Tonight’s winners at the 2012 BET Awards were announced during the Hip-Hop and R&B community’s nearly 3 hour celebration which included a tribute to deceased singer Whitney Houston. “The first time I heard Whitney’s voice, I was mesmerized like the rest of the world,” said Mariah Carey in tribute. ” Just an unknown, budding singer myself, I was captivated by the power in her range, the richness of her tone and her unique ability to wrap a lyric in emotion.”
Here’s a list of tonight’s winners at the 2012 BET Awards.
Best group: Kanye West and Jay-Z
Best actor: Kevin Hart
Sportswoman of the year: Serena Williams
Sportsman of the year: Kevin Durant
Best new artist: Big Sean
Best male R&B artist: Chris Brown
Best collaboration: Wale featuring Miguel “Lotus Flower Bomb”
Best gospel: Yolanda Adams
Best female R&B artist: Beyonce
Best female hip-hop artist: Nicki Minaj
Video of the Year: Jay-Z and Kanye West, “Otis”
Lifetime Achievement: Frankie Beverly featuring Maze
Humanitarian Award: Rev. Al Sharpton
Viewer’s Choice Award: Mindless Behavior
Video Director of the Year: Beyonce and Alan Ferguson
Fandemonium Award: Chris Brown
Centric award: Common