Season 14
It was a night full of electrifying performances, emotional speeches and unforgettable moments at the BET Award '14 - also known as the "Black World Cup," according to host Chris Rock - which took place at the Nokia Theatre at L.A. LIVE on Sunday 29 June.
Young Money and Beyoncé both took home three awards, as did acclaimed film 12 Years A Slave, which swept the film award categories. Pharrell Williams and August Alsina each won two awards, while Nigerian phenomenon Davido bought home the trophy for Best International Act: Africa.
Pharrell Williams opened the show with an energetic rendition of "Come Get It Bae" surrounded by a bevy of cheerleaders, and was joined by surprise performer and fellow Virginia native, the amazing Missy Elliott, who brought the crowd to their feet to "Pass That Dutch."
Williams became a familiar face on the stage after winning both "Best Male R&B/Pop Artist" and "Video of the Year," and again coming on to present music icon Lionel Richie with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The tribute to Richie included a presentation of classics "Hello" and "Still" by John Legend and a pulsating rendition of "Brick House" by Ledisi.
Just before Richie came on stage to accept his award, Yolanda Adams delivered a soulful, inspired performance of "Jesus Is Love," bringing the crowd to its feet and prompting Richie to admit he was "glad [he] sang the song first."
Richie showed off his own skills when he sat at the piano and serenaded the audience with "Easy", then got the crowd dancing along to "All Night Long".
Chris Brown made a triumphant return to the BET Awards stage that drew a standing ovation. He proved he hasn't missed a beat delivering an incredible performance of "Loyal", which was amped up even more with appearances by Lil Wayne, Tyga and Travis Barker.
Always one to get the crowd going, Lil Wayne got the mosh pit popping with "Krazy" and "Believe Me". Jennifer Hudson showed off her incredibly powerful pipes during a performance of "Walk It Out" and debut of her new single "It's Your World" as a disco roller derby swirled around her.
One of today's hottest rising stars, Jhené Aiko joined John Legend on stage for one of the most impressive performances of the evening.
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of his first album, Usher performed an action-packed medley of his biggest hits, including "Yeah!", "Confessions", "Caught Up" and "Love In This Club".
Nicki Minaj gave an dramatic Alice In Wonderland-inspired performance of "Chi-Raq" and "Pills N Potions", filling the stage with giant mushrooms, a contemporary dancer and a white rabbit.
T.I. showed off his lyrical prowess with "No Mediocre", while Iggy Azalea wowed the crowd with her skills with her hit single "Fancy".
Fan and crowd favourite August Alsina, whose earlier performance alongside Trey Songz and Chris Brown drew squeals from all of the ladies in the house, took home the Coca-Cola Viewers' Choice Award.
Robin Thicke gave a mesmerizing performance of "Forever Love"; while surprise performers Troop, Color Me Badd and Silk scored huge cheers, as each group took the stage for their biggest hits for a '90s throwback medley of "All I Do Is Think of You"; "I Wanna Sex You Up" and "Freak Me".
Presenter Kerry Washington, making her first television appearance since giving birth to daughter Isabelle in April, got in on the night's fun with co-presenter Kevin Hart, who tried to convince the crowd that he was, in fact, Oliver Pope, a reference to Kerry's alter-ego Olivia Pope on her hit show The Fixer (Scandal).
Taking a cue from Ellen DeGeneres' pizza delivery at this year's Oscar Awards, Rock provided the audience with a delivery of Roscoe's Chicken 'n Waffles, which they accepted with enthusiasm. Rock had the crowd laughing throughout the night, thanks to his riffs on a range of hot topics, from Donald Sterling to Jay-Z and Solange to Dr. Dre and the Beats/Apple deal.
A taped performance of Beyoncé and Jay-Z of "Partition" capped the epic night, which delivered on its promise to be the hottest ticket in town.
The "BET Awards '14 drew the biggest names in music, entertainment and sports, with appearances by Gabrielle Union, Keke Palmer, Regina Hall, Larenz Tate, Bow Wow, Keshia Chante, Eva Marcille, Terrence Jenkins, Keyshia Cole, Mike Tyson, Nick Cannon, Zendaya, DeSean Jackson, Boris Kodjoe, Gary Owen, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Chadwick Boseman, Tyrese and Nate Parker.
Tim King (Founder, President and CEO of Urban Prep Academies) and Denzel Thompson (a 19-year-old founder and manager of a successful community urban farm and garden) were recognised as the 2014 Shine-A-Light recipients.
The BET Awards franchise remains as the #1 program in cable TV history among African-Americans, and it is BET's #1 telecast every year. It recognises the triumphs and successes of artists, entertainers and athletes in 19 categories.
2014 Winners
Best International Act: Africa
Davido (Nigeria)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Mafikizolo (South Africa)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
Toofan (Togo)
Best International Act: UK
Dizzee Rascal
Ghetts
Krept & Konan
Laura Mvula
Rita Ora
Tinie Tempah
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
Janelle Monáe
Jhené Aiko
K. Michelle
Rihanna
Tamar Braxton
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
August Alsina
Chris Brown
John Legend
Justin Timberlake
Pharrell Williams
Best Group
A$AP Mob
Daft Punk
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
TGT
Young Money
Best Collaboration
August Alsina f/ Trinidad Jame$ - I Luv This
Beyoncé f/ JAY Z – Drunk In Love
Drake f/ Majid Jordan – Hold On (We're Going Home)
JAY Z f/ Justin Timberlake – Holy Grail
Robin Thicke f/ T.I. & Pharrell Williams – Blurred Lines
YG f/ Jeezy & Rich Homie Quan – My Hitta
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Drake
Future
J. Cole
JAY Z
Kendrick Lamar
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Angel Haze
Charli Baltimore
Eve
Iggy Azalea
Nicki Minaj
Video of the Year
Beyoncé – Partition
Beyoncé f/ JAY Z – Drunk In Love
Chris Brown – Fine China
Drake – Worst Behavior
Pharrell Williams – Happy
Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Chris Brown
Colin Tilley
Director X
Hype Williams
Best New Artist
Ariana Grande
August Alsina
Mack Wilds
Rich Homie Quan
ScHoolboy Q
Best Gospel Artist
Donnie McClurkin
Erica Campbell
Hezekiah Walker
Tamela Mann
Tye Tribbett
Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington
Lupita Nyong'o
Oprah Winfrey
Best Actor
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Forest Whitaker
Idris Elba
Kevin Hart
Michael B. Jordan
YoungStars Award
Gabrielle Douglas
Jacob Latimore
Jaden Smith
KeKe Palmer
Zendaya
Best Movie
12 Years a Slave
The Best Man Holiday
Fruitvale Station
Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain
Lee Daniels' The Butler
Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Brittney Griner
Lolo Jones
Serena Williams
Skylar Diggins
Venus Williams
Subway Sportsman of the Year
Blake Griffin
Carmelo Anthony
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Kevin Durant
LeBron James
Centric Award
Aloe Blacc – The Man
Jennifer Hudson f/ T.I. – I Can't Describe (The Way I Feel)
Jhené Aiko – The Worst
LiV Warfield – Why Do You Lie?
Wale f/ Sam Dew – LoveHate Thing
Coca Cola Viewers Choice Award
August Alsina f/ Trinidad Jame$ - I Luv This
FANdemonium Award
Beyoncé
Lifetime Achieverment Award
Lionel Ritchie
BET Humanitarian Award
Myrlie Evers-Williams