The BET Network is literally short for “Black Entertainment Television,” so people were understandably confused when Jack Harlow was nominated for a 2021 BET Award in the Best New Artist, Best Male Hip Hop and Best Collaboration categories.
The “WHAT’S POPPIN” rapper showed up at Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater on Sunday night (June 27) dressed to the nines and rubbed shoulders with the culture’s elite.
But Twitter couldn’t help but wonder … why? Tweet after tweet poured in criticizing the network for allowing a white rapper to receive the honor, much like they did Eminem when he was first nominated for a BET Award in 2001 for the “Stan” video featuring Dido.
Eminem's 'Killer (Remix)' Featuring Cordae + Jack Harlow Is Here
Eminem would go on to received additional nominations in 2003, 2010 and 2012 but never actually took home an award. Over the years, he was seemingly more welcomed at BET. In 2017, Eminem appeared at the BET Hip Hop Awards and delivered a scathing verse aimed at Donald Trump. But considering Jack Harlow only recently got on rap’s radar, he’s got a long road ahead of him to reach an Eminem-like level of acceptance. (But hey, at least he has the “Killer” (Remix) collab with Slim Shady and Cordae.
Although Harlow left the BET Awards empty-handed, the 23-year-old was all smiles as he stepped onto the red carpet. It’s a night he’ll likely never forget — and neither will Twitter.
Check out some of the reactions below.
Hiphop itself isnt just limited to black people, of course white people have some what of an awkward history in hiphop. But the narrative that white people can’t be apart of it because they aren’t black is literally racist. Culture is the way a group of people act. Not the way they look.
You’ll never speak or use this site again I’m suing you now
You’re mocking me and im sick of it , Im the only one!!
You’re right. Any legitimate white rapper, such as Eminem, who was equally talented or more talented deserved that stage. And BET gave it to them.
But Jack “Give her that Paynus” Harlow is a joke. I’m embarrassed for him and anyone who likes him. How lame are white boy teenagers right now that you’d listen to that ridiculous garbage and think, “Legend.” Even Eminem is over here like, “Well, I’ll do a video with him to score some points with my teenage stans, but GD he sucks.”
LOL Eminem who is equally talented?? wth are you even talking about. Just get out of here
Evidently they need to change the awards to best “black” everything and yet y’all wonder why America is so divided right now.
Wait, are you trying to tell me that the internet are crying about something? I’M SHOCKED!!!!
Black people allow white people into the “culture” then get mad when white people take over, and profit from the culture. Example, Miley Cyrus
Well they’re still one step ahead of white people, who “let” black people into nothing. And then pick the first white person that fits the suit and then overlooks every other black rapper more talented.
I’m embarrassed for BET. Jack Harlow is embarrassingly bad. You can argue Eminem had some talent, earned his stripes, but from the moment Jack Harlow rapped “I’ma give her that Paynus,” 276 million Americans groaned and died of embarrassment lol It’s so stupid
Ya but everyone knows all award shows are this way. Even multiple artists who have won awards say it. It’s just another award show snubbing the more talented and worthy artist.
Miley was a vulture tho so you can see why black folks are hesitant.
I am a white rapper and I’ve always been sceptical of white rappers lol. Gotta show and prove first
Hypocrite
How do you not see your own racism in ideas like this …. “The Culture” has to be one of the stupidest statements ever created … and your even stupider than that statement if you believe anyone owns a culture lmao ignorant segregationists
Lmao hip hop is black culture, it’s our people our language and our form of representation. Your dumbass if you think otherwise. Would you tell Mexicans they don’t own tejano music ? Or Asians that the idol music isn’t their culture?
Black people did not create hip-hop in a vacuum playboy … do a little research and it’s easy to see …. And without the white consumer …. Hip-hop wouldn’t be a viable option to make money … so you are welcome … and what about all those inventions and cultural evolution that black people use and have acquired because they deem it cool … you are a sad segregationist and a hypocrite
Shut your dumb ass up. You sound stupid as hell, dude.
I have no problem with a white rapper with a fuckton of talent winning something like this. Beastie Boys are the only ones who’d have ever deserved it.
Jack Harlow is ass trash. It’s laughable. “I’ma give her that panis.” lmao WTF is a Paynis.
Just a joke. Eazy-E is rolling in his grave.
Jack Harlow is so bad that I can’t even get through a song without laughing.
“I’ma give her that paynus!”
*dies of shame for this dude*
Welp that’s the end of hip-hop if that’s the best it’s got.
Music is an art and is about all cultures. The different races need to stop thinking they own anything. We are a melting pot and always have been. Move on with this ‘culture’ crap.
This is pretty simple. Lil Nas X is trash. Not sure why this is difficult to understand.
They’re both trash. The end.
First and foremost, Trump 2024. Fuck BET, fuck this garbage website and it’s programming. Where’s Topher? Bryson Gray? Tom Macdonald? Y’all report and promote trash. Cancer.
tom mcdonald is ass
Tom Macdonald? wth would you even throw that clown into this. Complains about our country but he’s from Canada and lived there a very very long time. Almost every Canadian I’ve met don’t like Americans. That guy is phony af get him out of here
Name one phony thing
Dumbest article I’ve seen. This is what is keeping the country divided
This dude won’t last long just going to get about 15 minutes then it’s over, so obvious
Then why do white people invite black people to the Oscar’s?! ….black people really racist, complaining about racism but y’all the ones who wanna keep the people divided!
EXACTLY !!!
Gtfoh. Black ppl just started getting some notice at the fake azz set up Oscar’s joke. 1929. Man ppl need to learn. Talking about black ppl really racist. You sound like a pos idiotic fool. And I’m not even black but wtd would black ppl want to keep ppl divided? That makes no dam since. You are an uneducated racist fool who needs help mentally
BET named Eminem the best rapper of the 21st century lmao don’t believe me look it up. Then I want to hear the excuses after……..
And what is wrong in that?
Cause he’s Not. Nit even in the top 10
B.E.T. is cracka owned.
Yeah he’s white but he does music of black origin.
Its literally as simple as that but I know why people mad.
Cause it’s just something else for people to be mad at. Especially black people. Not a racist but my god must it be every little thing that results in it being reverse racism
Umm usually when someone starts off saying I’m not a Racist chances are that they are. Lol. You’re Definitely a prejudice racist idiot talking about it’s something for ppl to be mad at, Esp Black ppl. Wtf.not about reverse racism . You need to learn more about black culture 1st before you try and speak on something you know bleep about. Do you think black ppl like to be mad you fool. I hate a Racist pos but what I hate more is a fake phony Racist who try and act as they aren’t.
Umm usually when someone starts off saying I’m not a Racist chances are that they are. Lol. You’re Definitely a prejudice racist idiot talking about it’s something for ppl to be mad at, Esp Black ppl. Wtf.not about reverse racism . You need to learn more about black culture 1st before you try and speak on something you know bleep about. Do you think black ppl like to be mad you fool. I hate a Racist pos but what I hate more is a fake phony Racist who try and act as they aren’t
Black lives matter
Not sure whose painus, but if it’s BET why are there so many is it too much??
And if everyone’s so divided why is it pleasantly integrated most places I’ve been, except when it isn’t.