The 2023 BET Award event was as action-packed and electrifying as always. The red carpet looks were stunning. The pre-award show performers showed out. The tributes to hip hop legends were heartwarming. And of course, the award show performances did not disappoint. This year’s awards also saw the introduction of so many emerging talents, primarily female rappers. There was Ice Spice, Glorilla, Kalli, Lola Brooke and others. Other fresh talents also went home with awards. Coco Jones won for Best New Artist. In other categories such as Sportswoman for the year, Angel Reese took the plaque home. Other female artists such as Beyoncé, Latto and SZA also won big! SZA and Beyoncé in particular nabbed three awards each, with both of them tying for the album of the year award.
With the memorable night now behind us, 21Ninety ranked the best performances from Black women at this year’s 2023 BET Awards.
Coi Leray Pays Homage
The recurring feature of 2023’s BET awards was the homage performers consistently paid to hiphop and rap legends. A notable one was Coi Leray’s performance. During the “Twinnem” rapper’s performance of her hit single “Players” she wore a two piece black and white pants and jacket with the names of female rappers written all over it. Those who have come before her, as well as her contemporaries.
The names on her outfit included Nicki Minaj, Missy Elliott, Queen Latifa, Doechii, Ice Spice, Doja Cat, Bia, Latto, Flo Milli, City Girls, Lady of Rage, Cardi B, Left Eye and many others.
Coco Jones Under The Rain
Coco Jones made her debut performance at the 2023 BET Awards with a bang. The “Bel-Air” actress gave a heart-wrenching performance of her breakout R&B single “ICU” taken from her debut EP “What I Didn’t Tell You.” Her performance featured minimal, yet indelible theatrics, most notably a simulated rainfall.
Ice Spice Brought New York On Stage
A corner shop, a recreation of the Fordham 4 Train stop and a basketball court all in one set. For her debut performance, fast-rising talent Ice Spice brought her most representative parts of New York to the BET stage. She delivered an electrifying performance featuring hit singles like “Munch” and “Princess Diana” which recently received a remix featuring Nicki Minaj. Spice’s corner shop stage set-up also mirrored Cardi B’s debut performance where she also brought a bodega on stage.
Doechii’s Pool Party
Known for her high-energy performances, Doechii’s set at the 2023 BET Awards did not disappoint. The “Crazy” rapper opened on a high note, opting for a steamy pool party stage ser-up for her performance of “What It Is (Block Boy)”. She also brought Triville on stage whose record “Some Cut” she sampled for “What It Is.”
Latto’s Grocery Store
Latto has never been one to shy away from dramatics for her BET performances. Last year she famously brought Mariah Carey on stage in the most dramatic way possible – by panning a huge shadow of Carey’s silhouette before she came on stage. And for her 2023 BET awards performance, she chose a grocery store for her stage set up, with the DJ Booth resembling a check out counter. She opened her performance dressed as a cleaner, before transforming into her actual fit mid-performance. Latto performed her hit single “Put It On Da Floor” to an excited audience.