Music
25 Jun 18

Meek Mill Gives Powerful Performance at 2018 BET Awards

Mill remembered fallen rappers with a powerful political performance at the BET Awards this year

Rapper Meek Mill honored XXXTentacion and Jimmy Wopo, who were gunned down hours apart from each other last week, during his performance at the BET Awards on Sunday.

Mill donned a sweatshirt bearing the faces of XXX and Wopo as he performed his song ‘Stay Woke’ at the award ceremony. The performance commented on the prevalent gun violence and police brutality plaguing America. Ironically the pre show was interrupted mid-interview as police appeared on screen and instructed the production crew to move.

Alongside singer Miguel, Mill performed on a set that mimicked a dreary street corner which erupted in violence as police arrived. Following a confrontation, a young girl laid dead on the floor draped in and American flag as a gunshot echoed through the venue. The performance concluded with roughly a dozen men in orange jumpsuits standing solemnly behind bars.

“How can I pledge allegiance to the flag when they killin’ all our sons, all our dads?”

The performance followed Mill’s release from prison back in April. The rapper was given a two to four year sentence after performing a wheelie on his dirtbike, which police deemed “reckless endangerment” and a violation of his probation. This decision was widely criticized as excessive and triggered a series of investigations regarding the charges.

Additionally, Childish Gambino gave a brief, impromptu performance of his protest anthem ‘This is America’ after being invited on stage by host Jamie Foxx.

The winners of the 2018 BET awards are as follows:

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist: Beyoncé

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist: Bruno Mars

Best Group: Migos

Best Collaboration: DJ Khaled feat. Rihanna and Bryson Tiller - ‘Wild Thoughts’

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist: Cardi B

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist: Kendrick Lamar

Video of the Year: Drake - ‘God’s Plan’

Video Director of the Year: Ava Duvernay

Best New Artist: SZA

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational: Lecrae feat. Tori Kelly - ‘I’ll Find You’

Best International Act: Davido (Nigeria)