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