S. Samuel
Rap stars Nicki Minaj, Diddy, Kanye West and more lit up the 2011 BET Awards ceremony Sunday (June 26) night stealing the spotlight with trophy wins.
Along with the hip-hop acts, R&B star Chris Brown avoided heading home empty handed.
Chris Brown beat out Cee Lo Green, Bruno Mars, Trey Songz and Usher for Best Male R&B Artist at the 2011 BET Awards. It was a Smith-fest for the YoungStars Award as Willow Smith and Jaden Smith took home trophies. All hail Nicki Minaj, who beat out Diamond, Cymphonique and Lola Monroe for Best Female Hip Hop Artist. Congrats to Diddy Dirty Money, who took home the Best Group Award. Condolences to N.E.R.D., Cali Swag District, New Boyz and Travis Porter. (BET)
In addition to Yeezy, Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne also snagged gold.
Chris Brown ft. Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes for “Look at Me Now” took home the Best Collaboration Award. Kanye West took home the trophy for Best Male Hip Hop Artist, beating out B.o.B, Drake, Lil Wayne and Rick Ross. (BET)
Rap newcomer Wiz Khalifa took home the “Best New Artist” trophy.
The “Black and Yellow” hitmaker kissed his girlfriend Amber Rose before coming to the stage to collect his award. “I’m not used to winning stuff, so I didn’t come with no speech tonight,” he humbly said. “But I want to thank everybody at Rostrum Records, … all my fans, Taylor [Gang] and all the young people who promote positivity and just enjoying yourself, this is for y’all.” (Ace Showbiz)
Outside of the acceptance speeches, the show provided viewers with multiple performances.
Mary J. Blige opened the ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium, performing her hits “All Night Long” and “Real Love” before being joined by Anita Baker. The divas performed a duet of “Caught Up in the Rapture.” Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled and Ace Hood shared the stage for “Hustle Hard.” Alicia Keys unveiled a new song, before lapsing into “A Woman’s Worth,” for which she was joined by Bruno Mars, and her breakthrough hit, “Fallin’.” (570 News)
Check out footage from the ceremony below:
