The hilarious Kevin Hart kept the crowd laughing out loud as a Hollywood House Husband during the BET AWARDS ’11 opening act with Bobby Brown , Jermaine Dupri , Anthony Anderson , Nelly, and Nick Cannon . Chris Brown’s powerful performance medley of “She Ain’t You,” “Look at Me Now,” and “Paper Scissor Rock” illustrated just why he was named the 2011 Best Male R&B Artist, Video of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Coca-Cola Viewer’s Choice Award winner when he took to the stage in two performances collaborating with Busta Rhymes and Big Sean. Later, a precocious Justin Bieber propositioned Nicki Minaj on stage when he said, “I’m all grown up now. I turn 18 next year so…what’s up?”
Legendary songstress and diva extraordinaire Patti LaBelle was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award and Patti’s tribute was a performance unlike anything ever seen before. Beginning with a special introduction from another musical icon, Gladys Knight , Cee Lo Green took to the stage in a throwback Patti LaBelle costume performing “Somebody Loves You Baby,” while Marsha Ambrosius jazzed up the room with her spot on rendition of “If Only You Knew,” before the great Shirley Caesar took the crowdand Patti LaBelle to tears singing “You Are My Friend.” But it was Patti herself that brought the house down performing two of her greatest hits, “Love, Need and Want You” and “Lady Marmalade.” Steve Harvey uplifted the audience in his acceptance speech for his Humanitarian Award.
The cast of the Five Heartbeats movie surprised the audience with a reunited performance with R&B crooners After 7 with the famous hit, “Nights Like This,” for the 20-year anniversary of the film. The beautiful Kerry Washington graced the stage for BET’s Shine A Light moment to honor individuals who make the world a better place for young people.
Celebrating the 10-year Anniversary of her first album, Songs In A Minor, Alicia Keys graced the BET AWARDS ’11 stage for a medley of her hits with Bruno Mars and Rick Ross as well as for the world premiere her latest song, “Typewriter.”
Additional highlights of the 14 performances include: Trey Songz sexy, shirt-ripping rendition of “Making Love Faces” and “Unusual,” and was later joined by Kelly Rowland to perform her smash hit, “Motivation,” Donnie McClurkin, Deitrick Haddon and Mary Mary uplifted the audience with their rendition of the gospel hit, “Thank You Lord,” in tribute to the late Walter Hawkins; Mary J. Blige , Anita Baker , DJ Khaled, and Jadakiss kicked off the show with a monumental mix of hits “All Night Long,” “Joy,” “Happy,” Dreams,” “Real Love,” “Rapture,” and “Over Til It’s Over”; Jill Scott performed a soulful rendition of “Rolling Hills” with actor and DJ Idris Elba ; DJ Khaled, Rick Ross, Drake and Lil’ Wayne amped the crowd performing “I’m the One”; and Beyonce closed the show singing “Best Thing I Never Had” and “End of Time” via live telecast from Britain’s Glastonbury Festival.
This year’s In Memoriam tribute celebrated the lives of Cali Swag District member M-Bone, Clarence Clemons , Teena Marie , Gil Scott Heron and Nate Dogg with performances and appearances by Doug E. Fresh and Cali Swag District, Queen Latifah, Ledisi, Scott Mayo, Snoop Dogg and Warren G.
In continuing the good that BET’s S.O.S.: Saving Ourselves initiative has made over the years, the BET AWARDS ’11 contained a special moment to show support for the victims of the tornadoes in the Southeast through a special message from Rev. Al Sharpton .
In addition to all of these spectacular moments, the full list of BET AWARDS ’11 winners are:
- Best Female R&B Artist: Rihanna
- Best Male R&B Artist: Chris Brown
- Best Group: Diddy-Dirty Money
- Best Gospel Artist: Mary Mary
- Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj
- Best Male Hip Hop Artist: Kanye West
- Best New Artist: Wiz Khalifa
- Best Collaboration: Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes “Look At Me Now”
- Video of the Year: Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes “Look At Me Now”
- Video Director of the Year: Chris Robinson
- Best Actress: Taraji P. Henson
- Best Actor: Idris Elba
- Young Stars Award: Jaden Smithand Willow Smith
- Best Movie: For Colored Girls
- Subway Sportswoman of the Year: Serena Williams
- Subway Sportsman of the Year: Michael Vick
- Centric Award: Marsha Ambrosius “Far Away”
- Best International Act: 2Face Idibia (Nigeria) and D’Banj (Nigeria)
- Coca-Cola Viewer’s Choice Award: Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes – “Look at me Now”
- Humanitarian Award: Steve Harvey
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Patti LaBelle
