Photo Courtesy of hotnewhiphop.com
This year’s BET Awards at L.A.’s Nokia Theatre kept the audience thrilled as surprise after surprise took place on stage. A performance of Pharrell Williams most recent single from “G I R L”, “Come Get It Bae” complete with dancing cheerleaders kicked off the night, and Missy Elliot in the middle of it for a taste of “Pass That Dutch.” Everybody thought they were warmed up until this year’s host, comedian-actor Chris Rock took the stage and immediately received a standing ovation, before he had even done his opening jokes about the hottest names and topics, beginning with Jay Z and Solange’s elevator story.
“She (Solange) hit ‘Blueprint 3’ Jay Z, not ‘Reasonable Doubt’ Jay Z,” he said, after explaining that Jay Z kept his calm due to the fact that he is a businessman. After a few more shout-outs, and performances, the awards commenced.
Most notably, Pharrell Williams seemed surprised that he won Video of the Year for his hit “Happy,” not only because he outdid his fellow nominees like Beyonce, Jay Z and Drake, but also because he was rocking some comfy UGGs.
Later on, some Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles were passed around by Chris Rock, Nicki Minaj rolled in on the back of a motorcycle, T.I. brought Iggy Azalea out to join in on “No Mediocre,” which she followed up with her hit “Fancy,” making Nicki Minaj, Keyshia Cole, and others dance along.
The Humanitarian Award was presented by BET President, Debra Lee to civil rights activist and journalist Myrlie Evers-Williams, for the 50-year anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In honor of the late Ruby Dee and Maya Angelou, both poets passed away this year, actress Phylicia Rashad took the mic.
The night closed with a pre-taped Beyonce and Jay Z performance of their remix to “Partition” from their “On the Run” tour.
Below is the full list of the 2014 BET Award Winners:
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist – Beyoncé
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist – Pharrell Williams
Best Collaboration – Beyoncé f/ JAY Z – “Drunk In Love”
Best Movie – “12 Years a Slave”
Best Actress – Lupita Nyong’o
Best Actor – Chiwetel Ejiofor
Video of the Year – Pharrell Williams – “Happy”
Best Male Hip Hop Artist – Drake
Best Female Hip Hop Artist – Nicki Minaj
Best Group – Young Money
Subway Sportsman of the Year – Kevin Durant
Subway Sportswoman of the Year – Serena Williams
Best Gospel Artist – Tamela Mann
Best New Artist – August Alsina
YoungStars Award – KeKe Palmer
Centric Award – Jhené Aiko – “The Worst”
Best International Act: UK – Krept & Konan
Video Director of the Year – Hype Williams
Best International Act: Africa – Davido (Nigeria)
Viewers Choice Award – August Alsina