They Did THAT! 7 Most Memorable Performances From The BET Awards (VIDEOS)
Written by 96motero on May 27, 2025
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Chris Brown’s Emotional MJ Tribute (2010 BET Awards)
Whew, Chris Brown had us in our feelings with that Michael Jackson tribute! Breezy hit the stage back in 2010, still navigating THAT media storm from the incident with Rihanna the year prior. But he was NOT playing when it came to honoring his idol. He did his big one, performing ‘Billie Jean’ and ‘Man in the Mirror’, and then broke down in tears mid-performance. Y’all, when Breezy couldn’t hold it together, we were right there crying with him. A moment!
@musicologybymkl 13 years ago we lost the Greatest Of All Time Michael Jackson
The Bad Boy Family Reunion (2015 BET Awards)
@iconsplayhouse #betawards #lilkim #badboyreunion #iconsplayhouse ♬ It’s All About the Benjamins – Puff Daddy & The Family
Fugees Reunion Had Us Shook (2005 BET Awards)
Brandy’s Heartfelt Whitney Houston Tribute (2012)
Brandy had us chilled to the bone with this uptempo tribute to her mentor, Whitney Houston, at the 2012 BET Awards. Knowing how hype Brandy was when she met Whitney for the first time back in ’95, this one hit different. But 17 years later, she was honoring the legend who’d passed too soon. Brandy’s soulful spin on ‘I’m Your Baby Tonight’ was everything as she owned the BET stage, vocals on 1000. Not to mention the love she poured into it. Chile, even Beyoncé was caught bopping her head in the crowd.
@donte_dvone @brandy mic was ON
Destiny’s Child’s Final Slay (2005)
@beybebeastin look at his face the entire time lmao he was ready! Nelly and Magic was just happy to be there lol #destinyschild #kellyrowland #michellewilliams #beyonce #beyonceknowlescarter #beyonceknowles #nelly #magicjohnson #terrencehoward #betawards #bey ♬ Cater 2 U – Destiny’s Child
Rick James & Teena Marie’s Soulful Duet (2004)
Rick James and Teena Marie set the stage ABLAZE at the 2004 BET Awards, just weeks before Rick’s unfortunate passing in Los Angeles. Their ‘Fire and Desire’ performance was straight soul, with chemistry so fiery, the audience was doing double-takes. And let’s not forget Rick’s iconic backstage clapback that same night when a woman backstage mistook him for another celebrity, chile. “Never mind who you thought I was, I’m Rick James, b****!” he clapped back.
@honeygabioneski #fireanddesire #rickjames #teenamarie #betawards ♬ original sound – VLOG STAR ★
Whitney Houston’s Lifetime Achievement Performance (2001)
When Whitney Houston stepped up for her Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001, Nippy didn’t just perform; she owned that stage (see here). At the very first BET Awards, she blessed us with a medley of hits like ‘I Have Nothing’ and ‘I Will Always Love You.’ The standing ovation went on FOREVER, and we’re still not over how effortlessly Whitney could SANG. But she didn’t just give an iconic performance; she also gave an iconic speech that lives rent-free in many people’s heads to this day.
Honorable Mention: Ciara And Chris Brown (2008)
Whew! How can we not include THIS performance of CiCi and Breezy back in 2008? After serving up choreography and vocals with a solo performance at the 2008 BET Awards, Chris was joined by Ciara for a dance break to ‘Take You Down’ that had us all shook!
@musicologybymkl One of their best performances! #ciara #chrisbrown #danceroutine #2000s #fyp #pourtoi
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