ROBERT X. GOLPHIN:

This year’s BET Awards was another historical evening. Not just because this was the ceremony’s tenth anniversary. But because it was a night of comeback performances for several artists. And a night of recognition for a couple of artists long overdue.

Last year’s tribute to the King of Pop was questionable according to many folks. But this year’s tribute introduced by Jermaine Jackson can't be argued with. After an arguably rocky comeback, Chris Brown burst back onto the scene in a big way. Jermaine Jackson introduced Chris’ phenomenal song and dance tribute to Michael Jackson. Chris was so overcome with emotion, he couldn’t even sing. The audience sang for him. Later Chris Brown took home the "AOL Fandemonium Award". He told the audience “I let ya’ll down before, but I won’t do it again. I promise”.  Ironically, his former girlfriend, Rihanna, took home the "Viewer’s Choice Award".

Chaka Khan and Patti Labelle presented Prince with "Lifetime Achievement".  Prince was honored by all female talent. Janelle Monae threw down. Esperanza Spalding did her thing. Alicia Keys must have forgotten she was pregnant because she sang and danced on top of a piano. And Patti LaBelle stole the show with her rendition of “Purple Rain”. Prince stood for her performance. And when Patti kicked off a shoe, Prince happily retrieved it.

After an absence from the spotlight following last year’s MTV controversy with Taylor Swift, Kanye West returned. He opened up the show with a dimly lit and foggy performance that garnered thick applause from the audience.  Unfortunately, the fog was so thick and the camera angles were rarely close up, viewers really didn’t have a front row seat. These issues also seemed to affect performances by Usher, Diddy-Dirty Money, and T.I., who also made a return to the spotlight following his stint in jail.

Keyshia Cole performed her rendition of “Airplanes” with B.o.B. But things were taken to another level when Eminem joined the show. It seemed like the first time during the broadcast that the audience really seemed to rise to their feet. Eminem’s performance was on fire!

BET is known for creating dazzling duets. This year was no different. Alicia Keys and Kim Burrell sang: “If I Ain’t Got You” and Monica and Deniece Williams sang: “Everything To Me” and “Silly’. But perhaps the most surprising duo yet was the reunion of “Love Jones” stars, the gorgeous Nia Long and Larenz Tate. They performed spoken word like in the film before presenting one of the evening’s awards.

Performances by veteran El Debarge and newcomer Drake also make the Hit List.

And for fans of the hit CW dramedy, “The Game”: the cast made an appearance and announced that the show will return early next year to BET.

Lastly, Mrs. Jada. That’s all that needs to be said. Jada Pinkett Smith looked beautiful as ever. 

‘Til Next Time!