This year's BET Awards was a night of surprise performances big name tributes and statues taken home by some of music's newcomers. Kanye West kicked off the show with a performance of his latest single 'Power,' while Eminem, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole, Chris Brown, Alicia Keys and Diddy all took the stage. Newcomers Drake and Nicki Minaj took home awards in the Best Male and Female Hip-Hop Artists categories, while veterans Keys and Jay-Z also snagged a Best Collaboration Statue for their single 'Empire State of Mind.' Keys, who is pregnant with her first child also took home an award for Best Female R&B Artists, didn't miss a beat not only performing a melody of her own songs but also taking the stage to pay tribute to Prince who was the night's Lifetime Achievement Awards recipient. Other winners included Rihanna, Trey Songz and Monica.
The surprise emotional moment of the night came by way of Chris Brown's tribute to the late Michael Jackson. Brown was introduced by Jackson's older brother Jermaine and performed several of the King of Pop's hits before breaking down into tears at the end of his performance.
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