Thaindian News

Los Angeles, Oct 13 (THAINDIAN NEWS) In 2001 the Black Entertainment Television network established the annual BET Awards that are exclusive for the Blacks were set up to celebrate and honor the achievements of the African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past year.

All the stars remembered the King of Pop and paid generous tributes to the late Michael Jackson who had died recently at the age of fifty.

These awards are given out every year and are broadcast live on BET too. The Artist/Sculptor and Hip Hop culture icon Carlos Mare Rodriguez has designed the exclusive Award sculpture.

Jamie Foxx was the host of this years show and he had quite a few nominations himself. Ice Cube received the “I Am Hip-Hop” icon award. “When you get recognized by your peers for a life of work, you got to be humbled,” the rap veteran said. “I’m honored by this. I have 20 more years of work left in me. I hope (BET) is ready to give out two of these awards.”

Rapper Busta Rhymes presented the award for “DJ of the Year” to DJ AM, the celebrity spinner who unfortunately died of an accidental drug overdose in August.

Rapper T.I., who is in jail over a federal weapons conviction, won 2 trophies for the best collaboration award with Rhianna for the song “Live Your Life” and the album of the year award for “Paper Trail.” His fiancée Tameka “Tiny” Cottle accepted the awards on his behalf at the ceremony in Atlanta and read a letter penned by the rapper, who is serving a yearlong sentence.

“Although I’m not there with you all, I’m there in spirit,” Cottle quoted the rapper as writing. “My road to redemption is almost over. … Thanks for the support.”

Performer Jay-Z took the stage with Young Jeezy to perform “Real as It Gets” and rap group Goodie Mob performed its 1995 song “Cell Therapy.”