2008 BET Awards (Winners and Nominees)

2008 BET Awards

Anyone that truly knows me, understands that I am not the biggest BET fan. I am infatuated with my rich Black heritage and culture, but the BET that was created over 20 years ago is not the BET that is on the television today. Maybe it is because of the Uncle Tom — Bob Johnson — that was running the station, did not love his own culture enough to want it to be thoroughly successful, or maybe because Viacom would love for the Black community to appear as their lives are in shambles (so they give us a billion dollars and say ”dance and rap… monkeys”). Nonetheless, something I continue to watch, simply because of the original intention, is the BET Awards.

The BET Awards started in 2000 and is a celebration of Black culture, music, fashion, and self-awareness, which is something truly difficult to find in any aspect of America. Therefore, when the awards show comes on, I am always excited to see that winners, the lifetime achievement recipient, the humanitarian award recipient, and of course, the fantastic performances from the hottest artists in the music industry.

Initially, I was going to give a huge run-down of the performances and my opinions of them, but quite frankly, I think you would rather read who won what awards. I will say, however, after patiently anticipating Usher’s 4 year return, I was not disappointed with his high-energy performance. People can continue to say want they would like about Usher, but he is a pure entertainer. Chris Brown is an amazing singer, dancer, and performer, but let us remember who is “teacher is.” The opening performance of “Love in this Club” showed incredible skills from the background dancers.

Following the introduction, D.L. Hughley, immediately joked about R. Kelly and him being found not guilty and about America finally being ready for a Black President.

I believe the 2008 BET Awards had a night full or ups and some downs. I will not point out the downs because the purpose of the awards show is for uplifting the Black community, something that BET seems to rarely do anymore. Many remarkable performers took the stage by storm: Rihanna, Marvin Sapp, Keyshia Cole, Jeezy, Kanye West, Nelly, Jermaine Dupri, Fergie, Rick Ross (please zip up your shirt), Ludacris, DJ Khaled, Big Boi, Flo-Rida, etc. I think the night had many things to point out, but my favorite performances of the night were:

A return of the best female R&B groups of the 1990’s — Alicia Keys with SWV, En Vogue, and TLC (RIP Left Eye)

Honoring the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient — The wonderful Al Green, Jill Scott, Anthony Hamilton and Maxwell

Sexiest Performance of the Night — Chris Brown and Ciara (A complete surprise and one of the hottest performances of the night) I was shocked when she came out, but she definitely did this song justice. She is one of the best dancers out and what else do you expect from Chris Brown)?

Respect must be given to Lil Wayne and T. Pain for their great performances as well. They are always entertainers!

 

2008 BET Award winners:

Best Female R&B Artist: Alicia Keys

Best Male R&B Artist: Chris Brown

Best Group: UGK

Best Gospel Artist: Marvin Sapp 

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist: Missy Elliott

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist: Kanye West

Video of the Year: UGK/Outkast – “International Player’s Anthem”

Best Video Director: Erykah Badu and Mr. Roboto

Best Actress: Halle Berry

Best Actor: Denzel Washington

Best Female Athlete of the Year: Candace Parker

Best Male Athlete of the Year: Kobe Bryant

Best Collaboration: Kanye West/T Pain – “The Good Life”

Viewers Choice Award: Lil’ Wayne

BET-J Award: Raheem DeVaughn

Best New Artist: The Dream

Humanitarian Award: Quincy Jones

Lifetime Achievement Award: Al Green

Overall, I think the 2008 BET Awards was a good display of what the Black community can do if we quit focusing on the negatives and quit letting people define us for us. We are bombarded with so many fallacies about ourselves and it is time that we rewrite our history and let society understand “the real us.” It is time for the greatest paradigm shift that America and the world has ever saw!

Like the beautiful and talented Alicia Keys said, “we are incredible, fly, and everyone wants to be like us… I want to dedicate this award to the end of the word CAN’T. That word is DEAD! We don’t know that word. The only word that exists is CAN! Together, we can do anything!

To continue with the language of the June 24th BET Awards… “OBAMA Y’ALL!”

2008 BET Awards

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