The BET Awards
were established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past year. The awards are presented annually and broadcast live on BET. BET commissioned Artist/Sculptor and Hip Hop culture icon Carlos Mare139 Rodriguez to design the Award sculpture.
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BET AWARDS TICKETS
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Locations
The inaugural ceremonies in 2001 were held at the
Paris resort on the
Las Vegas Strip. From 2002 through 2005, the
Kodak Theatre in
Hollywood hosted the ceremonies. Since 2006, the awards have been held at the
Shrine Auditorium in
Los Angeles.
Hosts
- 2001: Steve Harvey & Cedric the Entertainer
- 2002: Steve Harvey & Cedric the Entertainer
- 2003: Mo'Nique
- 2004: Mo'Nique
- 2005: Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith
- 2006: Damon Wayans
- 2007: Mo'Nique
- 2008: D. L. Hughley
- 2009: Jamie Foxx
Performers
Award categories
R&B
Groups
Hip Hop
New Artist
Gospel
Music video
Lifetime Achievement & Humanitarian
The BET Lifetime Achievement and Humanitarian Award recipients, along with the nominees for other categories are announced in a press conference. At the awards ceremony a mini-documentary is shown covering the honoree's life. The awards are given out separately.
The
BET Lifetime Achievement Award
is given a R&B, pop, and soul artist or group who has been a recording artist (or group) for numerous years and is known for their notable contributions to the music industry. The honoree is paid tribute to by current popular singers who perform the honoree's most recognized songs. The honoree will usually perform themselves after being paid tribute.
In
2002, at the second annual BET Awards the category for the
BET Award Humanitarian Award
was created. The Humanitarian Award is given a celebrity
philanthropist who donates their time and money to a charitable cause.
Viewer's Choice
BET Award MVP's
Artists, athletes, and actors who have earned 10 or more career nominations:
| Performer
| Total Nominations
| Wins
| Category Breakdown
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| Beyonce
| 16
| 6
| Best Actress (2)
Best Female R&B Artist (4)
Best Collaboration (3)
Video of the Year (4)
Viewer's Choice (3)
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| Ludacris
| 13
| 5
| Best Male Hip-Hop Artist (4)
Video of the Year (2)
Best Collaboration (5)
Viewer's Choice (1)
Best Actor (1)
|
| Jay-Z
| 16
| 3
| Best Male Hip-Hop Artist (7)
Video of the Year (2)
Best Collaboration (5)
Viewer's Choice (2)
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| Lil' Wayne
| 12
| 3
| Best Male Hip-Hop Artist (3)
Best Collaboration(3)
Viewer's Choice (6)
|
| Alicia Keys
| 10
| 4
| Best New Artist
Best Female R&B Artist (4)
Best Collaboration (1)
Video of the Year (2)
Viewer's Choice (2)
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| Jamie Foxx
| 11
| 3
| Best Actor (3)
Best Male R&B Artist (2)
Best Collaboration (4)
Video of the Year (2)
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| Kanye West
| 15
| 5
| Best New Artist
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist (5)
Best Collaboration (2)
Video of the Year (4)
Viewer's Choice (2)
Best Gospel Artist(1)
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| T.I.
| 11
| 3
| Video of the Year
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist (4)
Best Collaboration (3)
Viewer's Choice (3)
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2009 tribute to Michael Jackson
After the death of
Michael Jackson, BET re-organized most of the 2009 BET Awards ceremony to commemorate the artist's life. Host
Jamie Foxx said, "We want to celebrate this black man. He belongs to us and we shared him with everybody else." The show was revised within three days of its airing on June 28, 2009, with several artists changing their original planned routine to sing many of Michael Jackson's songs, including songs he sang as a member of
The Jackson Five as well as songs in his solo career.
[1] His father,
Joseph Jackson, and former confidant, Reverend
Al Sharpton were present as audience members throughout the show.
Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson's sister made an appearance at the finale of the show, and spoke briefly on behalf of the
Jackson family.
The show itself set an all-time ratings high with a 5.8 rating (over its previous high of 3.7 million) and overall saw a 61 percent increase over its 2008 broadcast.
[2] The tribute was criticized by viewers who thought most of the tribute although not intended was a disrespect to Michael Jackson.
These were the tributes to the King of Pop throughout the show such as:
New Edition gave tribute to the
Jackson 5 by singing
"ABC". Host
Jamie Foxx performed "
Beat It" and moon walked across the stage.
Ne-Yo singing Michael Jackson's "Lady in My Life."
Ciara performed Jackson's "
Heal the World".
Keri Hilson gave tribute by adding a few
Michael Jackson moves in her dance routine.
Beyonce singing a part of
Sarah McLachlan's song "Angel", which was probably in memory of Jackson. Also, when she won the award for Best Female Artist, she dedicated it to Jackson, who she called her hero.
Janet Jackson giving tribute to her brother by giving a short, tearful speech to the audience at the awards, she said:
"To you Michael is an icon. To us Michael is family. And he will forever live in all of our hearts. On behalf of my family and myself,thank you for all of the love, thank you for all of the support. We miss him so much. Thank you."
NE-YO and Jamie Foxx performed the Jackson 5's "
I'll Be There".
References
- cnn.com, BET Awards to pay tribute to Jackson, accessed July 2, 2009.
- seattlepi.com, Ratings: Jackson Tribute Leads BET Awards to All-Time High, Disney Queens Rule, and More, accessed July 2, 2009.