BET Awards 2013

Stealing the spotlight! Nicki Minaj overshadows Chris Brown in a VERY low cut silver corset as she joins him for a surprise duet at BET Awards 

• Nicki Minaj won Best Female Hip Hop Artist for the fourth year running
• Multi-nominee Drake mysteriously pulled out of the show at the last minute

Nicki Minaj appeared at Sunday night's BET Awards for a surprise duet with Chris Brown.
The hip hop superstar was hoisted above the audience at the end of Brown's rendition of Fine China and Don't Think They Know, which he performed with vocals from the late singer Aaliyah, whose image was shown behind the stage.
Minaj's appearance was typically dramatic, with the singer rapping at the end of Brown's set, sporting a plunging silver glittering corset top and hip hugging black trousers which showed off her curves to the maximum.

Plunging: Nicki Minaj showed off her cleavage in a tight, plunging silver corset as she took to the stage at Sunday's BET Awards

BET's censors struggled to bleep out some of the singer's expletives during her appearance.
She later swapped the oufit for an equally plunging black leather and a long skirt to accept the award for Best Female Hip Hop Artist, for the fourth year running.
'This is my fourth award in a row and everytime I win it's a humbling experience because my fans are such amazing people,' Nicki said in her acceptance speech.
'They inspire me. I'm going to keep doing it for you all. BET, you've been supporting me from day one.'

Surprise appearance: Minaj's risqué rap had the BET censors scrambling at the end of Brown's performance

Sky high: Minaj was hoisted above the audience at the end of Chris Brown's performance 

Award winning: She later swapped the put fit for an equally plunging black leather and a long skirt to accept the award for Best Female Hip Hop Artist, for the fourth year in a row.

Curvy: Minaj showed off her curves in yet another revealing gown as she posed backstage with her award

Brown also won a gong, scooping the Fandemonium Award for the fourth time in a row, and he immediately thanked Minaj.
'First off, I want to thank Nicki for performing with me and making it an incredible performance. Thank you baby girl,' he said, before voicing his appreciation to 'Team Breezy.'
He ended by telling the crowd: 'Don't read the bull in the news. I'm a real dude.'

The white stuff: Mariah Carey took to the stage to perform her latest hit Beautiful

Earlier, Minaj's American Idol arch rival Mariah Carey took to the stage to perform new song Beautiful with Miguel and Young Jeezy.

Energy: Chris Brown put in an enthusiastic performance of two of his hits to open the 2013 BET Awards

Hitmaker: Brown performed Fine China and Don't Think They Know, with a menagerie of dancers

Lifetime Achievement: R&B legend Charlie Wilson performed on stage after accepting his prestigious award from Justin Timberlake

Paying tribute: Charlie Wilsopn thanked his fans and family after accepting the award from the Suit & Tie singer

Sporting a black suit, shirt and bow tie, Justin Timberlake introduced the soul legend.
'I'm so honoured to be here tonight, because we have cultivated a timeless bond. Not only has Charlie conquered every genre of music, he has a voice which only comes along once a lifetime,' he said.
'Charlie Wilson is soul music. His impact colours the work of many artists, which is basically my nice way of saying I and a lot of other artists have stolen from him.'

Wowing the crowd: Pharrell, Timberlake and Wilson took to the stage in an energetic performance on stage

Dance move and groove: Timberlake appeared to highly enjoy grooving on stage alongside Snoop

Proud winner: Wilson posed with his accolade with Sunday night's musical collaborators

After a video montage honouring 60-year-old Wilson's life in music, India Arie, Jamie Foxx and Stevie Wonder all took to the stage.
Arie sung There Goes My Baby, Foxx performed Yearning For Your Love and Wonder wowed the crowd with Burn Rubber and Why You Want to Hurt Me
'It is by God's grace that has allowed me to stand here today still at the top of my game,' Wilson told the crowd in his acceptance speech. 

International hit: Robin Thicke sung Blurred Lines sporting a black suit, white shirt and aviator sunglasses

Dramatic: Thicke gave a cool, laid back performance of the number one hit

The Gap Band star didn't need much persuading to sing a number or two himself and brought the audience to its feet with his song You Are before being joined onstage by Pharrell Williams and Snoop Lion before Timberlake stepped out to form an unlikely quartet.
The foursome ended the spectacular with Gap hits You Dropped a Bomb on Me and Outstanding.
In a performance-packed show,  Robin Thicke took the stage to perform his international hit Blurred Lines.

Striking out: Ciara put in a striking performance of song Body Party featuring Nicki Minaj

Slim and trim: Ciara showed off her flat toned tummy in the outfit which was decorated with one dollar notes

Another guest appearance: Minaj was a prominent part of the stage show

Thicke was joined by Pharrell and T.I. on stage to perform the hit before MIguel won the night's first award for best male R&B pop artist, beating out Brown, Usher, Justin Timberlake and Bruno Mars.
'I got to really give it up to all the other guys in this category,' he said. 'I want to say to anyone out there. Stick to your guns and you can do anything you believe in.'
Don Cheadle presented Miguel with the award, and dedicated the night to the ailing Nelson Mandela.

'We want to take a moment and send our prayers and thoughts to a man who literally changed the world,' he said.' This evening we would like offer prayers and support and hope to the extraordinary Nelson Mandela and his family.'

Dancing in victory:  Actor Kevin Hart presents the Best Actor award to Jamie Foxx prompting an acceptance jig

 

Purple patch: Jamie Foxx posed backstage with with his Best Actor Award while 

while Olympian Gabrielle Douglas won the YoungStars Award

Kendrick Lamar won Best New Artist, but failed to make it to the stage to collect the trophy after being delayed backstage preparing for his performance.
However, Lamar later got the chance to shine when he accepted the accolade for Best Male Hip Hop Artist.
'Most importantly to my little home boys and my home girls back in the city, you looking at me on TV right now, I came up in that same county building, food stamps, welfare section eight,' he told the crowd. 'This is living proof that you can do anything you put your mind to.'

 

  Don Cheadle presented the award

Host with the most: Don Cheadle presented the award for Best Male R&B male pop artist to Miguel

I believe I can fly: R Kelly wore a striking silver studded black jacker and leather trousers as he performed a medley of his hits

Hell for leather: R Kelly cut a striking figure in his leather look with sharp looking studs

The Compton-based rapper then stepped on stage to perform M.A.A.D City and B***** Don't Kill My Vibe with Erykah Badu who sported a bizarre ensemble of sky print leggings, orange and a hat.

He, along with 2 Chainz, were the second most nominated acts behind Drake, who was up for 12 honours, including five nominations for video of the year, which had 10 nominees.
However, Drake mysteriously pulled-out of the Awards at the last minute, telling producers that he would not appear at the event in Los Angeles.
His withdrawal sparked rumours that he did not want to run into Chris Brown after a fight broke out between the pair last year.

Rubbing shoulders: Snoop Lion and Nelly share a chat and a catch up in the audience of the Nokia Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles

The BET Awards 2013: THE WINNERS

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist: Rihanna

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist: Chris Brown

Best Group: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Best Collaboration: A$AP Rocky (featuring Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar) – F***in’ Problems

Best Male Hip Hop Artist: Kendrick Lamar

Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj

Video Of The Year: Drake - Started From the Bottom

Video Director of the Year: Benny Boom

Best New Artist: Kendrick Lamar

Best Gospel Artist: Mary Mary

Best Actress: Kerry Washington

Best Actor: Jamie Foxx

YoungStars Award: Gabrielle Douglas
 

Best Movie: Think Like a Man

Subway Sportswoman of the Year: Gabrielle Douglas

Subway Sportsman of the Year: LeBron James

Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award: Drake – Started From the Bottom

Centric Award: Tamar Braxton – Love and War

Best International Act: Africa
2Face Idibia (Nigeria)
Toya Delazy (South Africa)
Donald (South Africa)
Ice Prince (Nigeria)
R2Bees (Ghana)
Radio and Weasel (Uganda)

Humanitarian Award: Dwyane Wade

Lifetime Achievement Award: Charlie Wilson

FANdemonium Award: Chris Brown