Beyoncé Wins Big, Remy Ma Ends Nicki Minaj's Reign at 2017 BET Awards

This time last year, the BET Awards left viewers with indelible moments that included Beyoncé’s epic performance of “Freedom” with Kendrick Lamar (and four tons of water), actor Jesse Williams’ impassioned speech about social activism and multiple star-studded Prince tributes featuring The Roots, Erykah Badu, Stevie Wonder, Sheila E and more.

While it can be a difficult proposition to top yourself, this year’s BET Awards came close -- thanks to a series of riveting performances, stirring tributes, a couple of welcome trips down memory lane and rapper Remy Ma ending Nicki Minaj’s seven-year win streak. And at the end of the four-hour marathon inside Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater -- marking comedian Leslie Jones’ debut as host -- an absent Beyoncé emerged as the night’s big winner.