”
Big Sean – “IDFWU”
Chris Brown – “Loyal”
Chris Brown – “New Flame”
Common & John Legend – “Glory”
Nicki Minaj – “Anaconda”

BEST NEW ARTIST

Bobby Shmurda
DeJ Loaf
Fetty Wap
Rae Sremmurd
Sam Smith
Tinashe

COCA-COLA VIEWERS’ CHOICE AWARD

Beyoncé – “7/11”
DeJ Loaf – “Try Me”
Kendrick Lamar – “i”
Nicki Minaj – “Only”
Rae Sremmurd – “Throw Sum Mo
The Weeknd – “Earned It”

CENTRIC AWARD

Avery Sunshine – “Call My Name”
Jazmine Sullivan – “Dumb” f. Meek Mill
Mark Ronson – “Uptown Funk” f. Bruno Mars
Sam Smith – “Stay With Me” f. Mary J. Blige
The Weeknd – “Earned It”

Did your favorites win?

 Related: Kendrick Lamar Strikes Heartfelt Chords Performing A Symbolic “Alright” (Video)