The 2014 Bet Awards were held tonight (June 29) at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. The ceremony included a prerecorded performance from Jay Z and Beyonce and live appearances from Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Usher, Jhene Aiko, and August Alsina. Chris Rock hosted the ceremony and R&B singer Lionel Richie received a lifetime achievement before taking to the stage himself.
Early in the show, Pharrell Williams was joined by Missy Elliott for an onstage performance of “Come Get It Bae” before accepting his own awards for Best Male R&B Artist and Video Of The Year for “Happy.” During his acceptance speech, Pharrell thanked the network and said “you guys keep the lights on for us” in reference to BET.
R&B singer August Alsina beat out ScHoolboy Q and Mack Wilds for the evening’s first award of Best New Artist. Alsina, who also won the night’s Viewers Choice Award, was joined by Chris Brown and Trey Songz for a performance of “I Luv This Shit” in between acceptance speeches.
Iggy Azalea partnered with T.I. onstage before performing her own hit “Fancy.” The Australian rapper faced off against Nicki Minaj in the Best Female Artist category. After winning the award four years in a row, Minaj continued her streak this year.
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“This is my fifth year winning this award,” she said. “I don’t take it for granted. I really don’t. I thank God that I’ve been placed in a position to do something and represent women in a culture that is so male driven.
“What I want the world to know about Nicki Minaj is that when you hear Nicki Minaj spit, Nicki Minaj wrote it,” she later said. “No shade.” “I hope BET continues to honor authenticity,” she also said.
Before the ceremony, T.I. spoke with Miss Info about rooting on his Grand Hustle Records signee in the category.
“I’m going with Iggy Azalea,” he said. “It’s Hustle Gang over everything. Much respect and salutations. Love, respect, and admiration to all the ladies that are in the category with her however, I’m going to dance with the one I came to the prom with. It’s Hustle Gang over everything…but good luck to all of them I hope they win another award in another category.”
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Late in the ceremony, a prerecorded performance from Jay Z and Beyonce’s “On The Run” tour aired. The couple beat out Robin Thicke, T.I., and Pharrell in the Best Collaboration category for their single “Drunk In Love.”
A list of the award winners is available below via Hollywood Reporter.
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
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Best Collaboration
Beyoncé f/ JAY Z – “Drunk In Love”
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Nicki Minaj
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Best Group
Young Money
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Pharrell Williams
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Subway Sportsman of the Year
Kevin Durant Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Serena Williams Video of the Year
Pharrell Williams – “Happy”
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Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Drake
Best Actress
Lupita Nyong’o
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Best Gospel Artist
Tamela Mann
Best New Artist
August Alsina
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Best Actor
Chiwetel Ejiofor
YoungStars Award
KeKe Palmer
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Best Movie
12 Years a Slave
Video Director of the Year
Hype Williams
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Best International Act: Africa
Davido (Nigeria)
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