Vibe.com, June 28th, 2006
Beyonce kicked off the show with an electric performance of her new single, “Déjà Vu,” alongside an assist from Jay-Z.
Later in the evening, West picked up the Best Duet/Collaboration award with Jamie Foxx for “Gold Digger,” while Blige snatched the award for Best Female R&B; video, for her “Be Without You” clip. Blige and West later tied, with each winning an award for Video of The Year.
Teen sensation Chris Brown beat out the likes of Busta Rhymes, Mariah Carey, Keyshia Cole, Ne-Yo and T.I. for the Viewer’s Choice award. The 17-year-old R&B; heartthrob brought Ne-Yo to the stage with him to accept the award.
“Ne-Yo is like my big brother. We bringing R&B; back,” Brown said.
Later, the capacity crowd all got on their feet as the likes of Stevie Wonder, Yolanda Adams, India.Arie and Prince gathered on stage to tribute R&B; legend Chaka Khan, who won the Lifetime Achievement Award.
In addition to Khan, actor Danny Glover delivered a poignant speech for Harry Belafonte, who earned the BET Humanitarian Award for his generous contributions in the community. Despite the acknowledgement, Belafonte reminded the crowd and television viewers that epidemics like Hurricane Katrina, Aids and minorities in prison continue to wreak havoc within the urban community.
Prince eventually closed out the show with an assist from the Black Eyed Peas frontman will.I.am.
Earlier in the night, the likes of Brown, Blige, T.I., Ne-Yo, Cole, Busta and Foxx each hit the stage with their respective onstage performances. Foxx surprised the crowd during his performance, when he kissed R&B; singer Fantasia Barrino. Brown capped his performance with a blackflip off the stage, while T.I. got an assist from boxing promoter Don King. However, Busta pulled the biggest surprise of the night during his “Touch It” remix performance. During the performance, Busta brought out Blige, Rah Digga, Missy Elliott, Papoose, Lloyd Banks and in a shocking move, Eminem. Shady, who was making his first huge public appearance since the death of his fellow D12 member and best friend Proof, capped the rousing performance with an added verse to the “Touch It” remix.
The following is a complete list of winners from last night:
Best Female Hip Hop - Missy Elliott
Best New Artist - Chris Brown
Best Male Athlete - LeBron James
Best Male R&B; - Prince
Best Male Hip Hop - T.I.
Best Female R&B; - Mary J. Blige
Best Duet/Collaboration - Kanye West f/ Jamie Foxx, "Gold Digger"
Best Gospel Artist - Kirk Franklin
Lifetime Achievement Award - Chaka Khan
Humanitarian Award - Harry Belafonte
Viewer's Choice - Chris Brown, "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)"
Video of the Year - Mary J. Blige, "Be Without You" and Kanye West f. Jamie Foxx, "Gold Digger." (Tie).
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