Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, and More! The most-searched BET Awards performances of 2023. The 2023 BET Awards will honor Black culture in television, music, film, and sports this Sunday. Rolling Stone rounded up some of the most memorable performances from the past few years.
As the annual ceremony celebrates the 50th anniversary of hip hop, many artists are paying tribute to their genre’s history. Still, even modern acts like Lizzo and Coi Leray don’t hold a candle to some of the OGs.
The tech giant Google kept track of the most-searched BET performances since 2004, and some of the biggest names in music have made the list.
Beyonce and Nicki Minaj and More
Beyonce and Nicki Minaj are two of America’s most famous singers and songwriters. In recent years, the duo finally started working together. Their collaborations on hits like “Feeling Myself” and “Flawless” were smash hits. Their chemistry was unmistakable from the start.
This year, the two will perform together for the first time since TIDAL X: 1020 Concert back in September. In a teaser clip dropped earlier this month. Showing the pair dancing and throwing their heads back as they showcase their signature moves.
The performance will be part of a special tribute to the pioneers of hip hop. Other legends such as MC Lyte, Fat Joe, Ja Rule, Ying Yang Twins and Sugarhill Gang set to pay their respects.
The Most-Searched BET Awards Performances of 2023
Beyonce will take to the stage in another highly anticipated performance to sing her latest single Hold Up. The track is the second single off her latest album Lemonade, and it showcases her rage and vulnerability at once. The video was directed by Joanne Vaughan, who has also worked with Drake and other major stars.
Comedian Leslie Jones makes her return to the BET Awards after hosting in 2018. Drake leads the nominees heading into the event, with seven nods, while GloRilla, 21 Savage, Lizzo and Burna Boy have six nominations each.
The full list of nominees can be found here. The show airs at 8 p.m. ET on BET and is simulcast on Logo, MTV2, TV Land and VH1. The ceremony will also be broadcast on the BBC America and NBC in the UK. BET’s Connie Orlando and Jamal Noisette are executive producers for the show, with Jesse Collins Entertainment’s Jeannae Rouzan-Clay serving as co-executive producer. Rolling Stone’s Michael Rothman is also serving as an executive producer.
