Tag Archives: Beyonce

Talent And Nominees Are Announced For BET Awards ’13

Chris+Tucker+Celebs+BET+Awards+Press+Conference+uFrGFQ4msjnxNominees were recently announced at the official BET Awards ’13 press conference in Los Angeles, by BET’s President of Music Programming and Specials, Stephen G. Hill ; this year’s BET Awards ’13 host, blockbuster movie star and comedian Chris Tucker ; R&B artist Chris Brown ; hip hop artist Kendrick Lamar; and singer and television personality Tamar Braxton .

Leading the pack of A-list nominees include, hip hop artist Drake, with an impressive 12 nominations including Best Male Hip Hop Artist and Video of the Year; close behind is breakthrough hip hop artist Kendrick Lamar and rapper 2 Chainz tied with 8 nominations; A$AP Rocky with 5 nominations; while Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake and Miguel face off with 4 nominations each in the categories of Best Collaboration, Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award and Video of the Year.

In what is sure to be a showdown of epic proportions, this year’s Video of the Year Award has a phenomenal line-up of 10 nominees including Kanye West , Justin Timberlake , Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, 2 Chainz, A$AP Rocky, Miguel and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis , all vying to get their hands on the sought-after trophy.

During the press conference, Chris Brown was exclusively announced as the first confirmed performer.  As an added bonus, R. Kelly is closing the BET Awards ’13 and will head over to the Staples Center immediately after to open the BET Experience concert. In addition, a living legend, Charlie Wilson was announced as the recipient of the prestigious Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award, to honor his four decades in the entertainment industry.

The nominees for the BET Awards ’13 include:

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyonce
Tamar Braxton
Alicia Keys
Rihanna
Elle Varner

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Chris Brown
Bruno Mars
Miguel
Justin Timberlake
Usher

Best Group
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Mary Mary
Mindless Behavior
Slaughterhouse
The Throne (Kanye West & Jay-Z)

Best Collaboration
2 Chainz f/ Drake – No Lie
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – Problems
French Montana f/ Rick Ross, Drake and Lil Wayne – Pop That
Kendrick Lamar f/ Drake – Poetic Justice
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – Suit & Tie
Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz – Mercy

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
2 Chainz
A$AP Rocky
Drake
Future
Kendrick Lamar

Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Azealia Banks
Eve
Nicki Minaj
Rasheeda
Rye Rye

Video of the Year
2 Chainz f/ Drake – No Lie
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – Problems
Drake – Started From The Bottom
Drake f/ Lil Wayne – HYFR
Kendrick Lamar f/ Drake – Poetic Justice
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f/ Wanz – Thrift Shop
Miguel – Adorn
Rihanna – Diamonds
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – Suit & Tie
Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz – Mercy

Video Director of the Year
A$AP Rocky & Sam Lecca
Benny Boom
Director X
Dre Films
Hype Williams

Best New Artist
Azealia Banks
Joey Bada$$
Kendrick Lamar
Trinidad Jame$
The Weeknd

Best Gospel Artist
Deitrick Haddon
Lecrae
Tamela Mann
Mary Mary
Marvin Sapp

Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Halle Berry
Taraji P. Henson
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington

Best Actor
Don Cheadle
Common
Jamie Foxx
Samuel L. Jackson
Denzel Washington

YoungStars Award
Gabrielle Douglas
Jacob Latimore
Keke Palmer
Jaden Smith
Quvenzhane Wallis

Best Movie
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap
Sparkle
Think Like A Man

Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Gabrielle Douglas
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Serena Williams
Venus Williams

Subway Sportsman of the Year
Victor Cruz
Kevin Durant
Robert Griffin III
LeBron James
Ray Lewis

Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – Problems
Drake – Started From The Bottom
Kendrick Lamar – Swimming Pools (Drank)
Miguel – Adorn
Rihanna – Diamonds
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – Suit & Tie

Centric Award
Tamar Braxton – Love and War
Fantasia – Lose To Win
Miguel – Adorn
Nas – Daughters
Charlie Wilson – My Love Is All I Have

Best International Act: Africa
2Face Idibia (Nigeria)
Toya Delazy (South Africa)
Donald (South Africa)
Ice Prince (Nigeria)
R2Bees (Ghana)
Radio and Weasel (Uganda)

Best International Act: UK
Marsha Ambrosius
Estelle
Labrinth
Rita Ora
Emeli Sande
Wiley

This year for the first time, the general public can purchase tickets to the BET Awards with a BET Experience VIP Package, which also includes 3-day tickets to nightly concerts at the Staples Center.

Join the conversation on social media by following BET’s multiple social media platforms, dedicated to the BET Awards:

Follow on Twitter & Instagram : @BETAwards, Use hashtag: #BETAwards
On Facebook: facebook.com/TheBETAwards
On Tumblr: betawards.tumblr.com
*All times are ET/PT

The BET AWARDS ’13 will premiere Sunday, June 30, 2013 at 8:00PM BST across BET’s international platforms in the UK and Africa.

Talent And Nominees Are Announced For BET Awards ’13

Chris+Tucker+Celebs+BET+Awards+Press+Conference+uFrGFQ4msjnxNominees were recently announced at the official BET Awards ’13 press conference in Los Angeles, by BET’s President of Music Programming and Specials, Stephen G. Hill ; this year’s BET Awards ’13 host, blockbuster movie star and comedian Chris Tucker ; R&B artist Chris Brown ; hip hop artist Kendrick Lamar; and singer and television personality Tamar Braxton .

Leading the pack of A-list nominees include, hip hop artist Drake, with an impressive 12 nominations including Best Male Hip Hop Artist and Video of the Year; close behind is breakthrough hip hop artist Kendrick Lamar and rapper 2 Chainz tied with 8 nominations; A$AP Rocky with 5 nominations; while Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake and Miguel face off with 4 nominations each in the categories of Best Collaboration, Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award and Video of the Year.

In what is sure to be a showdown of epic proportions, this year’s Video of the Year Award has a phenomenal line-up of 10 nominees including Kanye West , Justin Timberlake , Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, 2 Chainz, A$AP Rocky, Miguel and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis , all vying to get their hands on the sought-after trophy.

During the press conference, Chris Brown was exclusively announced as the first confirmed performer.  As an added bonus, R. Kelly is closing the BET Awards ’13 and will head over to the Staples Center immediately after to open the BET Experience concert. In addition, a living legend, Charlie Wilson was announced as the recipient of the prestigious Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award, to honor his four decades in the entertainment industry.

The nominees for the BET Awards ’13 include:

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyonce
Tamar Braxton
Alicia Keys
Rihanna
Elle Varner

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Chris Brown
Bruno Mars
Miguel
Justin Timberlake
Usher

Best Group
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Mary Mary
Mindless Behavior
Slaughterhouse
The Throne (Kanye West & Jay-Z)

Best Collaboration
2 Chainz f/ Drake – No Lie
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – Problems
French Montana f/ Rick Ross, Drake and Lil Wayne – Pop That
Kendrick Lamar f/ Drake – Poetic Justice
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – Suit & Tie
Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz – Mercy

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
2 Chainz
A$AP Rocky
Drake
Future
Kendrick Lamar

Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Azealia Banks
Eve
Nicki Minaj
Rasheeda
Rye Rye

Video of the Year
2 Chainz f/ Drake – No Lie
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – Problems
Drake – Started From The Bottom
Drake f/ Lil Wayne – HYFR
Kendrick Lamar f/ Drake – Poetic Justice
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f/ Wanz – Thrift Shop
Miguel – Adorn
Rihanna – Diamonds
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – Suit & Tie
Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz – Mercy

Video Director of the Year
A$AP Rocky & Sam Lecca
Benny Boom
Director X
Dre Films
Hype Williams

Best New Artist
Azealia Banks
Joey Bada$$
Kendrick Lamar
Trinidad Jame$
The Weeknd

Best Gospel Artist
Deitrick Haddon
Lecrae
Tamela Mann
Mary Mary
Marvin Sapp

Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Halle Berry
Taraji P. Henson
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington

Best Actor
Don Cheadle
Common
Jamie Foxx
Samuel L. Jackson
Denzel Washington

YoungStars Award
Gabrielle Douglas
Jacob Latimore
Keke Palmer
Jaden Smith
Quvenzhane Wallis

Best Movie
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap
Sparkle
Think Like A Man

Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Gabrielle Douglas
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Serena Williams
Venus Williams

Subway Sportsman of the Year
Victor Cruz
Kevin Durant
Robert Griffin III
LeBron James
Ray Lewis

Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – Problems
Drake – Started From The Bottom
Kendrick Lamar – Swimming Pools (Drank)
Miguel – Adorn
Rihanna – Diamonds
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – Suit & Tie

Centric Award
Tamar Braxton – Love and War
Fantasia – Lose To Win
Miguel – Adorn
Nas – Daughters
Charlie Wilson – My Love Is All I Have

Best International Act: Africa
2Face Idibia (Nigeria)
Toya Delazy (South Africa)
Donald (South Africa)
Ice Prince (Nigeria)
R2Bees (Ghana)
Radio and Weasel (Uganda)

Best International Act: UK
Marsha Ambrosius
Estelle
Labrinth
Rita Ora
Emeli Sande
Wiley

This year for the first time, the general public can purchase tickets to the BET Awards with a BET Experience VIP Package, which also includes 3-day tickets to nightly concerts at the Staples Center.

Join the conversation on social media by following BET’s multiple social media platforms, dedicated to the BET Awards:

Follow on Twitter & Instagram : @BETAwards, Use hashtag: #BETAwards
On Facebook: facebook.com/TheBETAwards
On Tumblr: betawards.tumblr.com
*All times are ET/PT

The BET AWARDS ’13 will premiere Sunday, June 30, 2013 at 8:00PM BST across BET’s international platforms in the UK and Africa.

Beyonce And Nine Inch Nails Headline ‘Budweiser Made In America’ Music Festival In Philadelphia Labor Day Weekend

BUDWEISER MADE IN AMERICA MUSIC FESTIVALShawn “JAY Z” Carter, Budweiser and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey and Live Nation announced the line-up of the 2013 “Budweiser Made In America” music festival.  Following last year’s groundbreaking inaugural concert, the two-day festival features some of today’s most diverse live performers.  The blockbuster line-up was unveiled on April 10th  via an exclusive Spotify playlist, http://spoti.fi/10SBoYP. Complete ticket purchasing and presale information is listed below.

As he did in 2012, JAY Z has curated an explosive roster of talent, which includes headliners Nine Inch Nails, Beyonce as well as A$ap Rocky, Nero and Haim along with more than 30 others who represent excellence, artistry and the American spirit.  Performers will appear across three stages on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia’s Fairmont Park on Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1.

“Last year Pearl Jam, Miike Snow, Gary Clarke Jr., Odd Future, Skrillex and Janelle Monae killed,” commented JAY Z.  “This year, we have Nine Inch Nails, Beyonce, Empire of the Sun, Kendrick Lamar and deadmau5.  This festival is all about experiencing great music and performances as a family.  I can’t wait to get back to Benjamin Franklin Parkway, see some stage diving, walk through the crowds, drink a little and rock out again.”

Musical acts confirmed to perform are:
Beyonce, Nine Inch Nails, Queens Of The Stone Age, deadmau5, Phoenix, Calvin Harris, Empire Of The Sun, Imagine Dragons, Wiz Khalifa, Kendrick Lamar, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Miguel, Public Enemy, Solange, 2 Chainz, The Gaslight Anthem, A$ap Rocky, Walk The Moon, Nero, Feed Me, Porter Robinson, Wolfgang Gartner, Fitz & The Tantrums, Emile Sande, Haim, Schoolboy Q, AB Soul, GTA, Robert Delong, Redlight, Mord Fustang, Alunageorge, Jay Rock, Jesse Rose and TJR.

“Budweiser has a decades-long history of celebrating great American music,” said Paul Chibe, Vice President of U.S Marketing at Anheuser-Busch.  “A music festival is one of the most powerful ways to bring people together, so we’re thrilled that once again the incomparable JAY Z and United Way have joined us to ensure that Budweiser Made in America brings a world-class line-up of music to Philadelphia this Labor Day Weekend.”

This concert will benefit United Ways in Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey and Lancaster County, PA.  A primary goal of this music festival is to have a positive impact on the communities involved. As a result of this concert, the money invested into these communities will positively impact the education, income and health of the most vulnerable and most needy citizens in these regions. 

As a result of last year’s Budweiser Made in America festival, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey is investing more than $350,000 into education and talent development initiatives to enhance cradle-to-career education that ensures all students graduate high school college- or career-ready and equips individuals with the job skills and training they need to secure work that provides a family-sustaining income.

The festival also enabled United Way of Lancaster County to invest an additional $100,000 in programs and services that support learning success across the education continuum. 

“The debut of the Budweiser Made In America festival last year was a huge event for music fans from all over the Northeast,” said Mark Campana Co President of North American Concerts, Live Nation.   “The two-day festival will once again feature an incredible and diverse roster with Beyonce, Nine Inch Nails, deadmau5 and so much more.  The beautiful location of the Ben Franklin Parkway combined the wonderful spirit of Philadelphia creates a once-in-a-lifetime festival experience that no music fan can miss.” 

“Once again, I am thrilled to announce that the Budweiser Made in America Festival has chosen Philadelphia as its home,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter.  “Last year’s event, hosted on the historic and dynamic cultural corridor of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, was a huge success, significantly impacting our local economy.  The City of Philadelphia is excited to welcome back JAY Z and Made in America.”

Described as “veritable music lover’s paradise over Labor Day weekend,” the 2012 “Budweiser Made In America” music festival featured 28 performers including JAY Z, Pearl Jam, D’Angelo, Afrojack, Jill Scott, Run DMC, Odd Future, Skrillex and Passion Pit.  In its debut, the festival received rave reviews, with press such as the Philadelphia Inquirer noting, “There was no arguing with Made in America’s ability to put on a diverse set of musical acts…the fest…worked as a uniquely urban, impressively varied draw for a multiracial millennial generation crowd.”

Spotify is the official digital music sponsor for the Budweiser Made in America Festival and will be presenting exclusive content and producing exclusive on-site activations.

The Budweiser Made In America Festival art features a work from the acclaimed American artist, Richard Prince.  The piece used is called “Untitled (The Velvets).”  It was created in 2007 and is collage and acrylic on canvas.

“Budweiser Made in America” also will be available for consumers around the country to watch via live streaming. Details will be announced at a later date.

TICKET PURCHASING INFORMATION

Two-day festival passes are available for $150.00 with tickets going on sale to the general public on April 17th at Ticketmaster.com.   The festival will offer a special early bird presale price of $99.50 for all tickets purchased through any presale offer listed below.  Presale tickets are limited and available while supplies last.

American Express and Budweiser Facebook presales begin Wednesday, April 10th.

  • Use any American Express® Card to purchase tickets before the general public Wednesday, April 10th at 12 PM ET through Sunday, April 14th at 10 PM ET
  • Fans can visit Budweiser’s Facebook page for early access to tickets from Wednesday, April 10th at 1 PM ET through Thursday, April 11th at 1am ET

Budweiser Made In America Facebook presale begins Monday, April 15 th.

  • Fans can RSVP to the Made in America Facebook presale by clicking here or visiting http://bit.ly/MIAFest_RSVP for access to presale tickets beginning Monday, April 15th at 10am EST through Tuesday, April 16th at 10 PM ET.

GET. BEYONCE. NOW.

beyonce-teaser-pepsiBeyonce and Pepsi take the ultimate trip down memory lane, only to realize the excitement of the moment is NOW in a new global advertising campaign unveiled today. The creative collaboration, mutually developed by Beyonce and Pepsi as part of the previously announced global partnership, will debut at 9:00am EDT/2:00pm GMT in a special digital premiere on www.youtube.com/pepsi, followed by airings in more than 70 countries worldwide beginning on April 4 th.  The spot, which will be seen by more than a billion people, also features “Grown Woman,” an infectious new track from Beyonce.

The global partnership is the next iteration of Pepsi’s “Live for Now” brand spirit, which encourages fans to embrace the NOW and be at the epicenter of, and helping to define, pop culture – a mindset shared by both Beyonce and Pepsi. It is also the current cornerstone of Pepsi’s breakthrough, global music strategy which supports emerging, rising and iconic stars alike by providing them with truly global reach, promotional support and innovative resources, such as “The Pepsi Opening Act” platform, and offers fans extraordinary, unforgettable music and experiences.

The spot entitled “Mirrors”, one of the first creative collaboration elements of the partnership, sees Beyonce’s most iconic personalities from her past – including “Bootylicious” Beyonce, “Sasha Fierce” and “Crazy in Love” Beyonce – go head-to-head in a dance-off in a mirrored studio.  As it progresses, Beyonce recreates her most memorable moves before being inspired to create a fresh, never-before-seen routine. “Mirrors” chronicles Beyonce’s realization that all these experiences and personas helped her become who she is NOW, much like the story of a “Grown Woman” – the perfect visual embodiment of the “Live For Now” brand ethos.

“I had so much fun collaborating on this campaign with Pepsi. I got to re-live some of my favourite past characters and looks. It was the first time I saw those costumes in years and it was very emotional,” says Beyonce. “I’m proud of those moments and they all connect in some way and have helped me evolve into who I am today.”

Beyonce and Pepsi enjoy a long-standing relationship that goes back more than a decade and includes groundbreaking, international campaigns in which she starred alongside Jennifer Lopez, David Beckham, P!nk and Britney Spears.  Beyonce was intimately involved in every aspect of the creative development of this campaign – from the storyline to the overall styling and selection of which ‘Beyonce’s’ best bring to life the journey she has been on, to become who she is NOW.

“There isn’t an artist that embodies what it means to “Live for Now” more than Beyonce. She is a true trendsetter and is at the epicenter of pop culture today, and we couldn’t have asked for a better creative partner to bring our shared visions to life. While this advertising is the first phase of our wide-ranging collaboration, we are also co-developing ways to engage fans around the upcoming “The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour,” and incubating a lot of other cool creative content together to entertain our fans, create indelible moments and continue to shape pop culture,” said Brad Jakeman, President, Pepsi Global Beverages Group. 

“As one of the first markets to showcase the commercial, we are continuing our Super Bowl Halftime Show momentum and storyline with Beyonce in a way that only Pepsi could deliver – by infusing a pop culture icon, never before heard or seen musical content, and the excitement of NOW,” said Simon Lowden, CMO, Beverages, PepsiCo. “We are also anxious to announce some exciting consumer engagement opportunities around the “Mrs. Carter Show World Tour” which will debut here in the United States in late June in Los Angeles.”

“Mirrors” was shot in New Jersey (USA), directed by Jake Nava who has collaborated with Beyonce on numerous projects including the indelible “Crazy in Love” video and filmed by Oscar award-winning cameraman Claudio Miranda. For more information visit www.pepsi.com, Beyonce.com.

 

The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour Starring BEYONCE

COLUMBIA RECORDS BEYONCE TOURParkwood Entertainment today announced that The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour starring Beyonce kicks off in Europe on April 15, 2013.  With stops in twenty European cities, including Dublin, Ireland; Berlin, Germany; Paris, France and a four-night stint at The 02 in London, UK, this is Beyonce’s first multi-city tour in over three years.  

Live Nation also announced today that Beyonce’s North American Tour begins on June 28 in Los Angeles, California. The tour will travel to over twentycities throughout North America this summer, including Brooklyn, New York at the Barclays Center, Atlanta, Georgia, at the Gwinnett Center, Houston, Texas at the Toyota Center, Toronto, Ontario at Air Canada Centre, and Boston, Massachusetts at TD Garden.

On June 28, Beyonce returns to Los Angeles, California as part of the BET Experience At L.A. Live at the Staples Center.  She is set to headline the first of the three-night STAPLES Concert series.   And continuing her successful run at international music festivals, following a headlining night at Glastonbury in 2011, she is confirmed to headline at the world’s largest music festival, Rock in Rio, on its first night, September 13 at the “City of Rock” in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.   Rock in Rio has set records for its massive crowds and its powerful media drive.

Fans can join the Beyhive Blog for free at www.beyonce.com to access exclusive content, pre-sale tickets, VIP packages and more, including an exclusive MasterCard package to the Bey Stage.   A limited number of tickets to The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour will be available early for purchase in the US and Europe.  Fans can sign up now for the chance to be among the first to purchase tickets.  Public sales for the European dates start on Friday, February 8.  North American dates begin on Monday, February 11, 2013 at www.ticketmaster.com.  Pepsi, MasterCard and Cotysponsor The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour .  A complete list of tour dates, markets and on-sale dates follow.  Additional information including on-sale times in all markets, available at www.beyonce.com

Beyonce’s last tour, the critically acclaimed and incredibly successful, I AM…WORLD TOUR was ranked #1 on Billboard’s Hot Tour chart.  The show thrilled more than 1.1 million fans at more than one hundred shows in 32 countries and six continents across the globe.

On February 16, HBO will premiere Life Is But A Dream, an intimate feature-length documentary film directed and produced by Beyonce for Parkwood Entertainment.  The film provides unprecedented access into the on and off-stage world of the entertainer. For complete tour and ticketing information, please visit www.livenation.com and www.beyonce.com

NORTH AMERICA DATES:

June 28 Los Angeles BET Experience/Staples Center On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Jun-29 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Garden Arena On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Jul-2 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion at San Jose On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Jul-5 Oklahoma City, OK Chesapeake Energy Arena On Sale Fri. Feb. 15
Jul-6 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Jul-9 Ft. Lauderdale, FL BB&T Center On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Jul-10 Miami, FL American Airlines Arena On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Jul-12 Atlanta, GA The Arena @ Gwinnett Center On Sale Sat. Feb. 16
Jul-13 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena On Sale Fri. Feb. 15
Jul-15 Houston, TX Toyota Center On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Jul-17 Chicago, IL United Center On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Jul-18 St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center On Sale Fri. Feb. 15
Jul-20 Detroit, MI The Palace of Auburn Hills On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Jul-21 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Jul-22 Montreal, QC Bell Centre On Sale Sat. Feb. 9
Jul-23 Boston, MA TD Garden On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Jul-25 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center On Sale Fri. Feb. 15
Jul-26 Atlantic City, NJ Boardwalk Hall On Sale Fri. Feb. 15
Jul-27 Charlotte, NC Time Warner Cable Arena On Sale Fri. Feb. 15
Jul-29 Washington, DC Verizon Center On Sale Mon. Feb. 11
Aug-2 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun On Sale Fri. Feb. 15
Aug-3 Brooklyn, NY Barclays Center On Sale Mon. Feb. 11

BET Awards 12 is #1 Awards Show on Cable, Drawing 7.4 Million Viewers

Live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, July 1st, BET Awards 12 kicked off with a bang when G.O.O.D. Music artists Kanye West , 2 Chainz, Big Sean, and Pusha T exploded onto the stage for a medley of their hits “Mercy” and “Cold” before a one-of-a-kind freestyle from Kanye West that officially jumpstarted this year’s “Too Big To Miss” show.  Box office superstar and BET Awards 12 host Samuel L. Jackson was joined on stage by award-winning director Spike Lee for a hilarious parody of  “N***s in Paris” that had Jay-Z and Kanye West cracking up in the front row. 

In honor of the untimely passing of music icon Whitney Houston, BET Awards 12 pulled together an unprecedented pairing of today’s divas, family members, friends, and cast mates for an emotional tribute that even brought BET Awards 12 double-winner Beyonce to tears.  The incomparable Mariah Carey opened the In Memoriam celebration with a trio of stories, speaking about meeting her friend at the Grammys, working together on their Oscar-winning duet, “When You Believe” from the Prince of Egypt soundtrack and the last time they saw each other—laughing together in Paris in the fall. 

Paying tribute to Whitney Houston’s undeniable gospel roots—both spiritually and vocally, Monica took to the stage to sing “I Love The Lord.”  Monica’s “The Boy Is Mine” duet partner, Brandy, lifted the mood with up-tempo favorites “I’m Your Baby Tonight” and “I Want To Dance With Somebody.” Gary Houston, Whitney’s brother, sang “Where You Are,” a touching prelude to their mother’s performance of “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Cissy Houston dedicated her performance to her late daughter and brought the audience to tears with her emotional rendition of the song.  Cissy Houston’s performance was followed by a heartfelt and memory-filled account from Whitney’s “Waiting to Exhale” co-stars Angela Bassett, Lela Rochon, and Loretta Devine.  Chaka Khan helped the crowd—including Soulja Boy—dry their eyes with an upbeat performance of “I’m Every Woman” that got the already standing room only crowd dancing in celebration of the late singer’s life.

Other moving In Memoriam tributes included Valerie Simpson ‘s love-filled performance to her late husband, Nick Ashford , Chante Moore singing “Love to Love You Baby” and “Bad Girls” to tribute Donna Summer , and special moments spotlighting the entertainment industry and world’s loss of Dick Clark, Hal Jackson, Heavy D, Etta James , Vesta, Robin Gibb , Don Cornelius , MCA, and Chuck Brown .

R&B crooner D’Angelo returned to the television stage for the first time in 12 years for a special medley of his sultry hit “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” and a new track, “Sugar Daddy.”  Actor, comedian and BET Awards 11 host, Kevin Hart, introduced a special performance from MMG featuring Rick Ross that showcased Wale, Rick Ross and DJ Sam’s “Bag of Money” and “So Sophisticated” before being joined by Meek Mill on “Black Magic.”  Closing out the show were Tyga and Ca$h Out performing their hit “Rack City” and “Ca$hing Out.”

Other notable performances included Usher’s sensual single “Climax,” Nicki Minaj’s booty popping rendition of “Champion” and “Beez in the Trap” with 2 Chainz, Melanie Fiona ‘s “Wrong Side of a Love Song,” Chris Brown ‘s zombie ballet medley of “Don’t Wake Me Up” and “Turn Up The Music,” and BET Music Matters newcomers Charles Perry and Jannah Bell .  BET’s Sunday Best judge Yolanda Adams , Season 4 winner Amber Bullock , Season 2 winner Y’Anna Crawley , and Season 2 1st runner-up Jessica Reedy also took to the stage for a crowd-pleasing rendition of The Clark Sisters’ hit, “You Brought the Sunshine.”

After a special tribute performance of their classics “Can’t Get Over You,” “Joy and Pain,” and “Happy Feelin’s” by Joe, Tyrese, and Faith Evans, respectively, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly were honored with the Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award by presenter Tyler Perry .  Dr. Reverent Al Sharpton was honored by BET Networks Chairman/CEO Debra L. Lee with the Humanitarian Award presented by State Farm for his tireless work to bring justice to the underrepresented and marginalized.  The BET Awards 12 Shine A Light recipients were David A. Boone and Vy Higginsen.

Representing the cast of Quentin Tarantino’s “Django,” and to present the trailer for their upcoming film, which co-stars BET Awards 12 host Samuel L. Jackson were “Scandal” star Kerry Washington and Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx.  Other BET Awards 12 presenters included Taraji P. Henson, Elle Varner, Cedric The Entertainer, Meagan Good, Laz Alonso, and many more.

In addition to all of these spectacular moments, the full list of BET Awards 12 winners are:

Best Female R&B Artist: Beyonce

Best Male R&B Artist: Chris Brown

Best Group: The Throne (Jay-Z and Kanye West)

Best Collaboration: Wale featuring Miguel

Best Male Hip Hop Artist: Drake

Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj

Video of the Year: “Otis” The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) featuring Otis Redding

Video Director of the Year: Beyonce and Alan Ferguson

Best New Artist: Big Sean

Best Gospel: Yolanda Adams

Best Actress: Viola Davis

Best Actor: Kevin Hart

YoungStars Award: Diggy

Best Movie: The Help

Subway Sportswoman of the Year: Serena Williams

Subway Sportsman of the Year: Kevin Durant

Coca-Cola Viewers Choice Award: Mindless Behavior

Fandemonium Award: Chris Brown

Centric Award: Common

Best International Act: Africa: Sarkodie (Ghana) and Wizkid (Nigeria)

Best International Act: UK: Wrench 32

Photos from BET.com

To Ms. O with love, Oprah’s Surprise Farewell

After 25 years on television Oprah Winfrey is calling it quits, but not before her producers could surprise her with a special night filled with celebrities and thank you’s from fans, friends and her loved ones.

The star studded event included appearances from Will and Jada Smith, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Tyler Perry, Rosie O’Donnell, Queen Latifah, Jerry Seinfeld, Halle Berry, Tom Hanks, Michael Jordan, Maria Shriver, Diane Sawyer, Dakota Fanning, Dr. Oz, Nate Berkus and Dr. Phil.

Musical guests included Beyonce performing her new single “Run The World (Girls)”, Jamie Foxx, Stevie Wonder, Rascal Flatts, Patti LaBelle, Josh Groban, Kristin Chenoweth, Aretha Franklin. Dr. Maya Angelou recited a poem dedicated to Oprah and Alicia Keys accompanied her on the piano.

The Oprah Farewell was taped in one night on Tuesday, May 17th and will air on May 23 and 24th.

Photos by Barry Brecheisen