Kanye West Leads BET Award Winners Plus Keys, Ne-Yo, Lil Wayne Issue Rousing Performances

Kanye West led Tuesday’s 8th Annual BET Award winners earning Best Male Hip Hop Artist and Best Collaboration amongst a night full of rousing performances, show stopping reunions and unforgettable moments. Kicking off the night, Usher performed his hit “Love In This Club” in a pyrotechnic filled and highly choreographed set setting the pace for an energy filled night of amazing performances. But the ladies claimed the night, when Alicia Keys took the stage to perform her latest hit “Teenage Love Affair” later unveiling a line up of iconic R&B female groups including SWV, En Vouge and TLC. Performing hits including SWV’s “Weak,” En Vouge’s “Hold On,” and TLC’s “Waterfalls,” the ladies brought the house down. Even Kanye West was on his feet, singing along. “This performance was surreal,” SWV’s Leanne Lyons said backstage. “When we got the call that Alicia Keys was one of our biggest fans and that she wanted one of her favorite groups from the ’90s to perform with her, it humbled us.” Five-Time nominee, T-Pain hit the stage twice at the awards sporting his iced out top hat stating “This industry is my circus,” “Ride with the ringleader.” The “ringmaster” shared the stage with Flo Rida, Rick Ross, Ludacris, DJ Khaled and Big Boi, later joining Lil Wayne who closed out the show with “A Milli” and “Lollipop.” In addition to performances from Rihanna, Keyshia Cole, Young Jeezy and a surprisingly dance filled performance from Ne Yo, the tribute to Al Green, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award quickly became one of the nights most memorable moments. Presented by John Legend, Green’s tribute kicked off with Jill Scott’s performance of “Still In Love,” followed by Anthony Hamilton and an unexpected performance from R&B/Soul singer Maxwell who ushered in Green’s performance of the classic hits “Let’s Stay Together” and “Love and Happiness.” Queen Latifah introduced Humanitarian Award recipient Quincy Jones, calling him “an international artist, an innovator … and a leader.” “He showed us black entertainment is more than just a hustle,” she said. “It’s more than just selling albums. It’s about inspiration.” Jones said growing up on the south side of Chicago during the depression moved him to give back to people in need. “My piece of bread only belongs to me if everybody has a piece to eat,” he said. Receiving the award “is one of the very treasured moments of my life,” Jones said, “and I always hope to live up to this honor.” The following is a complete list of winners from the BET AWARDS ’08: Best Female R&B Artist Alicia Keys Best Male R&B Artist Chris Brown Best Group UGK Best Gospel Artist Marvin Sapp Best Female Hip Hop Artist Missy Elliott Best Male Hip Hop Artist Kanye West Best New Artist The Dream Best Collaboration Kanye West f/ T-Pain “Good Life” Best Video Director Erykah Badu and Mr. Roboto Video of the Year UGK f/ Outkast “International Player’s Anthem (I Choose You)” Best Actor Denzel Washington Best Actress Halle Berry Male Athlete of the Year Kobe Bryant Female Athlete of the Year Candace Parker BET J Award Raheem DeVaughn Viewers’ Choice Award Lil Wayne f/ Static “Lollipop” In addition to awards announced during the show, BET issued several awards during the 106 & Park – Live From The Red Carpet Show as follows: Shut Up and Dance Award Soulja Boy – “Crank Dat (Soulja Boy)” LOL – Laugh Out Loud Award Hot Stylz f/ Yung Joc “Lookin’ Boy” Drama Kings & Queens Award Alicia Keys “Teenage Love Affair” Life of the Party Award Florida “Low”

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