Last night (April 5), BET’s 10th annual “Black Girls Rock! Awards” aired in celebration to honor black women and girls (famous or not) who have impacted in the world.
The event was packed with great vibes and star power as black women uplifted each other in a society that often overlooks them and praises catty feuds. The honorees were producer and writer Shonda Rhimes (Shot Caller Award), R&B legend Gladys Knight (Living Legend Award), The Walking Dead actress and “Eclipsed” playwright Danai Gurira (Star Power Award), award-winning actress and activist Amandla Stenberg (Young Gifted and Black Award), and Black Lives Matter founders Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometi (Community Change Agent Award).
R&B stars Jazmine Sullivan, Brandy, Monica, and Andra Day, Marsha Ambrosius, Corrine Bailey Rae, and Lauryn Hill, all performed for their fellow female movers and shakers. Wearing a gold body suit, Jazmine Sullivan performed her self-love single “Masterpiece,” Brandy got into character of a down-and-out for her performance of her new single “Beggin & Pleadin,” and Monica beautifully performed the ballad “Alone In Your Heart from her latest LP, Code Red, sharing a mommy-daughter moment with daughter Laiyah, as well. Lauryn Hill closed out the show with an amazing, energetic performance of “Lost Ones.” Glady Knight also performed a slew of her hits including “Midnight Train To Georgia” and “Love Overboard.”
Rihanna’s presence at the show was also a highlight as she’s currently on a word tour as one of the biggest stars in the world, and a black woman who’s unapologetically fearless in her career, music, and image. Her speech resonated with the crowd when she said, “All girl rock, black girls…we’re just on another level,” she said during the acceptance speech of her Rock Star Award.
Catch some of the performances and RiRi’s speech below.
Brandy Gets Into Character for “Beggin & Pleadin”
Andra Day “Rises Up”
Jazmine Sullivan Slays “Masterpiece”
Jazmine Sullivan slays #Masterpiece at #BlackGirlsRock!
Posted by Tyrone Labelz Pitts on Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Monica Performs “Alone In Your Heart”, brings out daughter Laiyah
Monica gives RANGE in her performance of #AloneInYourHeart
Posted by Tyrone Labelz Pitts on Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Rihanna Accepts the Rock Star Award
