The 2014
BET Awards held yesterday Sunday, 29th June 2014 at the Nokia Theatre, Los Angeles. It was a night of electrifying performances, emotional speeches and unforgettable moments.
It was hosted by comedian/actor
Chris Rock.
Young Money and Beyoncé both took home three awards, as did acclaimed film “12 Years A Slave” which swept the film award categories.
Davido scooped up the award for Best International Act – Africa with last year’s winner Ice Prince and actor Sam Sarpong on stage.
Pharrell Williams and August Alsina each won two awards.
Pharrell Williams opened the show with an energetic rendition of “
Come Get It Bae” surrounded by a bevy of cheerleaders, and was joined by surprise performer and fellow Virginia native, the amazing
Missy Elliott, who brought the crowd to their feet to “
Pass That Dutch.”
Williams became a familiar face on the stage after winning both “Best Male R&B/Pop Artist” and “Video of the Year,” and again coming on to present music icon Lionel Richie with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The tribute to Richie included a presentation of classics “Hello” and “Still” by
John Legend and a pulsating rendition of “Brick House” by
Ledisi.
Just before Richie came on stage to accept his award,
Yolanda Adamsdelivered a soulful, inspired performance of “Jesus Is Love,” bringing the crowd to its feet and prompting Richie to admit he was “glad [he] sang the song first.”
Richie showed off his own skills when he sat at the piano and serenaded the audience with “Easy”, then got the crowd dancing along to “All Night Long”.
Chris Brown made a triumphant return to the “BET Awards” stage that drew a standing ovation. He proved he hasn’t missed a beat delivering an incredible performance of “Loyal”, which was amped up even more with appearances by
Lil Wayne, Tyga and
Travis Barker.
Always one to get the crowd going, Lil Wayne got the mosh pit popping with “Krazy” and “Believe Me”.
Jennifer Hudson showed off her incredibly powerful pipes during a performance of “Walk It Out” and debut of her new single “It’s Your World” as a disco roller derby swirled around her. One of today’s hottest rising stars,
Jhené Aiko joined John Legend on stage for one of the most impressive performances of the evening.
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of his first album,
Usher performed an action-packed medley of his biggest hits, including “Yeah!”, “Confessions”, “Caught Up” and “Love In This Club”.
Nicki Minaj gave an dramatic Alice In Wonderland-inspired performance of “Chi-Raq” and “Pills N Potions”, filling the stage with giant mushrooms, a contemporary dancer and a white rabbit.
T.I. showed off his lyrical prowess with “No Mediocre”, while Iggy Azaleawowed the crowd with her skills with her hit single “Fancy”.
Fan and crowd favourite August Alsina, whose earlier performance alongside
Trey Songz and Chris Brown drew squeals from all of the ladies in the house, took home the Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award.
Robin Thicke gave a mesmerizing performance of “Forever Love”; while surprise performers
Troop, Color Me Badd and
Silk scored huge cheers, as each group took the stage for their biggest hits for a ’90s throwback medley of “All I Do Is Think of You”; “I Wanna Sex You Up” and “Freak Me”.
Presenter
Kerry Washington, making her first television appearance since giving birth to daughter
Isabelle in April, got in on the night’s fun with co-presenter
Kevin Hart, who tried to convince the crowd that he was, in fact, Oliver Pope, a reference to Kerry’s alter-ego Olivia Pope on her hit show “Scandal”.
Taking a cue from Ellen DeGeneres‘ pizza delivery at this year’s Oscar Awards, Rock provided the audience with a delivery of Roscoe’s Chicken ‘n Waffles, which they accepted with enthusiasm.
Rock had the crowd laughing throughout the night, thanks to his riffs on a range of hot topics, from Donald Sterling to Jay Z and Solange to Dr. Dreand the Beats/Apple deal.
A taped performance of Beyoncé and Jay-Z of “Partition” capped the epic night, which delivered on its promise to be the hottest ticket in town.
The “BET Awards ’14 drew the biggest names in music, entertainment and sports, with appearances by Gabrielle Union, Keke Palmer, Regina Hall, Larenz Tate, Bow Wow, Keshia Chante, Eva Marcille, Terrence Jenkins, Keyshia Cole, Mike Tyson, Nick Cannon, Zendaya, DeSean Jackson, Boris Kodjoe, Gary Owen, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Chadwick Boseman, Tyrese andNate Parker.
Tim King (Founder, President and CEO of Urban Prep Academies) andDenzel Thompson (a 19-year-old founder and manager of a successful community urban farm and garden) were recognized as the 2014 Shine-A-Light recipients.
The award ceremony will premiere on BET International across Africa tomorrow Tuesday 1st July 2014 at 21:00 WAT | 22:00 CAT (Red carpet begins at 20:00 WAT | 21:00 CAT).
Winners List!
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Pharrell Williams
Best Group
Young Money
Best Collaboration
Beyoncé f/ JAY Z – Drunk In Love
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Drake
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Nicki Minaj
Video of the Year
Pharrell Williams – Happy
Video Director of the Year
Hype Williams
Best New Artist
August Alsina
Best Gospel Artist
Tamela Mann
Best Actress
Lupita Nyong’o
Best Actor
Chiwetel Ejiofor
YoungStars Award
KeKe Palmer
Best Movie
12 Years a Slave
Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Serena Williams
Subway Sportsman of the Year
Kevin Durant
Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
August Alsina f/ Trinidad Jame$ – I Luv This
Centric Award
Jhené Aiko – The Worst
Best International Act: Africa
Davido (Nigeria)
Best International Act: UK
Krept & Konan
FANdemonium Award
Beyoncé
Photo Credit: Getty Images/BET Awards
