Nicki Minaj Wins Big at BET Hip-Hop Awards

The 2010 BET Hip-Hop Awards took place this weekend in Atlanta, and MTV News reports that Nicki Minaj continued her hot streak by picking up three trophies: Rookie of the Year, People's Champ and the Made You Look award, bestowed for her unforgettable fashions.

"I'm paving the way for girls," she said. "I wanna thank all the girls of hip-hop."

Although he was absent from the ceremony, Jay-Z also picked up three awards: Best Live Performer, Perfect Combo (for his Alicia Keys duet "Empire State of Mind"), CD of the Year (for 'The Blueprint 3').

The ladies of Salt-N-Pepa were recipients of the I Am Hip-Hop Award.

The show opened with Rick Ross (who won two trophies during the evening), along with Diddy and DJ Khaled, performing his hit "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)." As the stars segued into "MC Hammer," the rapping led up to an appearance from MC Hammer himself -- who performed his classic "2 Legit 2 Quit."

B.o.B., Cam'ron, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, Freekey Zekey, Big Boi, Yelawolf, Soulja Boy Tell'em, J. Cole, Cali Swag District, Digital Underground, Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame were among the other performers.

The awards, hosted by Mike Epps, will air October 12th at 8:00 pm (ET).

Star Sighting: The Show Man

Paying a personal tribute to the late Michael Jackson, evening emcee Jamie Foxx rocks the stage in the King of Pop's iconic red leather jacket and sparkling glove during a performance at the BET Awards Sunday night at L.A.'s Shrine Auditorium.

Beyonce's Ave Maria Tribute to Michael Jackson

As a tribute to Michael Jackson, Beyonce performed “Ave Maria” and Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel” onstage during the 2009 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on Sunday in Los Angeles.

If you missed it, check out Beyonce's incedible performance below.

Janet Jackson Speaks at BET Awards About Her Beloved Brother, Michael

Last Night's BET Awards at the Shrine Auditorium was turned into a tribute to the late Michael Jackson who died Thursday.

His little sister Janet Jackson, a superstar in her own right, made a surprise appearance on the show and tearfully said to the audience: “My entire family wanted to be here tonight but it was too painful.”

Here is the rest of what Janet said:

“To you, Michael is an icon. To us, Michael is family and he will forever live in our hearts. On behalf of my family and myself thank you for your love and support. We miss him so much. Thank you so much.”

After Janet left the stage, host Jamie Foxx and Ne-Yo sang a tribute duet to Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There.”

Here is Janet's speech and the performance by Jamie and Ne-Yo.

Joe Jackson Appears at BET Awards Tribute to Michael Jackson

There was an unexpected but most welcome figure on the red carpet of Los Angeles's Shrine Auditorium for Sunday night's BET Awards: Michael Jackson's father, Joe Jackson.

Sporting a black hat, sunglasses and a dark suit – and set to make an appearance onstage during the three-hour ceremony – the patriarch of the Jackson family told CNN about Michael: "I wish the world had recognized him when he was living. Right now, he's bigger than ever. But I wish he was here to see all this, to hear all this."

The memory of Michael dominated the gala. Host Jamie Foxx made his entrance in a red, leather "Billie Jean" jacket. "No need to be sad. We want to celebrate this black man," said Foxx. "We gonna go through all of Michael Jackson."

The host closed his opening monologue with his rendition of Jackson's signature Moonwalk. "I hope I can make it," said Foxx, adding that it was his first attempt at the fancy footwork since 1983.

Those that also tipped their hats to Michael included Beyoncé, Ne-Yo, Maxwell and Bobby Brown, set to reunite with New Edition to perform a Jackson 5 medley.

Alicia Keys and Wyclef Jean received Humanitarian Awards. Early in the ceremony, LeBron James, picking up his best male athlete trophy, told the crowd, "My heart and prayers go out to the whole Jackson family. What they did for us ... was amazing."