Christopher Polk/Getty Images For BET
The 2012 BET Awards went down on July 1 in Los Angeles, and the TV network's annual trophy handout was packed with big names and memorable moments. Whitney Houston and Donna Summer received tributes, Nicki Minaj and Kanye West took the stage, and stars lit up the red carpet. Check out scenes from the show.
Pictured: Beyonce, Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Kim Kardashian.
BET Awards 2012
The 2012 BET Awards went down on July 1 in Los Angeles, and the TV network's annual trophy handout was packed with big names and memorable moments. Whitney Houston and Donna Summer received tributes, Nicki Minaj and Kanye West took the stage, and stars lit up the red carpet. Check out scenes from the show.
Pictured: Beyonce, Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Kim Kardashian.
The superstar couples (and Solange Knowles, far left) sat front row.
Kardashian also hung out with Nicki Minaj.
Kimye held hands at the event.
Kim Kardashian and Beyonce.
Kanye West met Whitney Houston's mother, Cissy.
Mariah Carey (left) greeted Cissy Houston.
Carey spoke during a tribute to Houston.
Angela Bassett, Lela Rochon, and Loretta Devine, who appeared with Houston in the 1995 movie "Waiting To Exhale," also helped honor the late singer.
R&B Chaka Khan sang her hit "I'm Every Woman," which Houston later covered, during the diva's tribute.
Chaka Khan.
Monica performed.
Cissy Houston sang an emotional tribute to her late daughter.
Chante Moore took the stage for a tribute to Boston-bred diva Donna Summer.
Moore honoring Summer.
Moore sang a disco ball twinkled above.
Rapper and media personality Free, who grew up in Boston.
Nicki Minaj with her Best Female Artist.
Minaj also hit the stage.
The superstar rapper performed "Celebration" and "Beez in the Trap."
Kanye West (left) and Jay-Z took home Best Group award for their project The Throne.
Actress Meagan Good presented Chris Brown with the award for Best Male R&B Artist.
Mindless Behavior took home the Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice Award.
Entertainment mogul Tyler Perry.
Chris Brown accepted the Fandemonium Award from show host Samuel L. Jackson.
Beyonce won the award for Video Director of the Year with director Alan Ferguson.
Chris Brown performed.
Brown rocked gray body paint as he sang tracks like "Turn Up the Music."
A move from Brown's athletic show.
Brown and dancers struck a menacing pose.
R&B crooner Usher performed.
The megastar performed his hit "Climax."
Frankie Beverly and Tyrese hit the stage.
Valerie Simpson performed a tribute to her late husband and songwriting partner, Nick Ashford.
Host Samuel L. Jackson (right) and Spike Lee spoofed one of Kanye West and Jay-Z's hit songs, performing "Negroes in Paris."
D'Angelo made his first live television appearance in over a decade.
D’Angelo also premiered his new song "Sugar Daddy."
Kanye West (center) Pusha T, 2 Chainz, and Big Sean opened the show with their collabo "Mercy."
Taraji P. Henson (left) and Regina King hung out backstage.
Jamie Foxx and Kerry Washington.
Best Male Actor winner Kevin Hart.
La La Anthony.
Tyga.
Singer Brandy.
Mindless Behavior.
Monica on the red carpet.
Model and actress Selita Ebanks.
Lyricist Busta Rhymes.
Actress Angela Bassett attends.
Rapper and actor Common.
Choreographer Laurieann Gibson.
Singer and actress Willow Smith.
Willow's brother Jaden Smith.
Actress and Harvard alumnaTatyana Ali.
Music mogul Jermaine Dupri.
Rapper Rick Ross.
Former Destiny's Child singer Michelle Williams with fellow DC alumna Letoya Luckett (right) and Big Sean (center).
