Music
2012 BET Music Awards
By LaDale Anderson
Jul 1, 2012 - 8:52:26 PM

LOS ANGELES—The 2012 BET Music Awards kicked off the ceremony with a spectacular opening that will be talked about for days.  It was a surprise to see Kanye West on the stage and freestyle; it was something that started to excite the audience.  Actor Samuel L. Jackson hosted the ceremony doing a parody of Kanye West and Jay-Z’s “N**** in Paris” alongside director Spike Lee.  It was truly a funny moment to see both Jackson and Lee poke fun of the song on stage.  The host attempted to bring the laughs throughout the night; some worked, some not so much.

Best Group went to “The Throne” Jay-Z and Kanye West; it was a surprise to actually see Jay-Z appear on stage to accept the award with his colleague, as many weren’t sure if the rapper would show up.  The award for Best New Artist went to Big Sean who beat out fellow nominees Diggy and Meek Mill.  He was very humble while accepting his award on the stage.  It was a remarkable moment to see previous BET hosts appear on the stage which included Tigger, AJ and Free alongside Rocsi and Terrence J to pay tribute to TV personalities that we lost in the recent year including Don Cornelius and Dick Clark.

Best Male R&B Artist went to Chris Brown who appeared on stage more subdued than normal.  Thanking his fans who keep his career going.  Rapper Nicki Minaj stunned the stage with her ground-shaking rendition of her hit “Champion” and “Beez in the Trap.”

Cissy Houston and Whitney Houston.

Best Collaboration was awarded to Wale featuring Miguel for “Lotus Flower Bomb;” definitely a tough category with such fierce competition including Beyonce, Jay-Z, Drake and Lil Wayne.   D’Angelo made his long-awaited return to the stage singing his unstoppable hit “How Does It Feel.”  The singer received a standing ovation from the audience.

The award for Best Female R&B Artist was given to Beyonce.  The songstress was gracious and a bit on the shy side while on stage.  Best Female Hip-Hop Artist was given to a deserving Nicki Minaj who has dominated the rap industry for the past two years.  Minaj thanked BET for keeping this category alive and praising the female rappers striving for there place in the music industry.

The night’s big award Video of the Year went to Jay-Z and Kanye West for “Otis.”  It was hilarious to see Jay-Z cut off West half-way through his speech, perhaps poking fun at his gaff at the MTV Video Music Awards when he cut-off Taylor Swift. 

The highlight of night came with the Whitney Houston tribute with a surprising appearance by powerhouse vocalist Mariah Carey. If there is anyone who can go toe-to-toe with Houston its Carey; it was a heartfelt moment for the audience, as well as Carey who got emotional.  Monica’s tribute to Houston sent the audience to its feet.  Brandy next took the stage to sing Houston’s hits “I’m Your Baby Tonight” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”  

Houston’s mother, Cissy took to the stage and delivered such an emotional performance as a viewer you could not help, but shed a tear; truly a fitting tribute to an icon.  Her co-stars from “Waiting to Exhale” Angela Bassett, Lela Rochon and Loretta Devine also paid tributes to there lost friend.   Chaka Khan also hit the stage to perform “I’m Every Woman;” her hit single which Houston remade in the 90s.  The one award that allows the viewers to vote, Viewer’s Choice Award was handed to Mindless Behavior for “Hello.”

I will admit perhaps a good 25 minutes of the ceremony could have been cut, but this is the first BET Awards ceremony in the recent four years that was a treat to watch.  I can only imagine that 2013 will be bigger and better than this year.