The energy was absolutely electric at this year’s BET Awards. Max B and French Montana hit the stage and immediately reminded everyone why New York hip-hop still commands serious respect. Their performance of “Ever Since U Left Me (I Went Deaf)” wasn’t just a set. It was a statement.
Max B came through in all black, looking sharp and focused, while French held it down with that signature swagger. The female dancers added serious visual flair, and that beat switch mid-verse? Perfect touch that kept the crowd on its toes. You could tell these two had been waiting for this moment.
And then Rick Ross jumped in for “Minks In Miami.” All three of them rocking fur coats while pyrotechnics went off behind them was the kind of theatrical hip-hop moment we don’t see enough of. It felt cinematic, almost like a victory lap for all three artists, though for Max B the stakes felt different. This was his big comeback performance after getting out of prison, and you could feel that weight in the room.
The song itself has been absolutely everywhere lately. “Ever Since U Left Me (I Went Deaf)” topped Billboard’s US Rhythmic Airplay chart, which is no small feat in today’s streaming landscape. It samples KC and the Sunshine Band’s “That’s the Way (I Like It)” in a way that works, which is honestly harder to pull off than people realize. The track already spawned a West Coast remix with Ty Dolla Sign and a Big Bronx remix with Remy Ma, so the duo has been keeping the momentum going hard.
What makes this whole thing interesting is the timing. French and Max B were nominated for Best Group at the show, which feels like a recognition of their chemistry more than anything. They’ve been building toward this moment for years, and seeing it all come together at the BET Awards felt earned. Ross, meanwhile, was celebrating his fifth time performing at the BET Awards, with his last appearance dating all the way back to 2012. The math lines up perfectly too. It’s been about a decade since he took the stage at the BETs, and this year also marks the 20th anniversary of his debut album Port of Miami, the one that gave us “Hustlin” and changed everything for him.
The 2026 BET Awards went down at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, hosted by Druski. The rest of the lineup was stacked too. Cardi B, Doechii, Kehlani, Tems, Queen Latifah, Jill Scott, and Don Toliver all performed. But honestly, the Max B, French Montana, Rick Ross moment was the one people will be talking about when the hype dies down. Sometimes a performance isn’t just entertainment. It’s a reminder of how much the culture owes to the artists who stayed in the lab even when the world wasn’t watching.
