[UPDATE] Watch BET Awards 2011 Winners: Jaden and Willow Smith Win Young Stars Award
The BET Awards were established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past year. This year some of those categories include Best Group, Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Best Actress, Best Actor, Video Director of the Year, and even Sportsman of the Year, to name a few.
Chris Brown who stole the show last year with his outstanding tribute performance to Michael Jackson, is up for Best Male R&B Artist, twice in Best Collaboration, Video of the Year, Best Actor, and Viewer’s Choice.
Hosted by comedian Kevin Hart, this year's ceremony honors nominees from top dogs like Kanye West and Lil Wayne to newcomers including Cymphonique and Cali Swag District. Chris Brown is up for best male R&B artist, viewer's choice and video of the year for "Look at Me Now."
“I love that the BET Awards is a show that feels like a family gathering,” says Stephen G. Hill, BET’s Executive Vice President of Entertainment and Music Programming, who has served as executive producer of the BET Awards since 2002.
# BEST MALE R&B ARTIST:
Chris Brown
Cee-Lo Green
Bruno Mars
Trey Songz
Usher
# BEST FEMALE R&B ARTIST:
Marsha Ambrosius
Beyoncé
Keri Hilson
Jennifer Hudson
Rihanna
# BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST:
B.o.B
Drake
Lil Wayne
Rick Ross
Kanye West
# BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST:
Diamond
Cymphonique
Lola Monroe
Nicki Minaj
# VIDEO OF THE YEAR:
Marsha Ambrosius – “Far Away”
B.o.B. f/ Hayley Williams of Paramore – “Airplanes”
Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes – “Look at Me Now”
Keri Hilson – “Pretty Girl Rock”
Willow Smith – “Whip My Hair”
Kanye West f/ Pusha T – “Runaway”
