Best of BET: High’s and Low’s at the annual Black Entertainment Awards

Hosted by comedian D.L. Hughley and held at the historic Shrine Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles, the BET Awards has now become television’s number 1 entertainment award show.

Now in its 8th year, the show has boasted unforgettable moments and show stopping performances and appearances such as Michael Jackson’s surprise appearance during James Brown’s tribute; the late Rick James in his final duet with Teena Marie; the celebration of 25 years of hip-hop with  legends Sugar Hill Gang, Slick Rick, MC Lyte and Public Enemy all performing and making that event the highest rated show in the networks history; Destiny’s Child’s steamy lap dance; the reunion of one of hip hop’s most beloved trios, The Fugees; and last year’s touching opening performance with Jennifer Hudson and Jennifer Holliday.

With presenters from LL Cool J. to Lauren London, Jennifer Hudson to Mary Mary, Maxwell stole the show with an electrifying tribute to legendary R&B icon Al Green, who received BET’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Maxwell, who hasn’t performed in 5 years, stepped out of retirement after being coaxed by Stephen Hill, executive vice president of entertainment and music programming at BET. “It all started with a text.” Hill informed reporters backstage. “I asked him if he would be interested and his response was an outstanding WOW.”

Quincy Jones was also honored with BET’s prestigious Humanitarian Award for his outreach to young African-Americans through the Listen Up Foundation.

Tagged as “the hottest ticket on television,” Usher kicked off the show with plenty of pyrotechnics and some fancy footwork on a conveyer belt as he performed “Love in this Club,” at one point sliding through the legs of three female dancers whilst Kanye West, despite a couple of false starts, brought the audience to its feet when he joined Young Jeezy for “Put On.”

90’s phenomenon SWV (Sisters with Voices), TLC and En-Vogue got fans cheering when they joined Alicia Keys onstage for medley of R&B hits and all later told Trendy Africa they attended the event to support Keys who is one of their favorite female singers.

Ne-Yo showed off his dancing skills with a very versatile routine, which included frat stepping and some fancy foot-gliding whilst the paring of Ciara and Chris Brown provided the best dance moves of the evening. 

Samantha Ofole-Prince is a professional entertainment journalist who frequently covers events in the Los Angeles area and can be reached on [email protected]

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