Watch Latto’s Emotional BET Awards Acceptance Speech | Video

Latto scooped up her first main music honor throughout the BET Awards on June 26, profitable the title of greatest new artist. The “Big Energy” rapper’s real shock was evident as she took the stage at Microsoft Theater to just accept her trophy from presenters Idris Elba and Will Packer. Wiping away tears, she exclaimed, “Oh my god, I stated I wasn’t gonna cry. It’s giving boss b*tch.” She thanked God, her mother, and her staff earlier than mentioning the Supreme Court’s current choice to overturn Roe v. Wade, a subject many other attendees also brought up through the ceremony. “It’s giving pro-choice. It’s by no means giving a person policing my physique,” she added as the group cheered her on.

The star concluded, “I’m so grateful. If you realize me and my story, it has been a very long time coming. I’m so appreciative. My first award, and it is my first award by Black Entertainment Television, interval. And shout-out to all the opposite artists within the class, you all deserve it simply as a lot as me.” Latto was nominated for the award alongside Muni Long, Tems, Baby Keem, and Yung Bleu. The win actually is a very long time coming for the Atlanta native, who’s been making a reputation for herself within the music trade since age 10, received season one of many Lifetime actuality sequence “The Rap Game” in 2016, and has been dropping music since then.

Later on through the BET Awards, Latto took the stage to perform her hit “Big Energy” and introduced out Mariah Carey for a shock cameo towards the top. Other massive moments on the award present included Lizzo’s opening performance of “About Damn Time,” the star-studded Diddy tribute, and Jazmine Sullivan’s heartfelt acceptance speech encouraging males to advocate for abortion rights.