Anita Baker, H.E.R., Meek Mill shine at BET Awards

The 2018 BET Awards barely handed out any trophies with big stars like Cardi B, Drake and Kendrick Lamar absent, but the show included superior performances by rising singer H.E.R., rapper Meek Mill and gospel artist Yolanda Adams, who paid tribute to Anita Baker and nearly brought her to tears.

H.E.R. performs at the BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, June 24, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Baker, an eight-time Grammy winner who dominated the R&B charts from the early '80s to mid-90s, earned the Lifetime Achievement Award on Sunday at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

The 60-year-old used her speech to encourage the artists in the room to keep music alive.

"I would ask that the music be allowed to play, that singers are allowed to sing, and rappers are allowed to rap, and poets are allowed to rhyme," said Baker, who also was honored by host Jamie Foxx, Ledisi and Marsha Ambrosius.

Davido accepts the best international act award at the BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, June 24, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

H.E.R., whose real name is Gabi Wilson, was impressive as she sang the R&B hit "Focus," played the electric guitar like a rock star and sang softly during the sweet love song "Best Part," where she was joined by Daniel Caesar.

Meek Mill, who was released from prison in April, rapped the song "Stay Woke" on a stage transformed into a street corner, featuring hustlers, children and police officers. A mother screams as her child is shot during the powerful performance, and an officer lays an American flag over the body.

Anita Baker accepts the lifetime achievement award at the BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, June 24, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Meek Mill also made a statement by wearing a hoodie featuring the face of XXXTentacion, the 20-year-old rapper-singer who died after being shot last week.

"We can't get used to these types of things. We're too used to young people getting killed," Foxx said when speaking about XXXTentacion later in the show.

The Oscar winner told the audience to "try to sneak a message in" their music.

"We got to figure something out," he said.

Meek Mill performs "Stay Woke" at the BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, June 24, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Snoop Dogg celebrated 25 years in music, performing the classic songs "What's My Name" and "Next Episode." The rapper also performed songs from his recently released gospel album, wearing a choir robe on a stage that looked like a church.

Childish Gambino, whose song and music video "This Is America" tackles racism and gun violence and became a viral hit last month, gave a short, impromptu performance of the song when Foxx brought him onstage.

"Everybody begged me to do a joke about that song. I said that song should not be joked about," Foxx said.

Meek Mill performs "Stay Woke" at the BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, June 24, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Foxx kicked off the show rejoicing in the uber success of "Black Panther," namedropping the records the film has broken and even pulled Michael B. Jordan onstage to recite a line from the film.

"We don't need a president right now because we got our king," Foxx said of T'Challa. "(Director) Ryan Coogler gave us our king."

Foxx entered the arena with a stuffed black panther toy — with a gold chain around its neck — which he handed to Jordan. The film won best movie.

Host Jamie Foxx speaks at the BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, June 24, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

"The film is about our experiences being African-Americans and also captures the experiences of being African," Coogler said. "It was about tapping into the voice that tells us to be proud of who we are."

At the end of his speech he told the audience to travel to Africa and learn more about the continent's history.

SZA, who was the most nominated woman at this year's Grammys, won best new artist and said she's "never won anything in front of other people."

Jamie Foxx performs during a tribute to lifetime achievement award winner Anita Baker at the BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, June 24, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

She dedicated the award to those "lost in the world," saying: "Follow your passion ... believe in yourself."

After the show, BET announced that Kendrick Lamar had won best album for "DAMN." and best male hip-hop artist. Beyonce won best female pop/R&B artist, while Bruno Mars was named the best male pop/R&B artist.

"Girls Trip" star and comedian Tiffany Haddish, who won best actress and gave her speech in a taped video, also said encouraging words.

"You can achieve anything you want in life," she said.

Janelle Monáe arrives at the BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, June 24, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)

DJ Khaled was the leading nominee with six and picked up the first award of the night — best collaboration — for "Wild Thoughts" with Rihanna and Bryson Tiller. He was holding his son on his hip onstage and also used his speech to highlight young people.

"All of y'all are leaders and all of y'all are kings and queens — the future," he said.

Migos won best group and gave a fun performance that even had Adams reciting the lyrics. J. Cole, Nicki Minaj, Janelle Monae, Miguel, YG, 2 Chainz and Big Sean also performed.

Nicki Minaj performs at the BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, June 24, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

The BET Awards normally hands its Humanitarian Award to one person, but six individuals received the honor Sunday. Dubbed "Humanitarian Heroes," the network gave awards to James Shaw Jr., who wrestled an assault-style rifle away from a gunman in a Tennessee Waffle House in April; Anthony Borges, the 15-year-old student who was shot five times and is credited with saving the lives of at least 20 other students during February massacre in Florida; Mamoudou Gassama, who scaled an apartment building to save a child dangling from a balcony last month in Paris; Naomi Wadler, an 11-year-old who gave a memorable and influential speech at March for Our Lives; Justin Blackman, the only student to walk out of his high school in North Carolina during the nationwide student walkout to protest gun violence in March; and journalist and activist Shaun King.

John Legend introduces the humanitarian honorees at the BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, June 24, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Debra Lee, who stepped down as chairman and CEO of BET last month after 32 years at the network, earned the Ultimate Icon Award.

"The power of black culture is unmatched. It's beautiful. It's amazing. It's everything. It's us," she said.

Humanitarian honorees Anthony Borges, left, and James Shaw Jr. appear on stage at the BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, June 24, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

She ended her speech quoting former U.S. President Barack Obama, calling him "our commander in chief," which drew loud applause.

"And, it's Debra Lee, out," she said as she dropped her imaginary microphone.

Humanitarian honoree Naomi Wadler appears on stage at the BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, June 24, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

The return of “Hacks” and a new Jerry Seinfeld movie are some of the new television, movies, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also among the streaming offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: New episodes of “Behind the Music,” Selena Gomez taking her cooking skills to restaurants and a video game for political junkies.

– Jerry Seinfeld has been very picky about his post-”Seinfeld” projects, but the comedian stars in, co-writes and directs the new Netflix comedy “Unfrosted” (out now). The film, an origin story for the Pop-Tart, is as stocked with comic talent as it is ridiculousness. Melissa McCarthy, Jim Gaffigan, Amy Schumer, Hugh Grant and many others co-star in Seinfeld’s satire of Kellogg’s and Post in a heated raced to create a new breakfast treat.

– “Documenting Police Use of Force” is the result of a three-year investigation by PBS’ “Frontline,” The Associated Press and Howard Center for Investigative Journalism examining deaths that have followed police use of tactics known as “less-lethal force.” Though tactics like prone restraint are meant to be less deadly than firearms, the investigation found that their use, or misuse, led to more than 1,000 deaths over 10 years — often in encounters that began with a minor incident. The film began streaming on APNews.com, PBS.org/frontline and in the PBS app on Tuesday. It also airs on PBS stations (check local listings), on Frontline’s YouTube channel and will be available on the PBS Documentaries Prime Video Channel.

– If you missed “The Holdovers,” Alexander Payne’s Oscar-winning ’70s-set boarding school comic drama, the film arrived Monday on Prime Video. The film was nominated for five Oscars, including best actor for Paul Giamatti, and went home with one: best supporting actress for Da’Vine Joy Randolph. Giamatti stars as a curmudgeonly teacher tasked with watching a student (Dominic Sessa) over Christmas break.

— AP Film Writer Jake Coyle

— First came “Houdini,” a club-banger with new edge. Then the lively ambitiousness of “Training Season,” and the elastic bass of “Illusion.” The English-Albanian pop superstar Dua Lipa ’s third album, “Radical Optimism,” is built of her longstanding pop sensibilities. But she’s shifted slightly away from the disco-pop of 2020’s “Future Nostalgia” and instead, has embraced pop-psychedelia in influences like Primal Scream and Massive Attack, at least partially thanks to a new collaborator in Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker. It’s a euphoric ride straight to the club, and a reminder of the necessity of danceable music in resilience.

— In the late ’90s and carrying into the 2010s, VH1’s documentary series “Behind the Music” offered in-depth insight into the top performers of the past and present – highlighting their path of success and obstacles faced in the process. For music obsesses, it was an education. If you missed it, or if you’re missing it right now, long no more: Paramount+ debuted new episodes of “Behind the Music” on Wednesday, spotlighting Bell Biv DeVoe, Trace Adkins and Wolfgang Van Halen. And while you wait: There are episodes from the original series available to stream on Paramount+ right now, featuring everyone from Boy George and Busta Rhymes to Jennifer Lopez and New Kids on the Block.

— Tuareg guitarist Mdou Moctar – and his band, Nigerien guitarist Ahmoudou Madassane, drummer Souleymane Ibrahim, and American bassist Mikey Coltun -- have been celebrated on the global stage for their ferocious psychedelic rock. On their forthcoming album, “Funeral for Justice,” those riffs have only gotten bigger, better, more explosive atop an anti-colonial message. “Oppressed in all three / In addition to lack of unity, ignorance is the third issue,” Moctar sings for Niger, Mali and Algeria on “Sousoume Tamacheq,” a rallying cry for the Tuareg people. And at the foundation is one of the most exciting rock bands in years.

— Maybe the UK-pop firebrand Rachel Chinouriri first hit your timeline when the music video for her song “Never Need Me” featured an unlikely star, the actor Florence Pugh. Or maybe it is from one of her many viral moments on TiKTok (“So My Darling,” anyone?), or from her malleable EPs, 2019’s “Mama’s Boy,” 2021’s “Four In Winter,” and 2022’s “Better Off Without.” Whatever the case, it is time to prepare for her alternative pop in the form of a debut album, “What a Devastating Turns of Events,” out Friday. Begin with the whistled-hook and talk-sung lyrics of single “It Is What It Is.”

— AP Music Writer Maria Sherman

— The long-awaited third season of “Hacks,” starring Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder returns May 2. The show picks up about a year after the finale of season two, with its two stars seemingly worlds apart. Smart’s Deborah Vance is at the top of her stand-up game in Las Vegas and Einbinder’s Ava is busy working as a writer in Los Angeles. The separation doesn’t last long as the two can’t seem to quit each other. Another reason to tune in? The comedic duo Paul W. Downs and Megan Stalter (playing agent Jimmy and his not at all trusty assistant, Kayla) have been bumped up to series regulars. The first two episodes of “Hacks” are now out on Max.

— Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds continue their grand experiment of owning a football club on season three of FX’s “Welcome to Wrexham.” We begin with a rewind to last summer –- with the Red Dragons on a high, touring America and enjoying the perks of upgrades to their facility. “Welcome to Wrexham” season 3 debuted Thursday on FX. Streams next day on Hulu.

— While fans wait for the sixth and final season of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” a new Elisabeth Moss series called “The Veil” is coming to Hulu from FX. The series takes place in the high-stakes world of international espionage with Moss portraying a MI6 agent. “I can change into anything, become 100 strangers,” Moss says in the show’s trailer. “The Veil” is streaming now on Hulu.

— We watched Selena Gomez learn to cook over Zoom for four seasons of “Selena + Chef,” and now she’s ready to say “Yes, Chef!” in restaurant kitchens. In her new Food Network series “Selena + Restaurant,” Gomez and her bestie Raquelle Stevens visit popular LA-area restaurants to try to create a dish that would make the menu. The show is now on Food Network and streams on Max.

— The best-selling book “The Tatooist of Auschwitz” by Heather Morris has been adapted as a limited series for Peacock. It tells the true story of a Slovakian Jewish man named Lale Sokolov, sent to Auschwitz and given the job of tattooing fellow prisoners. He ends up falling in love with a girl named Gita. The story is told through flashbacks and Harvey Keitel plays an older Lale, recounting the experience to Morris — played by Melanie Lynskey. The series debuted Thursday on Peacock.

— The comedy festival Netflix is a Joke is upping the ante by offering some events live on the streamer. Katt Williams, known for his no holds barred commentary is set to go live with a stand-up set called “Woke Folk” on Saturday. And Kevin Hart will host “The Roast of Tom Brady” on May 5. “I played in the NFL, so I’m not worried about a bunch of comedians, trust me,” taunted the seven-time Super Bowl winner in a video shared with NBC’s “TODAY “show. Brady says he does not know who will appear to roast him.

— Alicia Rancilio

— Judging from the polls, a lot of Americans aren’t happy with their choices in this fall’s presidential election. Thank goodness for The Political Machine 2024, which lets you create your own White House candidate from scratch. Sure, you can play as Donald Trump, Joe Biden, or an also-ran like Ron DeSantis or Nikki Haley, but why not try to get yourself or your grandma or your favorite teacher elected? Publisher Stardock, best known for intergalactic strategy epics like Sins of a Solar Empire, has cranked up The Political Machine every four years since 2004, and this season’s edition adds primaries, debates and action cards that “undermine your opponents and bolster your campaign.” Hit the stump on PC.

— Lou Kesten

Catch up on AP’s entertainment coverage here: https://apnews.com/entertainment.

Dua Lipa poses for a portrait to promote her new album "Radical Optimism" on Friday, April 26, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Drew Gurian/Invision/AP)

Wrexham Co-Owner Rob McElhenney, left, chats on the pitch after the English League Two soccer match between Wrexham and Stockport at the Racecourse Ground Stadium in Wrexham, Wales, Saturday, April 27, 2024. Wrexham AFC got promoted to League One.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

This image released by Netflix shows Melissa McCarthy, from left, Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan in a scene from "Unfrosted." (Netflix via AP)

This cover image released by Warner Music shows “Radical Optimism” by Dua Lipa. (Warner via AP)

This cover image released by Matador shows “Funeral for Justice” by Mdou Moctar. (Matador via AP)

This image released by Elektra Records shows “What a Devastating Turn of Events" by Rachel Chinouriri. (Elektra Records via AP)

This image released by Focus Features shows Dominic Sessa, from left, Paul Giamatti and Da'Vine Joy Randolph in a scene from "The Holdovers." (Seacia Pavao/Focus Features via AP)

This combination of images fshows promotional art for the Hulu series "The Veil," left, the Hulu series "Welcome to Wrexham," center, and the comedy series "Hacks." (Hulu/Hulu/Max via AP)