• Bey kept it short and sweet, dedicating her win of Best Female Artist to her "angel," Whitney Houston. Queen Bey also won Video Director of the Year with Alan Ferguson for "We like to Party."
  • In the Video of the Year category, Beyonce was nominated for both "Love on Top" and "Countdown" against Jay-Z and Kanye for "[N-word] in Paris" and "Otis." It was The Throne who walked away with the win. After they were presented with the award by Kerry Washington and Jamie Fox, Jay-Z mocked Kanye imitating his infamous bum rush of Taylor Swift at the Video Music Awards, saying, "Excuse me Kanye, I'ma let you continue but..." The crowd broke into laughter. Kim Kardashian clapped it up for her man when Kanye and Jay won Best Group.
  • Crowd favorite, Chris Brown came out on top against big names like Usher, Miguel, Trey Songz, and Bruno Mars for Best Male R&B Artist. 
  • And to no one's surprise, Nicki Minaj snagged Best Female Hip-Hop Artist. Before exiting the stage with fellow YMCMB members, in one of her animated voices, Nicki suggested other rappers "step their [private parts] up."

Big Performances

  • G.O.O.D Music members Big Sean, Pusha T, 2 Chainz, and Kanye West opened the show and lived up to their name with a medley of their latest hit "Mercy" which segued into "Theraflu/Way Too Cold." Yeezy then wrapped it up by spitting a insane a cappella freestyle while the audience stomped and clapped along.
  • In all black everything, Nicki Minaj performed "Champion" and later shed a layer of clothes for "Beez in the Trap" with 2 Chainz.
  • The crowd was on their feet for D'Angelo's highly anticipated first televised performance in 12 years. He flawlessly belted out his classic hit "How Does it Feel," followed by new song "Sugar Daddy."
  • Performing in her memory of Whitney Houston was her mother, Cissy Houston, whose rendition of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" left members of the crowd in tears, including Beyonce and Melanie Fiona. Also performing was Whitney's brother Gary Houston, followed by moving performances from Chaka Khan, Brandy and Monica. Mariah Carey broke into tears while reminiscing about her relationship with Whitney before giving the stage to Monica, who sang "You Give You Good Love."

Tyler Perry presented Frankie Beverly with the Lifetime Achievement Award and covers of his music were performed by R&B artists Joe, Tyrese, and Faith Evans. Afterwards, Frankie took the stage with Mazefor "We Are One" and "Before I Let Go," but he sounded pretty hoarse.

BET Awards Winners

Best New Artist
Big Sean
 
Best Male R&B Artist
Chris Brown

Best Female R&B Artist
Beyonce

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
Drake

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Nicki Minaj

Best Group
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West)

Best Collaboration
"Lotus Flower Bomb," Wale feat Miguel

Video of the Year
"Otis," The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West)

Video Director of the Year
Beyonce and Alan Ferguson
 
Best Gospel
Yolanda Adams

YoungStars Award
Diggy Simmons

Viewers' Choice Award
"Hello," Mindless Behavior
 
Centric Award
Common
 
Best International Act: U.K.
Wretch 32

Best International Act: Africa
Sarkodie (Ghana)

Best Actress
Viola Davis

Best Actor
Kevin Hart

Best Movie
The Help

Sportswoman of the Year
Serena Williams

Sportsman of the Year
Kevin Durant

Life Time Achievement Award
Frankie Beverly

BET Humanitarian Award
 Reverand Al Sharpton