Rappers Lil Wayne and Kanye West were big winners last night (June 24) at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles during the BET Awards.
Both West and Wayne won multiple awards, with West winning the Best Hip-Hop Award During his acceptance speech, the Chicago born rapper brought out Lil Wayne, who was up for the same award.
“It feels good, like a family reunion to stand on stage with Lil Wayne, my fiercest comp,” Kanye West said, with Wayne at his side. “Congratulations for selling over a million records.”
Producer T-Pain treated the crowd to an interesting performance, which featured a who’s who in southern Hip-Hop. T-Pain and Kanye West also took home the award for Best Collaboration, due to the success of West’s single “Good Life,” which was also produced by T-Pain.
Rappers Flo Rida, Rick Ross, DJ Khaled, Big Boi and Ludacris also made a cameo appearance during a medley of T-Pain produced hits, which featured stilt walking women in tight shorts and afros and a midget, creating a quasi freak show on the stage at the Shrine.
UGK won Video of the Year Award for their track “International Players Anthem” featuring Outkast.
“This is hard for me to accept,” Bun B. told the capacity crowd. “It’s not because we didn’t earn it, but it’s hard with my bro not being here [Pimp C.] I just wanna thank y’all for the support, its been a long road. I don’t care what nobody says, it’s still UGK for life. Long live Pimp C.”
The evening’s highlight came during a tribute to soul legend Al Green, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Jill Scott, Anthony Hamilton and Maxwell sang a number of classic’s from Green’s Hi Recording days, including “Let’s Stay Together,” “I’m So Tired of Being Alone” and others.
Al Green, who recently released his new album Lay It Down which features production by ?uestlove, and James Poyser, was elated to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.
“I’m so humbled. I want to thank all the people that stood by me when I put out the wrong record and right record,” Green said, before bursting into “Let’s Stay Together” and “Love and Happiness.”
Quincy Jones received the Humanitarian Award, which was presented by rapper Queen Latifah.
Lil Wayne, who also won the Viewer’s Choice Award, closed the show with a rousing rendition of his hit single “Lollipop,” taken from his blockbuster album The Carter III.
“I would be nothing without God. Cash Money Records. Everybody in here, we are nothing but God,” Lil Wayne said.
Other performers and presenters during the evening included a new, shapely Lil Kim, Rihanna, SWV, David Banner, EnVouge, Alicia Keys, Usher, Ciara, Chris Brown, TLC, Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., Gabrielle Union and numerous others.
