The 2012 BET Awards
Rocks Again!
By Rych McCain, International/Nationally Entertainment Columnist
Photos Courtesy BET
The 2012 BET Awards was
another cable TV ratings bonanza as it is every year! This year the red carpet
had bleacher seating for the mostly teen fans to see their favorite stars up
close and even shaking their hands and getting autographs. The screaming from
those fans kept the energy and excitement high as the stars paraded down doing
their side press interviews.
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| Terrence J and Rocsi |
The live pre-show was hype as usual hosted by
BET’s own Terrence J and Rocsi. As with every year, the acts had to perform in
straight up blazing hot sun. The temps on that stage and the red carpet were in
the high 80’s leaving the stars, press and fans to sweat and melt.
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| Nikki Minaj |
When everybody settled
down inside the Shrine Auditorium they witness a great show but it was hindered
by numerous bleeps and vulgarities that the censors missed or only half clipped
during the entire show. It is actually a shame that some acts (not all) in the
hip hop/rap genre blatantly display ignorance and the lack of respect of the
medium of television with cussing and vulgar jesters. A large segment of Rick
Ross and Nikki Minaj’s performances were muted out due to
foul language.
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| Yolanda Adams |
Gospel superstar Yolanda Adams, who performed and won “The Best
Gospel Artist Award,” urged her secular music peers to act mature and use their
fame wisely. In her acceptance speech Adams said “We need all of y’all. I’m
saying the world needs everyone in this room. Please make sure that you use
your gift responsibly, because we’re watching. Our babies are watching and they
want to be like us.”
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| Cissy Houston |
The emotional highlight of the night came via the Whitney Houston
tribute. Mariah Carey opened the segment with memories of her friendship with
Houston. She was followed by a stirring number by Monica. Brandy rendered two
of Houston’s up-tempo hits and Chaka Khan blazed the stage with "I'm Every
Woman," which Houston remade. Houston’s brother Gary came out to sing a
tune them mom Cissy Houston took the stage and had church. She brought the
house down with a highly emotional charged gospel rendition of “Bridge Over
Trouble Water.” Many in the crowd were brought to tears not only in the
auditorium but in the back press room as well. All eyes were glued to those
monitors. Other tributes included Chante Moore singing a medley of the late
Donna Summers hits; Valerie Simpson singing the hits she collaborated with her
late husband Nick Ashford and a tribute to TV music show pioneers Don Cornelius
(Soul Train), Dick Clark (American Bandstand) and radio mogul Hal Jackson
(Co-creator of the Inner City Radio Broadcast group).
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| Solange, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Kanye & Kim BET Photo |
The show was hosted by actor Sam Jackson who did skits with fellow
Moorehouse College alumni Spike Lee and comic Kevin Hart who hosted last year’s
show. Kanye West with girlfriend Kim Kardashian in tow led the pack with seven
nominations followed by Beyonce with six. Beyonce did win “Best video Director”
with Alan Ferguson and “Best Female R&B Artist.” West and his friend
Jay-Z beat out Beyonce for “Video of The
Year.
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| Kanye & Jay-Z |
As West was giving his acceptance
speech, Jay-Z interrupted him and said: "Excuse me Kanye, I'm gonna let
you continue, but ...," and the audience broke out with laughter,
recalling West's infamous interruption of Taylor Swift's MTV Video Music Awards
speech a few years back. Chris Brown was also a double winner; Kevin Hart won “Best Actor,” Big Sean was
named best new artist while Wale and Miguel's smooth hit "Lotus Flower
Bomb" won “Best Collaboration.”
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| Frankie Beverly & Jamie Foxx |
The show’s presenters were Taraji P. Henson, Kerry Washington and Jamie
Foxx, who wore a T-shirt that had a picture of Trayvon Martin, the Florida teen
killed in Florida. Frankie Beverly featuring Maze were honored with the
lifetime achievement award, and they were serenaded with performances by
Tyrese, Faith Evans and Joe.
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| D'Angelo |
D'Angelo did, his first televised performance in years
fostering his comeback. In an interesting note, Chris Brown performed in his
first televised appearance since the New York City nightclub brawl between his
entourage and Drake’s. Brown’s Girlfriend, his bodyguard and NBA star Tony
Parker were among those injured in the June 14 encounter, where bottles were
thrown. Despite being nominated, Drake was a no-show for the awards. For
complete list of winners go to www.bet.com
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| Tyrese, Ginuwine and Tank |
© 2012 Rych McCain Media/Syndication tm
(You
DID Hear It From Me!)
E-Mail: feedbackrych@sbcglobal.net
