BET's annual mega-salute to superlative performances in music, sports and entertainment again lit up the Hollywood skyline and the majestic Kodak Theatre, with rapper/producer impresario Kanye West grabbing awards for Best Male Hip Hop artist and for Video of the Year for his spiritual composition "Jesus Walks."

First-time BET Awards nominees Ciara and John Legend each walked away with trophies, as Ciara won for Best Collaboration for her tandem with rapper Missy Elliott on "1, 2 Step," and Legend scored as Best Male New Artist.  BET also used the star-studded night to honor music legend Gladys Knight with the network's Lifetime AchievementAward, and Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington and his wife Pauletta with the BET Humanitarian Award.

BET's big night exploded with amazing performances and special salutes as Hollywood power couple Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett Smith served as hosts for the first time.  Performers included living legend Stevie Wonder, smoking hot "Dirty South" rapper T.I. along with superstars Mariah Carey, Destiny's Child, Toni Braxton, Ludacris, Missy Elliott, former Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames. G>B2K phenom Omarion, Mike Jones, Fantasia, Tye Tribbett and The Game joining in an "off the meter" throw-down that rocked the house and the thousands fortunate enough to have a seat for BET's biggest show of the year.  A sparkling list of Hollywood'scelebrity A-List also joined the show as presenters, including Halle Berry,
Tom Cruise, Alicia Keys, Steve Harvey and Mario.

The night also had some solemn moments as BET paid memorial tributes to actor Ossie Davis, attorney Johnnie Cochran, singer Rick James and rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard, all of whom died since last's BET AWARDS show.

Winners Include: Kanye West (Best Male Hip Hop & Video of the Year), Shaquille O'Neal (Male Athlete), Serena Williams (Female Athlete), Jamie Foxx
(Best Actor), Regina King (Best Actress), John Legend  (Best New Artist), Remy
Martin (Best Female Hip Hop), Ciara featuring Missy Elliott (BestCollaboration), Destiny's Child (Best Group), Usher (Best Male R&B), AliciaKeys (Best Female R&B).

Credits: Press Release