BET‘s annual mega-salute to superlative performances in music, sports and entertainment again lit up the Hollywood skyline and the majestic Kodak Theatre, with rapper/producer impresario Kanye West grabbing awards for Best Male Hip Hop artist and for Video of the Year for his spiritual composition “Jesus Walks.”
First-time BET Awards nominees Ciara and John Legend each walked away with trophies, as Ciara won for Best Collaboration for her tandem with rapper Missy Elliott on “1, 2 Step,” and Legend scored as Best Male New Artist.
BET also honored music legend Gladys Knight with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington and his wife Pauletta with the BET Humanitarian Award.
The night exploded with amazing performances and special salutes as Hollywood power couple Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett Smith served as hosts for the first time. Bringing the audience to their feet, a surprise reunion of Lauren Hill and The Fugees started the night off with a killer performance of their old school hits Ready or Not, and Killing Me Softly.
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Other superstar performers included living legend Stevie Wonder, rapper T.I. along with Mariah Carey, Destiny’s Child, Toni Braxton, Ludacris, Missy Elliott, former B2K phenom Omarion, Mike Jones, Fantasia, Tye Tribbett and The Game for BET’s biggest show of the year. A sparkling list of Hollywood’s celebrity A-List also joined the show as presenters, including Halle Berry, Tom Cruise, Alicia Keys, Steve Harvey and Mario.
The night also had some solemn moments as BET paid memorial tributes to actor ssie Davis, attorney Johnnie Cochran, singer Rick James and rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard, all of whom died since last’s BET AWARDS show.
The following is a list of all winners from the 2005 BET AWARDS:
Best Female R&B Best Male R&B
Alicia Keys Usher
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Best Group Best Collaboration
Destiny’s Child Ciara featuring Missy Elliott (1, 2 Step)
Best Female Hip Hop Best Male Hip Hop
Remy Martin Kanye West
Best New Artist Best Gospel Artist
John Legend Donnie McClurkin
Best Actress Best Actor
Regina King Jamie Foxx
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Female Athlete of the Year Male Athlete of the Year
Serena Williams (Tennis) Shaquille O’Neal (Basketball)
Video of the Year Viewers’ Choice Award
Kanye West (Jesus Walks) Omarion (O)
