The 2016 BET Honors took place Monday night at the Warner Theater in Washington, DC.
This is an annual celebration that pays tribute to distinguished leaders in the fields of music, education, entertainment, technology, and business. During the show Arsenio Hall warned everyone that if Donald Trump becomes President events such as this will cease to exist.
The night’s honorees included the first African-American U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, music icon Patti LaBelle, Oscar-winning producer-director and creator of “Empire” Lee Daniels, famed record exec, producer, and CEO of Epic Records L.A. Reid, and business woman Mellody Hobson.
Toni Braxton opened the show with her sisters singing background. She sang a medley of her work and ended with a touching moment between her and L.A. Reid. Usher also sang in honor of Mr. Reid bringing his soulfulness to the stage. Ledisi paid tribute to the late Natalie Cole. Fantasia Barrino sang her rendition of “You Are My Friend” by Patti LaBelle. Patti enjoyed it so much that she took to TWITTER to respond to Fantasia:
I love you @MsPattiPatti. Tune in TONIGHT at 8p/7c on @BET! #BETHonors pic.twitter.com/IgAG8DTwD6
— Fantasia Barrino (@TasiasWord) March 14, 2016
I love you more @TasiasWord and you know you slayed You Are My Friend! Can’t wait to see it again tonight! XOXO! https://t.co/YvWiWiCwa0
— Patti LaBelle (@MsPattiPatti) March 14, 2016
In case you missed Fantasia’s Tribute to Patti LaBelle last night at the BET Honors:https://t.co/7E1ZiiptoV
— Thomas Darby. (@ThomasLDarby) March 15, 2016
Let’s just say she did slay and brought the house all the way down reminding everyone why she won American Idol. How do you follow that performance?
The show ended with a tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire’s Maurice White. Raheem DeVaughn and Jazmine Sullivan rocked out to “September” and “Shining Star.”
Watch clips from the BET Honors on BET.com.
-Emily Aikens
