ThE bEt AwArDs 2008

During the BET awards this year, did you notice that the audience didn't appear excited to be there and barely clapped?

Actors Nia Long, Morris Chestnut, and Cuba Gooding Jr., made stage appearances and the audience gave them no love! Since the veteran actors haven't been in the spotlight in a while, you'd think the audience would've been happy to see them -- but excited clearly wasn't the magic word of the evening.

Every word Cuba Gooding Jr. uttered, was answered by the audiences' absolute silence. Maybe the "Boyz in the Hood" actor shouldn't have commented that "it's hard in the hood", especially since his residence is nowhere near "the hood".  And why were those his choice words for the crowd? Did he assume the audience was in fact from "the hood", and would Cuba have used this same phrase if he were in attendance at the Oscars?

Singer Keisha Cole took the stage next looking gorgeous nonetheless, but it appeared as if she were struggling a bit with her vocals. Then rapper Lil Kim appeared -- as if she were Keisha's saving grace, and the performance came together like glue. They killed it; but the goodness kept on coming! 

Old School singer Alicia Keys, came on the scene singing her sexy love ballad "Teenage Love Affair." Keys took it a step further by reintroducing an old school SWV song "I get so weak", while welcoming the 90's musical group back to the world. 90's groups TLC and En Vogue, also joined the stage in which  everyone sang the old school joint "Hold On To Your Love."

Singers Nelly and Fergie gave energetic performances, while soulful singers Jill Scott and Anthony Hamilton paid tribute to the legendary Reverend Al Green -- who received the 'BET Lifetime Achievement Award'. Al Green then took to the stage; taking us way back with the smooth grooves of the past. 

Synthesizer rapper extraordinaire T-pain, performed his many cameo songs with artists Kanye West and Rick Ross, and proved to be an anwesome set. Pop singers and dance magicians Chris Brown and Ciara, were electrical and all the way live; while singer Rihanna truly showed her vocal ability and strong emotion behind her song "it's over now", holding nothing back the Barbados beauty shined like a star throughout her performance. 

Towards the end of the show Alicia Keys, accepted her award for "BET Female R and B song" in which she proceeded to give an empowering message to the audience. that we shouldn't use the word "can't" in our vocabulary, and that we should get out and vote.

Lyrical genius Lil Wayne and rapper T-Pain, closed the show by performing "Lollipop" and "Amilli." The entire performance was fire, but we all know Weezy rarely disappoints. All in all, the good parts of the show definitely outweighed the bad and if you missed it -- catch it on repeat!

2008 BET Awards Nominees and Winners

*Best Female R and B Artist:  

Alicia Keys

Mary J. Blige 

Mariah Carey 

Keyshia Cole 

Rihanna

*Best Male R and B Artist: 

Chris Brown

Raheem DeVaughn

J. Holiday

Ne-Yo

Trey Songz

*Best Group: 

UGK

Danity Kane

Day 26

Gnarles Barkley

Playaz Circle

*Best Gospel Artist: 

Marvin Sapp

The Clark Sisters

Deitrick Haddon

Kirk Franklin

Trin-I-Tee 5:7

*Best Female Hip-Hop Artist: 

Missy Elliott

Eve

Kid Sister

Lil Mama

Trina

*Best Male Hip-Hop Artist: 

Kanye West

Common

Jay-Z

Lil Wayne

Snoop Dogg

*Video of the Year: 

'International Player's Anthem' - UGK and OUTKAST, 

'The Way That I Love You' - Ashanti

'Honey' - Erykah Badu

'Just Fine' - Mary J. Blige

'Like You'll Never See Me Again' - Alicia Keys

'Good Life' - Kanye West featuring T-Pain

*Best Video Director: 

Erykah Badu and Mr. Roboto

Benny Boom

Gil Green

Chris Robinson

Hype Williams

*Best Collaboration: 

'Good Life' - Kanye West featuring T-Pain

'Kiss Kiss' - Chris Brown featuring T-Pain

'Let It Go' - Keyshia Cole featuring Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim

'Low' - Flo-Rida featuring T-Pain

'I'm So Hood (The Remix)' - DJ Khaled featuring T-Pain, Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe and Birdman

*Viewer's Choice:  

'Lollipop' (featuring Static) - Lil’ Wayne

'No One' - Alicia Keys

'Kiss Kiss' (featuring T-Pain - Chris Brown

'Let It Go' (featuring Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim) - Keyshia Cole

'Crank Dat (Soulja Boy)' - Soulja Boy 

'No Air'(featuring Chris Brown) - Jordin Sparks

*BET J Award:  

Raheem DeVaughn

Chaka Khan

Ledisi

Jill Scott

Angie Stone

*Best New Artist:   

The Dream

Estelle

Flo-Rida

Chrisette Michelle

Soulja Boy Tell 'Em

*Best Actress: 

Halle Berry

Angela Bassett

Queen Latifah

Jill Scott

Chandra Wilson

*Best Actor:  

Denzel Washington

Anthony Anderson

Don Cheadle

Idris Elba

Terrence Howard

2008 LA