Reverencing Performances at BET Awards 2009 & Red Carpet Images

Published on: 29th June, 2009

In just four short days subsequent to the loss of the pop idol, BET re-arranged most of its scheduled performances as a mark of reverence. Many performers altered their initial intended schedule to croon to the hymns of the Pop Star. Jackson’s father and Sister Janet were in attendance at the awards show. Janet took to the stage with great courage and poise, evidently heavy-throated as she fondly reminisced about her brother.

Jay-z gyrated to his latest single ‘D.O.A (Death OF Auto-Tune)’ bellowing the name of the pop star towards the concluding stages of his performance, as the video for the same was unfurled for the first time.

Jamie Foxx did a marvellous job hosting the awards right from effortlessly donning the trade-mark Jackson like outfits, moon walking et al with great élan as he announced the special academic honours.

The performances of Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy, Drake, T-Pain, Travis Barker, Cash Money were quite lack lustre. Ne-Yo who eventually won the ‘Best Male R & B Artist’ award, gave a memorable show as he sang ‘Lady in My Life’ and the final co-sung ‘I’ll Be There’ with Jamie Foxx was a befitting tribute to Jackson. The O’Jays gave a three song long classy performance while Maxwell’s silky serene piece of ‘Pretty Wings’ was quite endearing.

Ciara looked all transcendent carrying off the Jackson jacket with bobbles and all, as she sang the soul stirring song ‘Heal the World’. Queen Latifah’s short emergence during Mary Mary’s ‘God in Me’ added the necessary spruce to the act. Mary Mary won the ‘Best Gospel Artist Award’ this year.

Beyonce in sheer white slip breezily sang ‘Ave Maria’ and ‘Angel’, eventually won the ‘Best Female R & B Artist’ award. Ne-Yo won the ‘Best Male R & B Artist’ award while Day26 won the ‘Best Group’ award. Keri Hilson all geared in Jackson’s Bad look kept it dynamic as she sung ‘Knock You Down’, finally won the ‘Best New Artist’ award. Lil Mama and Lil Wayne won the Best Female and Male Hip-Hop Artist awards respectively. Pleasure P with his number ‘Boyfriend #2’ and Amerie expressed the profundity with which Jackson influenced their singing.

Many like Sean Paul and Ryan Leslie did Jackson impersonations as a way to show their respect to the star.

The finale performance of ‘I’ll Be There’ was a wonderful finish to a fine show, although the show was far from top-notch extravagance, did manage to sustain good momentum with the last minute planned performances of the artists. The show happened in the time when the grieving weren’t ready just yet to celebrate.