Stealing the spotlight! Nicki Minaj overshadows Chris Brown in a VERY low cut silver corset as she joins him for a surprise duet at BET Awards
- Nicki Minaj won Best Female Hip Hop Artist for the fourth year running
- Multi-nominee Drake mysteriously pulled out of the show at the last minute
Nicki Minaj appeared at Sunday night's BET Awards for a surprise duet with Chris Brown.
The hip hop superstar was hoisted above the audience at the end of Brown's rendition of Fine China and Don't Think They Know, which he performed with vocals from the late singer Aaliyah, whose image was shown behind the stage.
Minaj's appearance was typically dramatic, with the singer rapping at the end of Brown's set, sporting a plunging silver glittering corset top and hip hugging black trousers which showed off her curves to the maximum.
Plunging: Nicki Minaj showed off her cleavage in a tight, plunging silver corset as she took to the stage at Sunday's BET Awards
BET's censors struggled to bleep out some of the singer's expletives during her appearance.
She later swapped the oufit for an equally plunging black leather and a long skirt to accept the award for Best Female Hip Hop Artist, for the fourth year running.
'This is my fourth award in a row and everytime I win it's a humbling experience because my fans are such amazing people,' Nicki said in her acceptance speech.
'They inspire me. I'm going to keep doing it for you all. BET, you've been supporting me from day one.'
Surprise appearance: Minaj's risqué rap had the BET censors scrambling at the end of Brown's performance
Sky high: Minaj was hoisted above the audience at the end of Chris Brown's performance
Award winning: She later swapped the put fit for
an equally plunging black leather and a long skirt to accept the award
for Best Female Hip Hop Artist, for the fourth year in a row.
Curvy: Minaj showed off her curves in yet another revealing gown as she posed backstage with her award
Brown also won a gong, scooping the Fandemonium Award for the fourth time in a row, and he immediately thanked Minaj.
'First off, I want to thank Nicki for performing with me and making it an incredible performance. Thank you baby girl,' he said, before voicing his appreciation to 'Team Breezy.'
He ended by telling the crowd: 'Don't read the bull in the news. I'm a real dude.'
The white stuff: Mariah Carey took to the stage to perform her latest hit Beautiful
Taking in the drama: Mariah performed on a typically elaborate set for a memorable number
Low cut and classic: Mariah also showed off her cleavage in a plunging gown
Moving on: Mariah announced last month that she
would not be returning to American Idol, preferring to concentrate on
her music career
It wasn't the end of Minaj's presence at the ceremony - she later joined Ciara for a performance of Body Party.
And the 27-year-old proved to be a striking stage presence in an outfit decorated with one dollar bills.
Earlier, Minaj's American Idol arch rival Mariah Carey took to the stage to perform new song Beautiful with Miguel and Young Jeezy.
Energy: Chris Brown put in an enthusiastic performance of two of his hits to open the 2013 BET Awards
Singing star: Brown sported an all-black outfit and two tone black and white striped shoes for his performance
Hitmaker: Brown performed Fine China and Don't Think They Know, with a menagerie of dancers
Fans favourite: Brown accepted the Fandemonium Award for the fourth year in a row
The singer looked striking in a floor length white and silver plunging gown which showed off a slender figure.
It was announced last month that the diva will not be returning to American Idol for a second season, because she was instead planning a world tour and wanted to concentrate on music.
One of the show's highlights came when Charlie Wilson was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Lifetime
Achievement: R&B legend Charlie Wilson performed on stage after
accepting his prestigious award from Justin Timberlake
Paying tribute: Charlie Wilsopn thanked his fans and family after accepting the award from the Suit & Tie singer
Warm
reception: Stevie Wonder joined the musicians paying tribute to Wilson
by performing Burn Rubber and Why You Want To Hurt Me
Going for gold: India Arie performed There Goes My Baby in tribute to Wilson
Sporting a black suit, shirt and bow tie, Justin Timberlake introduced the soul legend.
'I'm so honoured to be here tonight, because we have cultivated a timeless bond. Not only has Charlie conquered every genre of music, he has a voice which only comes along once a lifetime,' he said.
'Charlie Wilson is soul music. His impact colours the work of many artists, which is basically my nice way of saying I and a lot of other artists have stolen from him.'
Wowing the crowd: Pharrell, Timberlake and Wilson took to the stage in an energetic performance on stage
Dance move and groove: Timberlake appeared to highly enjoy grooving on stage alongside Snoop
Proud winner: Wilson posed with his accolade with Sunday night's musical collaborators
After a video montage honouring 60-year-old Wilson's life in music, India Arie, Jamie Foxx and Stevie Wonder all took to the stage.
Arie sung There Goes My Baby, Foxx performed Yearning For Your Love and Wonder wowed the crowd with Burn Rubber and Why You Want to Hurt Me
'It is by God's grace that has allowed me to stand here today still at the top of my game,' Wilson told the crowd in his acceptance speech.
International hit: Robin Thicke sung Blurred Lines sporting a black suit, white shirt and aviator sunglasses
Collaborative effort: Pharrell Williams and T.I. joined Thicke on stage for the song which down a storm with the audience
Dramatic: Thicke gave a cool, laid back performance of the number one hit
Flashing the flesh: Thicke cavorted with several scantily clad backing dancers during the number
The foursome ended the spectacular with Gap hits You Dropped a Bomb on Me and Outstanding.
In a performance-packed show, Robin Thicke took the stage to perform his international hit Blurred Lines.
Striking out: Ciara put in a striking performance of song Body Party featuring Nicki Minaj
Slim and trim: Ciara showed off her flat toned tummy in the outfit which was decorated with one dollar notes
Another guest appearance: Minaj was a prominent part of the stage show
Thicke was joined by Pharrell and T.I. on stage to perform the hit before MIguel won the night's first award for best male R&B pop artist, beating out Brown, Usher, Justin Timberlake and Bruno Mars.
'I got to really give it up to all the other guys in this category,' he said. 'I want to say to anyone out there. Stick to your guns and you can do anything you believe in.'
Don Cheadle presented Miguel with the award, and dedicated the night to the ailing Nelson Mandela.
'We want to take a moment and send our prayers and thoughts to a man who literally changed the world,' he said.' This evening we would like offer prayers and support and hope to the extraordinary Nelson Mandela and his family.'
Dancing in victory: Actor Kevin Hart presents the Best Actor award to Jamie Foxx prompting an acceptance jig
Purple patch: Jamie Foxx posed backstage with
with his Best Actor Award while Olympian Gabrielle Douglas won the
YoungStars Award
Kendrick Lamar won Best New Artist, but failed to make it to the stage to collect the trophy after being delayed backstage preparing for his performance.
However, Lamar later got the chance to shine when he accepted the accolade for Best Male Hip Hop Artist.
'Most importantly to my little home boys and my home girls back in the city, you looking at me on TV right now, I came up in that same county building, food stamps, welfare section eight,' he told the crowd. 'This is living proof that you can do anything you put your mind to.'
Host with the most: Don Cheadle presented the award for Best Male R&B male pop artist to Miguel
I believe I can fly: R Kelly wore a striking
silver studded black jacker and leather trousers as he performed a
medley of his hits
Hell for leather: R Kelly cut a striking figure in his leather look with sharp looking studs
The Compton-based rapper then stepped on stage to perform M.A.A.D City and B***** Don't Kill My Vibe with Erykah Badu who sported a bizarre ensemble of sky print leggings, orange and a hat.
He, along with 2
Chainz, were the second most nominated acts behind Drake, who was up for
12 honours, including five nominations for video of the year, which had
10 nominees.
However, Drake mysteriously pulled-out of the Awards at the last minute, telling producers that he would not appear at the event in Los Angeles.
His withdrawal sparked rumours that he did not want to run into Chris Brown after a fight broke out between the pair last year.
However, Drake mysteriously pulled-out of the Awards at the last minute, telling producers that he would not appear at the event in Los Angeles.
His withdrawal sparked rumours that he did not want to run into Chris Brown after a fight broke out between the pair last year.
Rubbing shoulders: Snoop Lion and Nelly share a
chat and a catch up in the audience of the Nokia Theatre in Downtown Los
Angeles
Chest for success: Miguel performed How Many Drinks after scooping the gong for Best Male R&B Artist
King of Pop tribute: Tucker sung a few lines from Michael Jackson's Human Nature in tribute to the late singer
Drake ended up winning the Viewer's Choice and Best Collaboration awards for his appearance on A$AP Rocky's F***** Problems with Lamar and 2 Chainz.
Jamie Foxx, wearing a shirt that featured a picture of Trayvon Martin, won Best Actor, and Olympic gold medallist Gabrielle Douglas won both Sportswoman Of The Year and the Young Star Award, beating Oscar nominee Quvenzhané Wallis to the gong.
Film Think Like A Man beat Django Unchained and Beasts of the Southern Wild to scoop Best Movie with the cast including Gabrielle Union and Taraji P Henson taking the stage to accept.
Suited and booted: JB Smoove, Columbus Short,
Kevin Hart, Nick Cannon, Boris Kodjoe, Nelly, and Bobby Brown present an
award onstage during the ceremony
Star studded: Oscar nominees Quvenzhane Wallis and Taraji P. Henson were among the presenters at the show
Enjoying the show: Rapper Busta Rhymes and Snoop both were decked out in black and gold
Miami Heat basketball star LeBron James was one of many stars absent for the ceremony, although he tweeted his thanks after scooping Sportsman Of The Year.
'Thanks alot to #BET and the fans for Sportsmen of the Year award!' he wrote. 'Sorry I couldn't be there but thanks again!'
Striking: Erykah Badu joined Kendrick Lamar for a number early in the show, with the rapper later scooping two gongs
Presenting time: The show attracted an array of
celebrities promoting their latest project, with Forest Whitaker and
actor Michael B Jordan taking the stager at one point
Closing out the show: Janelle Monae performed Q.U.E.E.N. with Erykah Badu at the end of the ceremony
J.Cole and R.Kelly also performed, with the latter taking the stage in a dramatic black studded jacket teamed with leather trousers to sing a medley of hits that included When A Woman's Fed Up, Bump n' Grind and Ignition Remix.
Other performers included multi-nominee 2 Chainz who sang Feds Watching and Problems with A$AP Rocky and Kendrick Lamar.
Tamela Mann sung Gospel ballad Take Me To The King following a segment paying tribute to musicians who died this year and Janelle Monae ended the event with a top notch performance of Q.U.E.E.N. alongside Erykah Badu, who brought a white poodle onstage.
UK viewers can catch the BET Awards 2013 Tuesday, July 2 at 8pm on Sky 187, Virgin 184 and Freesat 140. It will then be repeated on Saturday, July 6 at 8pm.
Tribute: Tamela Mann performs onstage during the 2013 BET Awards following a tribute to musicians who died in the last year
The BET Awards 2013: THE WINNERS
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist: Rihanna
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist: Chris Brown
Best Group: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Best Collaboration: A$AP Rocky (featuring Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar) – F***in’ Problems
Best Male Hip Hop Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj
Video Of The Year: Drake - Started From the Bottom
Video Director of the Year: Benny Boom
Best New Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Best Gospel Artist: Mary Mary
Best Actress: Kerry Washington
Best Actor: Jamie Foxx
YoungStars Award: Gabrielle Douglas
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist: Chris Brown
Best Group: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Best Collaboration: A$AP Rocky (featuring Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar) – F***in’ Problems
Best Male Hip Hop Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj
Video Of The Year: Drake - Started From the Bottom
Video Director of the Year: Benny Boom
Best New Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Best Gospel Artist: Mary Mary
Best Actress: Kerry Washington
Best Actor: Jamie Foxx
YoungStars Award: Gabrielle Douglas
Best Movie: Think Like a Man
Subway Sportswoman of the Year: Gabrielle Douglas
Subway Sportsman of the Year: LeBron James
Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award: Drake – Started From the Bottom
Centric Award: Tamar Braxton – Love and War
Best International Act: Africa
2Face Idibia (Nigeria)
Toya Delazy (South Africa)
Donald (South Africa)
Ice Prince (Nigeria)
R2Bees (Ghana)
Radio and Weasel (Uganda)
Humanitarian Award: Dwyane Wade
Lifetime Achievement Award: Charlie Wilson
FANdemonium Award: Chris Brown
Subway Sportswoman of the Year: Gabrielle Douglas
Subway Sportsman of the Year: LeBron James
Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award: Drake – Started From the Bottom
Centric Award: Tamar Braxton – Love and War
Best International Act: Africa
2Face Idibia (Nigeria)
Toya Delazy (South Africa)
Donald (South Africa)
Ice Prince (Nigeria)
R2Bees (Ghana)
Radio and Weasel (Uganda)
Humanitarian Award: Dwyane Wade
Lifetime Achievement Award: Charlie Wilson
FANdemonium Award: Chris Brown