BET Awards 2014: Winners and Honorees

IN PHOTO: BET CEO Debra Lee (L) presents the humanitarian award, marking the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, to Mrs Myrlie Evers-Williams, on behalf of all who worked for civil rights, during the 2014 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California June 29, 2014. Reuters/Stringer

The African Americans hip hop community and other celebrities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment flocked to the Nokia Theatre L.A. in Los Angeles, California to commend the winners and honorees of the BET Awards 2014.

Based on the BET Web site, Beyonce grabbed the award for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist for quietly releasing a top-secret self-titled album which still topped the charts. She bested the other nominees Janelle Monae, Jhene Aiko, K. Michelle, Rihana, and Tamar Braxton.

Beyonce and Jay Z also took home the award for Best Collaboration in their instant hit "Drunk in Love". Other nominees for the said category include August Alsina F/Trinidad Jame$ for "I Luv This", Drake F/ Majid Jordan for "Hold on (We're Going Home)", Jay Z F/ Justin Timberlake for "Holy Grail", Robin Thicke F / T.I. and Pharrell Williams for "Blurred Lines", and YG F/ Jeezy and Rich Homie Quan for "My Hitta".

For the Best Male R&B/Pop Artist category, Pharrell Williams secured the award with his super production of the hit songs "Get Lucky", "Blurred Lines, and "Happy" which secured signature hats from everywhere and everyone including Oprah Winfrey. His contenders for the award include Justin Timberlake, John Legend, Chris Brown, and August Alsina.

Likewise, Pharrell Williams won the Video of the Year Award for the energy-infused visual of "Happy". Other nominees for the said category are Beyonce and Jay Z for "Drunk in Love", Chris Brown for "Fine China", Drake for "Worst Behavior", and Beyonce for "Partition".

Young Money won the Best Group category besting other nominees A$AP Mob, Daft Punk, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, and TGT. Meanwhile, Drake took home the award for Best Male Hip Hop Artist besting other nominees Future, J. Cole, Jay Z, and Kendrick Lamar. For the counterpart Best Female Hip Hop Artist, Nicki Minaj brought home the award. She bested the other nominees Iggy Azalea, Eve, Angel Haze, and Charli Baltimore.

Hype Williams won the award for Video Director of the Year besting other nominees Benny Boom, Chris Brown, Collin Tilley, and Director X. On the other hand, August Silvana was awarded Best New Artist. His contenders for the said category include Ariana Grande, Mack Wilds, Rich Homie Quan, and Schoolboy Q. For the Best Gospel Artist category, Tamela Mann won the award. Her fellow nominees for the said category are Erica Campbell, Tye Tribbett, Hezekiah Walker, and Donnie Mcclurkin.

Chiwetel Ejiofor garnered the Best Actor award for his riveting performance at the Oscar-winning "12 Years a Slave" which became a household name. His contenders for the category are Forest Whitaker, Idris Elba, Kevin Hart, and Michael B. Jordan. For the counterpart Best Actress category, Lupita Nyong'o received the award for her Academy Award winning role as Best Supporting Actress in "12 Years a Slave". She bested other nominees Oprah Winfrey, Angela Bassett, Gabrielle Union, and Kerry Washington. Keke Palmer brought home the Youngstars Award ahead of other nominees Gabrielle Douglas, Lacob Latimore, Jaden Smith, and Zendaya.

For the Best Movie Category, "12 Years a Slave" received the award and bested the other contenders "The Best Man Holiday", "Fruitvale Station", "Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain", and "Lee Daniels: The Butler".

Meanwhile, Serena Williams secured the award for Subway Sportswoman of the Year. Other nominees for the category are Brittney Griner, Lolo Jones, Skylar Diggins, and Venus Williams. For the counterpart Subway Sportsman of the Year, Kevin Durant brought home the award. His fellow nominees for the category are Blake Griffin, Carmelo Anthony, Flloyd Mayweather Jr., and LeBron James.

Jhene Aiko won the Centric Award for haunting and hard-hitting performance on "The Worst". Other contenders for the award are Aloe Blacc for "The Man", Jennnifer Hudson F / T.I. for "I Can't Describe (The Way I Feel)", Liv Warfield for "Why Do You Lie?", and Wale F / Sam Dew for "Lovehate Thing."

For the category on Best International Act: Africa, Davido from Nigeria for his third single "Skelewu" which was a huge overseas hit in the African charts. Other nominees for the category are Diamond Platnumz from Tanzania, Mafikizolo from South Africa, Sarkodie from Ghana, Tiwa Savage from Nigeria, and Toofan from Togo. For the counterpart Best International Act: UK, Suth London hip hop duo Krept & Konan grabbed the award for their single "Don't Waste My Time." Other nominees for the award are Dizzee Rascal, Ghetts, Laura Mvulla, Rita Ora, and Tinie Tempah.

The track "I Luv It" by August Alsina Featuring Trinidad James won the Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice Award. It bested the other nominees "The Worst" by Jhene Aiko", "Drunk in Love" by Beyonce featuring Jay Z, "Worst Behavior" by Drake, and "Happy" by Pharrell Williams.

BET Awards 2014 also honored Tim King for founding the Urban Prep Academies which promoted post-secondary success in Chicago. Denzel Thompson was also honored for his commendable efforts in starting urban farms to help people eat their way to better life. The memories of Casey Kasem, Jayare (Cali Swagg District), and DJ E-Z Rock were also honored during the event.