Surprise! Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar Kick off the BET Awards With Explosive Performance of 'Freedom'

When it comes to surprise performances, you can't get much better than the BET Awards' opening act!

Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar kicked off the awards show with a jaw-dropping performance of her song "Freedom," and leave it to Queen Bey to deliver an outstanding opening number.

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The celebrated artist brought the stunning set-up she uses for her massive Formation World Tour to the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, including a enormous shallow pool she and her back-up dancers splash around in, and an impressive pyrotechnic display.

Rocking a skin-tight, semi-sheer, black patterned leotard, Beyoncé led her army of dancers through a bombastic performance of her hit single off Lemonade.

WATCH: Beyonce Stuns With Epic 'Formation' Tour Costumes -- See All the Amazing Looks!

As Beyonce began her final verse, the lighting dipped from a fiery orange to a deep, brooding red as Lamar rose up out of the stage in front of the dancers and rocked his portion of the song with his face basked in a crimson glow.

Lamar joined Beyonce as they sang together, kicking up arcs of water as they dominated the stage and proved to the world just how epic the powerful track and the Formation singer's stage presence really is.

WATCH: Kendrick Lamar Gets Standing Ovation For Fiery Performance at the GRAMMYs

Both artists' strong political message and impassioned, meaningful lyrics were a perfect way to kick off this year's BET Awards, where they are both nominated in some of the night's biggest categories.

Beyonce is nominated for five awards, including Best Female R&B/Pop Artist and Video of the Year for her "Formation" music video, and Best Collaboration for her work with Nicki Minaj on the song "Feeling Myself."

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Lamar is nominated for two awards, including Best Male Hip Hop Artist and is actually facing off against Beyonce in the Video of the Year category with his "Alright" music video.

Earlier this year, Beyonce slayed the Super Bowl 50 half time show with an explosive performance of her song "Formation," and told ET's Kevin Frazier after the show that she wrote the song because she "wanted people to feel proud and have love for themselves." Check out the video below to hear more.

EXCLUSIVE: Beyonce on Halftime Show Performance and 'Formation': 'I Wanted People to Feel Proud'

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