Drake won big at the 2014 BET Hip Hop Awards, picking up four awards, and Common made a statement, bringing Michael Brown’s parents onstage during his performance.

Drake was easily the biggest winner of the night, earning a total of four awards, including ones for Album of the Year, Best Hip Hop Video and Best Live Performer. But it was the performances from Common and Queen Latifah that stole the show.

Common Brings Michael Brown's Parents Onstage

Common performed “Kingdom” at the Hip Hop Awards, a song for which he also won Best Impact Track, and dedicated his song to those marginalized in the country, specifically African Americans. To bring his point home, Common welcomed the parents of Michael Brown, Michael Brown Sr. and Lesley McSpadden, to the stage. Michael Brown was shot and killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri, and his death has caused a major string of protests across the country.

“We do this for the people. Black people all around this country in America that go through the struggle. We do this for our lost soldiers, our fallen soldiers. We bring to you the parents of Mike Brown,” Common said.

Audience members stood up for Brown’s parents, and Common, who performed alongside Vince Staples and Jay Electronica, concluded the performance standing with Brown’s parents, hands up in surrender. The crowd stood and copied the gesture, ending the powerful performance with a moment of silence.

Another performance highlight came courtesy of Queen Latifah, Brandy, YG and MC Lyte, who reunited onstage to perform the remix of “I Wanna Be Down.”

Full List Of Winners:

Album of the Year: Drake – Nothing Was the Same
Best Club Banger: Future – “Move That Dope”
Best Collab, Duo or Group: YG ft. Jeezy & Rich Homie Quan – “My Ni—a”
Best Hip Hop Video: Drake – “Worst Behavior”
Best Live Performer: Drake
Best Mixtape: Wiz Khalifa – 28 Grams
DJ of the Year: Dr. Dre
Hustler of the Year: Dr. Dre
Impact Track: Common ft. Vince Staples – “Kingdom”
Lyricist of the Year: Kendrick Lamar
Made You Look Award: Nicki Minaj
MVP of the Year: DJ Mustard
Producer of the Year: DJ Mustard
Sweet 16: Best Feature Verse: Kendrick Lamar – “Control”
Track of the Year: YG ft. Jeezy & Rich Homie Quan – “My Ni—a”
Video Director of the Year: Hype Williams
Who Blew Up Award: Iggy Azalea
People’s Champ Award: Drake
Best Hip Hop Online: WorldStarHipHop
I Am Hip Hop: Doug E. Fresh

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Article by Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Olivia Truffaut-Wong was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where she developed her love of all things entertainment. After moving to New York City to earn her degree in Film Studies, she stayed on the East Coast to follow her passion and become an entertainment writer. She lives on a diet of television, movies and food.