The BET Awards was the place to be! The 2014 BET Awards aired live from the Nokia Theater in LA. Chris Rock 
The show opened with a performance by Pharrell Williams. He wore a hat, but it wasn’t the same Vivienne Westwood he’s been sporting in the past. He started the show off right and then introduced Missy Elliott! She has been off the scene for a while, but you would never know it. She looked great and their performance got the crowd off their feet, cheering and applauding.
Chris Rock took the stage to rousing applauds. It was good to see him too. He welcomed everyone to the 2014 BET Awards and said we’ve got excellence in music. “What happened this year in music? Solange and Jay Z happened this year.”
He then joked about Dr. Dre becoming a billionaire this year. “Dr. Dre got 3 billion dollars. The man that started NWA got 3 billion dollars.” His next comment was blacked out, you’ll have to roll the rerun to catch that one.
Whatever he said about Rick Ross was wiped out too. Too much for the censors.
Carrie Washington was his next victim. He said everyone thinks Scandal is a success because of Carrie Washington. Scandal is a success because it has a white president. “For one hour things are back to normal.”
Kevin Hart was his next victim. “Kevin Hart is in everything. Sometimes I think he’s in the trailer and not in the movie.” “The Butler was amazing. Oprah should have gotten an Oscar because she had to act like she was poor.”
He didn’t leave out Donald Sterling, and said, “An 83-year-old white man that doesn’t like black people. Is that new? The first black man he met he got for Christmas.”
The first BET Award of the evening was for Best New Artist. The BET Award went to August Alsina, best known for his song I Luv This. He took his time at the podium and soaked in all the cheers. He said, “I told myself when he got up here I wouldn’t cry, so I’m going to keep it together. I always wondered what this moment would feel like.”
Next, Chris Rock introduced a performance by Lil Wayne before the next award of the evening, which was for Best Gospel Artist. The BET Award went to Tamela Mann. She was in tears before she ever reached the stage. She said she had knee surgery a week before, and that’s why she was walking so slowly to the stage. She thanked her husband of 25 years and said, “all things are possible if you just believe.”
The next award was for Best Actress. A very tough category. The BET Award went to Lupita Nyong’o as the audience chanted “Carrie, Carrie.” Lupita was not there to accept the award.
Next up was a smooth performance by John Legend, and he was joined by Jhene Aiko performing her hit I Don’t Need You. Nice performance.
Mike Tyson announced that he will be hosting the Soul Train Awards on Centric. He beat on Gary Owen of Think Like a Man a little bit, but they announced the award for the Best Male Hip Hop Artist. The BET Award went to Drake. Drake couldn’t be there to accept, so Gary Owen accepted for him screaming, “Started From the Bottom” as he ran off stage.
Chris Rock noticed Paris Hilton in the audience and said, “You’re getting your Kardashian on tonight.”
Chris Rock then introduced Chris Brown singing his song with Lil Wayne called, Can’t Trust These Hoes. Let’s hope he can now spend more time performing on stage than defending himself in court. He had the whole room on their feet.
Kenya Moore played hostess during the broadcast and announced upcoming performances. Chris did a video asking white America if they know about the BET Awards. He drove up in a truck and said, “Don’t forget to watch the BET Awards” to the crowd of non-responsive folks.
The next presenter was Common to introduce the first Music Madness Artist. She plays five instruments and she’s only 17 years old. Her name is Gabbi Wilson.
The next performance was by Usher. He came out in a Pat Boone looking hat with a tail on it and went into a compilation of a few of his hits. He used his time wisely and broke out with his latest hit, Good Kisser. Yes indeed. Good one Usher.
Carrie Washington was up next to present the BET Award for Video of the Year, and Kevin Hart burst on the stage claiming he was her brother Oliver Pope. They did get to the part where they announced the winner of the BET Award for Video of the Year, and it was Pharrell Williams for Happy. Pharrell got a standing ovation before he ever got to the stage. He thanked God for the opportunity and said, “the song just became its own thing. The award is not really mine, it belongs to all of the people.”
Terry Crews came out and announced that he is the new host of Who Wants to Be A Millionaire. He also announced the Subway Sports Awards of the Year went to Kevin Durant and Serena Williams.
Chris Rock introduced Jennifer Hudson performing Walk it Out. And Chris Rock was right, Jennifer may have lost weight, but she did not lose her voice.
The next award category was Best Male R&B Pop Artist. The BET Award went to the Happy Man, Pharrell Williams. He said he didn’t know what else to say, “it’s all so shocking to me.” “This one here is for my son Rocky.”
The BET Awards next debuted the trailer for the new movie, Beyond the Lights. Check your local listings for that.
Followed by Chris mentioning that Ellen gave out pizza, so he thought it would be appropriate to hand out Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles. He gave one to Paris Hilton and said, “You wanted to be black tonight.”
He then announced that Nicki Minaj was up next. She was on stage sitting on the back of a motorcycle. Her rear was prominent in the shot. She drove off the stage and returned singing, Pills N Potions on the top of what looked like a giant mushroom.
Keyshia Cole was the next presenter, and she introduced Adrian Marcel. Another one of the Music Madness Artists.
Larenz Tate announced the successes of two businessmen who have made a difference.
Chris Rock followed and had to stretch for-time while the next performer prepared to take the stage. It was August Alsina who had just won for Best New Artist. He performed his hit, I Luv This. He was also joined by Trey Songz and surprisingly by Chris Brown too.
Trey Songz then went into his own hit, Na Na.
The ladies of The Real announced that they are coming back this Fall. That’s great news. The show was awesome, and it’s nice to see Tamar Braxton, Loni Love, Adrienne Bailon, and all the girls back.
Now it was Pharrell’s turn to take the role of presenter, and he announced the Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree was Lionel Richie. A video walked us through the life and achievements of Lionel, from the Commodores to his solo career, and many of the hit songs he’s written.
John Legend then performed, Hello and Still. And the ladies came out and sang, Brick House.
Gospel singer, Yolanda Adams sang another Lionel song he performed with the Commodores called, Jesus is Love.
Lionel was then given his opportunity to accept the BET Lifetime Achievement Award.
Lionel said, “35, 40 years ago these are the same songs that people said would ruin my career.” “Soul is a feeling not a color. Talent is a God-given gift and not a category.” He thanked the Commodores first, “because without them I won’t be standing here tonight.” And the second name he thanked was Berry Gordy, “I wanted to be Berry Gordy.”
He also thanked Suzanne de Passe as the one who discovered the Commodores.
Lionel said, “Thank you all very much. This is quite an honor.” And after a short lull, he took the stage and performed Easy Like Sunday Morning and All Night Long. His performance was certainly one of the highlights of the night. He killed it.
Chris Rock came back and had to stretch again before the next performance. And it turned out to be T.I. He turned it up, and he gave the stage over to Iggy Azalea to perform her hit, Fancy.
The next category was Best Group Award, and the BET Award went to Young Money. Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and the whole Young Money crew took the stage as Lil Wayne amped up the crowd.
Nicki Minaj told Lil Wayne to come up and accept the award, as she thanked him every day for putting it together. When Lil Wayne took the mike he yelled, “Young Mula Baby” and slammed the mike to the ground. He broke the mike and Chadwick Boseman had to hold it together to get through his introduction of the movie trailer on the life of James Brown that he stars in called, Get On Up.
The Coca Cola Viewers Choice Award went to August Alsina. He had a great night. He thanked God this time around, BET and the BET family. And he said he was so honored to be among the greats and the fans.
The show went over 3 hours into the performance of All I Do followed by Sex You Up and Freak Me Baby.
Chris Rock introduced Debra L. Lee who came up through the floor in a cloud of smoke. She said, “I can scratch that off of my bucket list. I did that for you, Kevin Hart.”
She then announced that it is the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and introduced a video that walked back through events that lead to the Civil Right Act.
Ms. Lee then presented the Humanitarian Award Presented by State Farm to Myrlie Evers-Williams. She told the audience to, “Embrace that time and embrace the future.”
Phylicia Rashād was next and she graciously honored the passing of Ruby Dee and Maya Angelou.
They also honored the passing of Bobby Womack when Tyrese Gibson sang If You Think You’re Lonely Now.
Up next was Robin Thick on his never-ending tour to get his wife Paula back. He said, “this is for my wife Paula, and it’s called, Forever Love. I wish him luck on his crusade, but I don’t think the songs are going to get Paula back. I hope he’s got something else up his sleeve.
Next came Floyd Mayweather Jr. with the nominees for the Best Female Hip Hop Artist. The BET Award went to Nicki Minaj. The Young Money crew was having a great night too. Nicki said, “This is my fifth year winning this award and I don’t take it for granted.”
“What I want the world to know about Nicki Minaj is when you hear Nicki Minaj spit, Nicki Minaj wrote it. No, no shade. No shade.” She went on, and on without being played off.
And finally, Chris Rock introduced Beyonce and Jay Z from the On the Run tour performing, Partition.
And then it was back to Chris Rock who said, “Tracy Morgan please get better. I’m Out.”
He dropped the mike like Lil Wayne and left the stage.
The performances and the 2014 BET Awards broadcast were very entertaining, a little long, but still one of the best.
See You Next Year!
Tanya Hart