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

Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar Open 2016 BET Awards With Fiery Perfo…

Dominique Fishback Reacts to 'Swarm' and 'Transformers' Fame (Ex…

2023 Kids’ Choice Awards: Charli D’Amelio, Landon Barker, Halle …

Keith Urban's Vegas Show Features ‘Good Surprise’ of Nicole Kidm…

Megan Thee Stallion Called 'Auntie' Beyoncé for 'Renaissance' To…

2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards: How ‘Everything Everywhere’…

Angela Bassett Reacts to Ariana DeBose BAFTA Rap Shoutout (Exclu…

Hannah Waddingham Fangirls Over 'Abbott Elementary' and Shares D…

Idris Elba Reveals Meghan Markle’s Secret Talent

Oscars 2023 Fashion: All the Show-Stopping Looks and Trends

Brendan Fraser Turns Oscars Night Into Family Affair (Exclusive)

'Corn Kid' Tariq Day Reveals He Stopped Eating Corn! (Exclusive)

Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox Working Through ‘Trust Issues’ (…

PGA Awards 2023: Tom Cruise and More Big Star Moments

Eva Longoria Jokes She Avoided the Oscars All These Years Becaus…

Watch Billie Eilish's Acting Debut in Sneak Peek of EP Donald Gl…

Oscars: Jr NTR Reacts to 'RRR's Win and 'Naatu Naatu' Performanc…

Drew Barrymore Says She and Adam Sandler Are Discussing Next Mov…

Nicholas Braun Describes How Succession Cast Felt About Series t…
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.
MORE: Beyonce, Drake, Rihanna Lead 2016 BET Awards Nominations
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."
PHOTOS: 2016 BET Awards: Red Carpet Arrivals
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.