The BET Awards were held at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium Tuesday night and, while Senator Barack Obama did not attend, he was a big topic of conversation."If we all register and vote, we will have the first black president in the history of America," Sean "Diddy" Combs said, prior to leading the crowd in a chant of "Obama or Die."
In her acceptance speech for best female R&B performance, Alicia Keys said: "Together we can do anything. Obama y'all!"
Actress and comedienne Kim Whitley wore a purple shirt that read "Barack Obama 08" in sparkly black letters.
"I don't know him, and he doesn't know me," she said. "But we're gonna make eye contact one day."
The award show, hosted by actor and comedian D.L. Hughley, was kicked off by Usher's performance of his hit song, "Love in this Club." It also featured performances by T-Pain, Keys, Lil Wayne, Flo Rida and others.
Artists Jill Scott and Maxwell presented a Lifetime Achivement Award to (Reverend) Al Green, who performed his hits "Let's Stay Together" and "Love and Happiness."
"I'm sorry I didn't sing as well as I could," Green, 62, said backsage. "I got scared."
Quincy Jones was honored with the Humanitarian Award, and Queen Latifah introduced him as "an international artist, an innovator... and a leader."
"He showed us black entertainment is more than just a hustle," she said. "It's more than just selling albums. It's about inspiration."
Artists Jill Scott and Maxwell presented a Lifetime Achivement Award to (Reverend) Al Green, who performed his hits "Let's Stay Together" and "Love and Happiness."
"I'm sorry I didn't sing as well as I could," Green, 62, said backsage. "I got scared."
Quincy Jones was honored with the Humanitarian Award, and Queen Latifah introduced him as "an international artist, an innovator... and a leader."
"He showed us black entertainment is more than just a hustle," she said. "It's more than just selling albums. It's about inspiration."
Jones, 75, said he was inspired to help people in need due to his upbringing on Chicago's South Side.
"My piece of bread only belongs to me if everybody has a piece to eat," he said. He called receiving the award "one of the very treasured moments of my life... and I always hope to live up to this honor."
Full list of 2008 BET Award winners, courtesy of The Associated Press:
Female R&B artist: Alicia Keys
Male R&B artist: Chris Brown
Group: UGK
Gospel artist: Marvin Sapp
Female hip-hop artist: Missy Elliott
Male hip-hop artist: Kanye West
New artist: The-Dream
Collaboration: Kanye West f/T-Pain, "Good Life"
Video director: Erykah Badu and Mr. Roboto
Video of the Year: UGK f/Outkast, "International Player's Anthem (I Choose You)"
Actress: Halle Berry
Actor: Denzel Washington
Female athlete: Candace Parker
Male athlete: Kobe Bryant
BET J Award: Raheem DeVaughn
Viewers' choice: Lil Wayne, "Lollipop"
Lifetime Achievement Award: Al Green
Humanitarian Award: Quincy Jones
