2009 BET Awards: Tributes To Michael Jackson, Joe Jackson Attends

The ninth annual Black Entertainment Television (BET) awards show held today at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, was centered on paying tribute to late pop star Michael Jackson who passed away on June 25 from cardiac arrest. The BET awards celebrate the achievements of African Americans in music, acting, sports and other fields of entertainment. The show was hosted by actor Jamie Foxx who was dressed in Michael Jackson's attire from the video clip to Jackson's song "Beat It." Foxx even attempted Jackson's signature Moonwalk during the show. Other celebrities who performed at the awards ceremony had to make changes to their presentations to accommodate tributes to Michael Jackson. The show was extended by 30 minutes due to the tributes, CBC reports.

Michael's father Joe Jackson has attended BET awards. There were rumors going around that Michael's siblings Jermaine, Jackie and Tito would also make an appearance at the show.

The nominees for this year's BET awards are:

Video of the Year
Beyoncé – “If I Were a Boy”
Beyoncé – “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)”
Jamie Foxx featuring T-Pain – “Blame It”
T.I. featuring Rihanna – “Live Your Life”
Kanye West – “Heartless”

Best Male R&B Artist
The-Dream
Jamie Foxx
Ryan Leslie
Ne-Yo
T-Pain

Best Female R&B Artist
Beyoncé
Keyshia Cole
Keri Hilson
Jennifer Hudson
Jazmine Sullivan

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
Lil Wayne
Rick Ross
T.I.
Kanye West
Young Jeezy

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Lil Mama
M.I.A.
Trina

Best Group
Day26
GS Boyz
N.E.R.D.
The Roots
Three 6 Mafia

Best New Artist
Keri Hilson
Kid Cudi
Ryan Leslie
M.I.A.
Jazmine Sullivan

Viewer’s Choice
Beyoncé – “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)”
Keri Hilson featuring Lil Wayne – “Turnin’ Me On”
Lil Wayne – “A Milli”
Soulja Boy Tell’em featuring Sammie – “Kiss Me Thru the Phone”
T.I. featuring Rihanna – “Live Your Life”
T-Pain featuring Lil Wayne – “Can’t Believe It”
Kanye West – “Love Lockdown”

Best Collaboration
Jamie Foxx feauturing T-Pain – “Blame It”
Keri Hilson featuring Lil Wayne – “Turnin’ Me On”
Jim Jones featuring Ron Browz and Juelz Santana – “Pop Champagne”
T.I. featuring Rihanna – “Live Your Life”
Yung L.A. featuring Young Dro and T.I. – “Ain’t I”

Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Rik Cordero
Gil Green
Chris Robinson
Hype Williams

BET J Award
Musiq Soulchild
Raphael Saadiq
Seal
Solange
Jazmine Sullivan

Best Gospel Artist
Regina Belle
Shirley Caesar
Mary Mary
Smokie Norfu
Trin-I-Tee 5:7

Check out the freshest informaiton on BET awards official website.