26th June, 2023
Trevor George Smith Jr. known professionally as Busta Rhymes, receives the 2023 BET Lifetime Achievement Award in celebration of 50 years of Hip Hop.
The teary-eyed multiplatinum rapper, songwriter and record producer was recognised on Sunday night for making notable impact on culture and entertainment.
Rhymes, 51, was introduced by comedian Marlon Wayans, who praised the rapper as a “brilliant” musical force.
“Every song this man has done, he’s been a part of other people’s hits and been stealing hits for years,” Wayans said. “If you know Busta, we are all happy for Busta in this room ‘cause everybody knows he deserves it. He’s a good brother, a great dude.”
Receiving the prestigious honor proved to be an emotional moment for the rapper. “I’m (going to) wear it on my sleeve. I do want to cry,” Rhymes said, before dabbing his eyes with a hand towel.
Delivering a lengthy acceptance speech, the “Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check” rapper attributed part of his success to his Black cultural heritage.
“A lot of greatness from our people and our culture is by default ‘cause it’s just the magic that we have,” Rhymes said. “I just am grateful (for) the blessing that has been bestowed upon me and this gift that I have been given, and this fire that continues to burn as a passion in my soul.”
Rhymes added: “It’s just me trying to do my duty to continue to advance the culture and continue to contribute in a significant way. I see so many people in here that I have known and grown with for a long time, you’re watching me grow and I love y’all and I know y’all love me.”
Below is the full list of winners.
2023 BET Awards Winners List
ALBUM OF THE YEAR (TIE)
SOS – SZA
RENAISSANCE – Beyoncé
BEST COLLABORATION
WAIT FOR U – Future feat. Drake & Tems
BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST
SZA
BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST (TIE)
Chris Brown
Usher
BEST NEW ARTIST
Coco Jones
BEST GROUP
Drake x 21 Savage
BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST
Latto
BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST
Kendrick Lamar
DR. BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
Bless Me – Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin
BET HER AWARD
Break My Soul – Beyoncé
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Kill Bill – SZA
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Teyana “Spike Tey” Taylor
BEST MOVIE
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
BEST ACTRESS
Angela Bassett
BEST ACTOR
Damson Idris
YOUNGSTARS AWARD
Marsai Martin
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Angel Reese
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
Jalen Hurts
VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD
Break My Soul – Beyoncé
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
Burna Boy