LOS ANGELES, CA. (Top40 Charts/ BET Networks) - BET AWARDS '08 lived up to its promise as "the hottest ticket on television," as BET brought together the best in entertainment, music and sports for its annual "family reunion," which premiered LIVE from Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium on Tuesday, June 24 at 8:00 p.m.*
Rapper Kanye West was named Best Male Hip Hop Artist and won Best Collaboration for "Good Life" featuring T-Pain. UGK scored the Best Group nod and also earned Video of the Year for "International Player's Anthem (I Choose You)" featuring Outkast. Alicia Keys was named Best Female R&B Artist, Chris Brown was awarded Best Male R&B Artist, and Missy Elliott landed Best Female Hip Hop Artist honors. BET named The Dream this year's Best New Artist, while Marvin Sapp won Best Gospel Artist.
Hosted by the always hilarious D.L. Hughley, BET AWARDS '08 featured jaw- dropping performances by the hottest artists in the game today - from hip hop to gospel to R&B to soul. Usher opened the show with a sultry rendition of "Love in this Club," while Ne-Yo's high-energy performance of "Closer" included tons of impressive choreography and a cameo by Jabbawockeez from MTV's "America's Best Dance Crew."
Young Jeezy and Kanye gave an electrifying showing of "Put On," and T-Pain performed a colorful, circus-inspired medley of songs, featuring Flo Rida, Rick Ross, Big Boi, DJ Khaled and Ludacris. Girl power was definitely in the house, as Keyshia Cole sang "Heaven Sent" and was joined by Lil' Kim for "Let It Go," and Alicia Keys performed "Teenage Love Affair" and then accompanied some of the best girl groups of all time - SWV, En Vogue and TLC - for performances of their hit songs.
Marvin Sapp gave a truly inspirational and powerful rendition of "Never Would Have Made It," and other show-stopping performances included Rihanna, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown's sizzling dance with Ciara, and Nelly's medley with Jermaine Dupri and Fergie. In addition, Jill Scott and Maxwell performed a moving tribute to legendary R&B icon Al Green, this year's recipient of BET's Lifetime Achievement Award. Green brought the house down with his own performance of "Let's Stay Together" and "Love and Happiness." Quincy Jones, celebrated producer/arranger/composer, was also honored with BET's prestigious Humanitarian Award for his outreach to young African-Americans through the Listen Up Foundation.
A star-studded line-up of the hottest A-list celebrities made appearances at the show, including LL Cool J, Terrence Howard, Queen Latifah, Diddy, John Legend, David Banner, MC Lyte, Jennifer Hudson, Tyrese, Jordin Sparks, Mel B, Nia Long, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Morris Chestnut, Gabrielle Union, Mary Mary, Lauren London and Kevin Hart.
Encore telecasts of the BET AWARDS '08 are set for: Friday, June 27 from 7:30-11:00 p.m.*; Sunday, June 29 from 7:30-11:00 p.m.*; Tuesday, July 1 from 7:30-11:00 p.m.*; Friday, July 4 from 6:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.; Saturday, July 12 from 7:30-11:00 p.m.*; and Thursday, July 17 from 7:30-11:00 p.m.* (Please note: End time may change depending on final show length.)
The following is a complete list of winners from the BET AWARDS '08:
Best Female R&B Artist
Alicia Keys
Best Male R&B Artist
Chris Brown
Best Group
UGK
Best Gospel Artist
Marvin Sapp
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Missy Elliott
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Kanye West
Best New Artist
The Dream
Best Collaboration
Kanye West f/ T-Pain "Good Life"
Best Video Director
Erykah Badu and Mr. Roboto
Video of the Year
UGK f/ Outkast "International Player's Anthem (I Choose You)"
Best Actor
Denzel Washington
Best Actress
Halle Berry
Male Athlete of the Year
Kobe Bryant
Female Athlete of the Year
Candace Parker
BET J Award
Raheem DeVaughn
Viewers' Choice Award
Lil Wayne f/ Static "Lollipop"
BET once again teamed up with Cossette Productions, the famed producers of the GRAMMY Awards and the seven record-setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle production of the telecast. Stephen Hill, BET Executive Vice President, Music and Programming, along with Lynne Harris-Taylor, BET Vice President of Specials, are executive producers of the telecast.
BET AWARDS '08 is sponsored by Dodge, Pepsi, Verizon Wireless, General Motors, P&G, Target, CIROC Vodka and Ford.
Visit BET.com for BET On Blast video highlights, photos and continuous BET AWARDS '08 updates at https://www.bet.com/betawards.
