Sunday night’s Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards , broadcast
live from the Nokia Theatre on BET featured comedian Chris Rock hosting the show, performances by Usher, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Hudson, Lil Wayne and a duet by Jay Z and Beyoncé broadcast via satellite from their concert in Miami.
Pharrell kicked off the program performing “Come Get It Bae” and teamed up with Missy Elliott on her 2003 song “Pass the Dutch.” The awards show also featured performances by Usher, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Hudson, Lil Wayne and a duet by Jay Z and Beyoncé broadcast via satellite from their concert in Miami.
It was Chris Brown’s first time performing since released from jail (after a four month stint), and he chose “Loyal,” alongside Lil Wayne and Tyga.
Up-and-comer August Alsina accepted the first award of the night and later also scored the Coca-Cola viewers’ choice award. His hit song “I Luv this S**t” was performed with Chris Brown and Trey Songz, in one of the most memorable performances of the night.
Accepting her fifth consecutive award for female hip-hop artist, Nicki Minaj gave an intriguing speech about being near death. The ‘Pills N Potions’ rapper went on to stress that she writes all her own material.
She said: “My point is, what I want the world to know about Nicki Minaj, is when you hear Nicki Minaj spit, Nicki Minaj wrote it. No shade.”
Chris Rock was celebrated as an entertaining host, opening the show with jokes aimed at Donald Sterling, and passing out food from Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles to hungry audience
Pharrell won video of the year for “Happy” and best male R&B/Pop artist and later, returned to introduce lifetime achievement award winner Lionel Richie.
Richie’s lifetime achievement award was celebrated with music. The 65-year-old singer-songwriter performed two of his classic hits: the Commodores’ “Easy” and his ‘80s party anthem “All Night Long (All Night).” He called the honor, “magical”.
In the same evening, police said one person was killed and six were injured in a shooting and stabbing at Los Angeles pre-parties to celebrate the awards, BET officials said the violence occurred at events that were “unauthorized and unaffiliated with the BET Awards.
The Winners’ List from the 2014 BET AWARDS:
BET Awards 2014 List of Winners:
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist: Beyoncé
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist: Pharrell Williams
Best Collaboration: Beyoncé featuring Jay Z – Drunk In Love
Best Movie: 12 Years a Slave
Best Actress: Lupita Nyong’o
Best Actor: Chiwetel Ejiofor
Video of the Year: Pharrell Williams – Happy
Best Male Hip Hop Artist: Drake
Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj
Best Group: Young Money
Subway Sportsman of the Year: Kevin Durant
Subway Sportswoman of the Year: Serena Williams
Best Gospel Artist: Tamela Mann
Best New Artist: August Alsina
YoungStars Award: KeKe Palmer
Centric Award: Jhené Aiko – The Worst
Best International Act: Krept & Konan (UK)
Video Director of the Year: Hype Williams
Best International Act: Africa: Davido (Nigeria)
FANdemonium award: Beyonce
Lifetime Achievement: Lionel Richie