As stars in music, acting, sports and entertainment celebrated the best in African-American music and pop culture at the 2015 @BETAwards, a large community of fans had Twitter as their sidekick to share rich commentary and reactions in real time. Periscope also transported viewers from the couch to the ceremony, with live behind-the-scenes action from the red carpet and backstage.
Africa was well represented at the BET Awards by the following artists; our very own Sauti Sol, Eddy Kenzo (Uganda), MZVEE (Ghana), Sarkodie (Ghana), Stonebwoy (Ghana), Fally Ipupa (DR Congo), Cassper Nyovest (South Africa), AKA (South Africa), The Soil (South Africa), Wizkid (Nigeria) and Yemi Alade (Nigeria).
East Africans are particularly proud of Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo for winning the BET Award for Best Artist: International Viewer’s Choice Award. He is the first East African to receive this award. Fans can continue congratulating him via his Twitter handle @eddykenzoficial and follow him for updates on new song releases/ tour dates coming up.
Throughout the evening, fans followed along with all of the biggest moments- as they happened, and this year, performances stole the show. Here are the ones that generated the most conversation on Twitter:
1. BET honors Janet Jackson with the Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual Award and tribute
2. Battle of the Ballads: K. Michelle, Tamar Braxton and Patti LaBelle perform
3. Chris Brown performs with Tyga and Omarion
As stars presented the awards, performed, and took away the trophies, viewers chimed in on Twitter with their reactions and congratulations. The top three most mentioned people on Twitter during the BET Awards are as follows:
1. Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ)
2. Chris Brown (@chrisbrown)
We caught @Chrisbrown rehearsing backstage at the #BETAwards… Twitter + Periscope LIVE pic.twitter.com/JtN06dc73T
— #BETAwards (@BETAwards) June 29, 2015
3. Rihanna (@rihanna) Periscope broadcasts from @BET offered fans an opportunity to join the action from the red carpet and backstage, while a Periscope robot roamed the scene to capture the moments in real-time.
Check out what @janellemoné and all your fav celebs are wearing on the #BETAwards red carpet https://t.co/RoLYUYkqNn
— #BETAwards (@BETAwards) June 28, 2015
The stars also joined in on the BET conversation as they shared their first-hand experiences with their followers. Check out the Twitter blog to see more Tweets, GIFs and Vines from top international artists.
