Powerful Performances Delivered by J.Cole and Meek Mill At The 2018 BET Awards
“Black excellence televised!” #JamieFoxx screamed as he hosted and witnessed the breathtaking performances go down at Sunday’s award ceremony.
Several artists, including #JCole and #MeekMill, used their platform to advocate different societal issues that viewers are still resonating on. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ After announcing J.Cole was next to hit the stage, many were surprised to see Wale sitting in front of a television set. Followed by Canadian singer, #DanielCaesar, who delivered the hook on Cole’s “FRIENDS” from his new KOD album. The song talked about addiction to drugs and the lack of successful black role models and ambition to teach the children. Cole’s poetic flow also mentioned the importance of mental health and how many medicate their illness with improper drugs. Joined by a group of children dressed in all white, Cole encouraged the purest cure to any illness: meditate. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Following the anti-drug message, recently released from prison, rapper Meek Mill debuted his new song, “Stay Woke”—featuring R&B singer #Miguel—on a stage that took us all back to his Philly neighborhood. Through song, Meek shared his struggle growing up in a violent environment filled with drug abuse and how it affected his mentality at young age. Over 10 years later, the dream chasing rapper is still facing the consequences from a gun charge that led to a variety of probation violations and other charges. Meek addressed police brutality, racial discrimination and senseless violence while rocking an XXXTentacion shirt—a Florida rapper murdered and robbed last week. Meek’s powerful performance aligned with his recent work towards prison reform and new Amazon series dedicated to improving the criminal justice system. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Performing at the BET Awards is a moment for artists such as J.Cole and Meek Mill, to take advantage of the opportunity to shed light on issues without being silenced. The essence of hip-hop is spreading knowledge on the struggles we face as minorities that are never addressed. How long will it be for powerful stage performances like this ignite change or action?
