BET Awards winners: Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B's big reveal; Queen Latifah's emotional acceptance speech

From a pregnancy announcement, show-stopping performances from the world's biggest artists, to moving tributes of music legend's recently lost, the BET Awards were back in full force after going virtual last year.

"Empire" star Taraji P. Henson hosted the 21st annual show from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles June 27.

This year’s theme was “Year of the Black Woman," and Megan Thee Stallion, who led the nominations alongside fellow rapper DaBaby with seven, took home four awards for best female hip-hop artist, the viewer's choice award for her "Savage" remix featuring Beyoncé, best collaboration and video of the year for "WAP," her collaboration with Cardi B.

The three-time Grammy winner also easily delivered one of the best performances of the night, dressed in an all-black latex bodysuit giving us major "Hot Girl Summer" vibes.

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When accepting the award for best female hip-hop artist, the "Savage" rapper said: "I really forgot to say ‘thank you Cardi' for even putting me on ‘WAP' because it makes me feel so good to be acknowledged by one of my peers, who I think so highly of."

"I think so highly of all the women who was nominated in this category," she added.

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Multi-hyphenate star Queen Latifah was honored with the lifetime achievement award for her 30-year career. "She is a legend," said director Lee Daniels during the award introduction.

Taking to the stage to perform a medley of the legend's classic hits was Lil' Kim, Rapsody, MC Lyte and Monie Love.

"I'm so extremely moved, I don't even know what to say," Latifah said during her speech, moved to tears. "I want to thank BET for creating an outlet for beautiful Blackness to thrive, to shine. When we couldn't get played on the radio and other places, we couldn't get our videos played in other places, there was BET that allowed us to be in our fullness."

She also thanked God, her father, Lancelot Owens, Sr. who accompanied her and late mother, Rita Owens, whom she carried a photo of onstage. "I've always celebrated the woman because I was raised by a strong Black woman," Latifah said proudly. "And raised by a father who loves women."

To close out the night, Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Spliff Star and Griselda took to the stage to pay tribute to DMX, who died in April at age 50. Swizz Beatz curated the tribute which featured a medley of the Ruff Ryders legend's biggest hits.

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Lil Nas X performed his hit "Call Me By Your Name" on the stage set in Ancient Egypt. The number ended with the pharaoh-attired rapper locking lips with a male background dancer atop a staircase next to a throne. The crowd roared loudly in approval with audience members jumping out of their seats in praise.

Perhaps the most memorable moment of the night, however, was at the top of the show when Cardi B revealed she was pregnant with her second child with Offset during her performance with Migos.

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Here is a full list of award nominees, with the winner's name in bold.

Album of the year

“After Hours,” The Weeknd

“Blame It on Baby,” DaBaby

“Good News,” Megan Thee Stallion

WINNER: “Heaux Tales,” Jazmine Sullivan

“King’s Disease,” Nas

“Ungodly Hour,” Chloe X Halle

Best female R&B / pop artist

Beyoncé

WINNER: H.E.R.

Jazmine Sullivan

Jhené Aiko

Summer Walker

SZA

Best male R&B / pop artist

6lack

Anderson .Paak

WINNER: Chris Brown

Giveon

Tank

The Weeknd

Best female hip-hop artist

Cardi B

Coi Leray

Doja Cat

WINNER: Megan Thee Stallion

Latto

Saweetie

Best male hip-hop artist

DaBaby

Drake

J. Cole

Jack Harlow

WINNER: Lil Baby

Pop Smoke

Best new artist

Coi Leray

Flo Milli

WINNER: Giveon

Jack Harlow

Latto

Pooh Shiesty

Best collaboration

WINNER: Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”

DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch, “Rockstar”

DJ Khaled featuring Drake, “Popstar”

Jack Harlow featuring DaBaby, Tory Lanez & Lil Wayne, “Whats Poppin (Remix)”

Megan Thee Stallion featuring DaBaby, “Cry Baby”

Pop Smoke featuring Lil Baby & DaBaby, “For the Night”

Best group

21 Savage & Metro Boomin

Chloe X Halle

Chris Brown & Young Thug

City Girls

Migos

WINNER: Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak)

Video of the year

Cardi B, “Up”

WINNER: Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”

Chloe X Halle, “Do It”

Chris Brown & Young Thug, “Go Crazy”

Drake featuring Lil Durk, “Laugh Now Cry Later”

Silk Sonic, “Leave the Door Open”

Dr. Bobby Jones best gospel/inspirational award

Bebe Winans, "In Jesus Name"

CeCe Winans, "Never Lost"

H.E.R., "Hold Us Together"

WINNER: Kirk Franklin, "Strong God"

Marvin Sapp, "Thank You for It All"

Tamela Mann, "Touch From You"

BET HER award

Alicia Keys featuring Khalid, “So Done”

Brandy featuring Chance the Rapper, “Baby Mama”

Bri Steves, “Anti Queen”

Chloe X Halle, “Baby Girl”

Ciara featuring Ester Dean, “Rooted”

WINNER: SZA, “Good Days”

Viewer’s choice award

Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”

Chris Brown & Young Thug, “Go Crazy”

DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch, “Rockstar”

DJ Khaled featuring Drake, “Popstar”

Drake featuring Lil Durk, “Laugh Now Cry Later”

Lil Baby, “The Bigger Picture”

WINNER: Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé, “Savage (Remix)”

Silk Sonic, “Leave the Door Open”

Video director of the year

Benny Boom

WINNER: Bruno Mars & Florent Déchard

Cole Bennett

Colin Tilley

Dave Meyers

Hype Williams

Best international act

Aya Nakamura (France)

WINNER: Burna Boy (Nigeria)

Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

Emicida (Brazil)

Headie One (UK)

Wizkid (Nigeria)

Young T & Bugsey (UK)

Youssoupha (France)

Best movie

“Coming 2 America”

WINNER:“Judas and the Black Messiah”

“Ma Rainey's Black Bottom”

“One Night in Miami”

“Soul”

“The United States Vs. Billie Holiday”

Best actress

WINNER: Andra Day

Angela Bassett

Issa Rae

Jurnee Smollett

Viola Davis

Zendaya

Best actor

Aldis Hodge

WINNER: Chadwick Boseman

Damson Idris

Daniel Kaluuya

Eddie Murphy

Lakeith Stanfield

Youngstars award

Alex R. Hibbert

Ethan Hutchison

Lonnie Chavis

WINNERS: Marsai Martin

Michael Epps

Storm Reid

Sportswoman of the year award

A'ja Wilson

Candace Parker

Claressa Shields

WINNER: Naomi Osaka

Serena Williams

Skylar Diggins-Smith

Sportsman of the year award

Kyrie Irving

WINNER: Lebron James

Patrick Mahomes

Russell Westbrook

Russell Wilson

Stephen Curry

Contributing: Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: BET Awards 2021: Full list of winners and nominees