The BET Awards, generally considered to be one of the hottest tickets in
town for its several music performances, are handed out at the Shrine
Auditorium in Los Angeles.  

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (JUNE 24, 2008) REUTERS -
The BET Awards, an event honouring black recording artists, actors
and athletes, were handed out in a ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium in Los
Angeles Tuesday (June 24).  Considered to be one of the hottest tickets in
town, the BET Awards featured several musical performances, and was hosted by
comedian D.L. Hughley.
    Along with the tons of "bling" that comes standard on a red
carpet loaded with rap stars was some friendly competition from rapper Souljah
Boy.
    "I already won an award earlier, and hopefully I can take home
best new artist, 'cos i feel like 2007 was my year man," says rapper
Souljah Boy, 'Crank Dat' was the biggest single ever, everybody was doing the
dance, hopefully I can take it home man, I want it bad."
    Teen sensation Chris Brown, who topped the U.S. singles chart last year
with 'Kiss Kiss,' was named best male R&B performer, while rapper Kanye
West picked up two prizes, one for best Hip Hop male performer, and shared the
award for best collaboration with rapper T-Pain on the hit single 'Good Life.'
 West, whose third album, 'Graduation,' was one of 2007's top-selling releases
and spawned three Grammys, praised his music partner as well as himself in his
acceptance speech.
    "You know, a lot of times people try to get real fickle about what
they're hearing because the person got a lot of songs on the radio, but we're
blessed to be in this man's presence, and I'll let you all know, cuz I'm one
of the kings of this game right now, and my opinion counts, that's why I did a
song with T-Pain," says West. 
    T-Pain, a southern soul singer with a best-selling ringtone adapted
from his hit single 'Buy U a Drank,' was visibly humbled and euphoric.
    "I want to say I appreciate everybody that laughed at me when I
brought them my demo.  Two years ago I couldn't even get a ticket to get up in
here, I appreciate everybody, I told you homey, I told you," says Rapper
T-Pain.
    Among the standout performances of the evening was Usher, singing his
hit 'In This Club,' Rihanna, who performed 'Take A Bow,' and Alicia Keys, who
took the stage with three leading female ensemble acts from the 1990s, TLC, En
Vogue and Sisters with Voices -- for a medley of R&B music.
    Keys, who is flying high with a successful worldwide tour, a
chart-topping album and an upcoming film went on to win the prize for best
female R&B artist.  The singer was one of several stars who used the
occasion to salute presidential contender Barack Obama, who would be the first
African-American elected to the nation's highest office.
    "I want to dedicate this award to the end of the word 'can't.' 
That's right, that word is dead, we don't know that word, the only word that
exists is 'can' because together we can do anything -- Obama y'all," says
Alicia Keys.
    The viewers' choice award, determined by an online vote of fans, went
to Lil Wayne and his single 'Lollipop,' featuring Static.  The best and
actress awards went to Oscar winners Denzel Washington and Halle Berry,
neither of whom attended.  Soul crooner Al Green was given a Lifetime
Achievement Award, and Quincy Jones was given a prize for his humanitarian
work.  
    The eighth annual BET Awards was presented by the BET (Black
Entertainment Television) Networks cable group, which carried the three-hour
show live.