• The 2016 BET Awards was held on June 26 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

The 2016 BET Awards was held on June 26 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo : You Tube/Black Hollywood Live)

The 2016 BET Awards was finally held on June 26 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California. Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross returned as the award ceremony's hosts for two straight year.

Superstar singers Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar opened the BET Awards with their rendition of "Freedom." The audience were in awe as the duo unleash a spectacular performance highlighted by stomping and splashing in ankle-deep water, while the background was ablaze with graphic fire effect.

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Beyonce won the Video of the Year award but unfortunately, she was not able to personally accept her trophyas she had to leave after her performance. The "Love on Top" singer had to fly to London for the next stop of her "Formation Concert Tour," Hollywood Life has learned.

The nominees and winners, which are also listed on BET Awards website, are:

BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST

Beyoncé - Winner
Adele
Andra Day
K. Michelle
Rihanna

BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST

Bryson Tiller - Winner
Chris Brown
Jeremih
The Weeknd
Tyrese

COCA- COLA VIEWER'S CHOICE AWARD

Beyonce - "Formation" - Winner
Bryson Tiller - "Don't"
Chris Brown - "Back to Sleep"
Drake - "Hotline Bling"
Future Ft. Drake - "Where Ya At?"
Rihanna Ft. Drake - "Work"

BEST GROUP

Drake & Future - Winner
2 Chainz & Lil Wayne
Puff Daddy & The Family
Rae Sremmurd
The Internet

BEST COLLABORATION

Rihanna feat. Drake - "Work" - Winner
Big Sean feat. Chris Brown & Ty Dolla $Ign - "Play No Games"
Big Sean feat. Kanye West & John Legend - "One Man Can Change the World"
Future feat. Drake - "Where Ya At"
Nicki Minaj feat. Beyoncé - "Feeling Myself"

BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST

Drake - Winner
Fetty Wap
Future
J. Cole
Kanye West
Kendrick Lamar

BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST

Nicki Minaj - Winner
Dej Loaf
Lil Kim
Missy Elliott
Remy Ma

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Beyoncé - "Formation" - Winner
Bryson Tiller - "Don't"
Drake - "Hotline Bling"
Kendrick Lamar - "Alright"
Rihanna feat. Drake - "Work"

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Director X - Winner
Benny Boom
Chris Brown
Colin Tillet & The Little Homies
Hype Williams

BEST NEW ARTIST

Bryson Tiller - Winner
Alessia Cara
Andra Day
Kehlani
Tory Lanez

BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD

Kirk Franklin- Winner
Erica Campbell
Lecrae
Tamela Mann
Anthony Brown & Group Therapy
Tasha Cobbs

BEST ACTRESS

Taraji P. Henson - Winner
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington
Tracee Ellis Ross
Viola Davis

BEST ACTOR

Michael B. Jordan - Winner
Anthony Anderson
Courtney B. Vance
Idris Elba
O'Shea Jackson Jr.

YOUNGSTARS AWARD

Amandla Stenberg - Winner
Quvenzhane Wallis
Silento
Willow Smith
Yara Shahidi

BEST MOVIE

Straight Outta Compton - Winner
Beasts of No Nation
Concussion
Creed
Dope

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

Serena Williams - Winner
Cheyenne Woods
Gabrielle Douglas
Skylar Diggins
Venus Williams

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

Stephen Curry - Winner
Cam Newton
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Odell Beckham Jr.

CENTRIC AWARD

Beyonce - "Formation" - Winner
Andra Day - "Rise Up"
K. Michelle - "Not a Little Bit"
Rihanna - "BBHMM"
The Internet Control - "Under"

BEST INTERTNATIONAL ACT: UK

Skepta - Winner
Kano
Krept & Konan
Lianne La Havas
Stormzy
Tinie Tempah

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT: AFRICA

Wizkid (Nigeria) - Winner
Aka (South Africa)
Black Coffee (South Africa)
Serge Beynaud (Cote D'Ivoire)
Casper Nyovest (South Africa)
Mzvee (Ghana)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

SPECIAL AWARDS:

Humanitarian Award: Jesse Williams
Lifetime Achievement Award: Samuel L. Jackson

Check out the powerful opening stage of Beyonce and Lamar: