The BET Awards launched 25 years ago in 2001, as Black Entertainment Television’s annual celebration of achievement by Black musicians, actors, athletes and public figures. Steve Harvey and Cedric the Entertainer hosted the inaugural bash in Las Vegas with performers including OutKast, Whitney Houston and Snoop Dogg.
Unlike typical prime time entertainment ceremonies in which Black performers found themselves in just a few categories, the BET Awards treated hip-hop, R&B, gospel, and Black popular culture as central for the night.
Over its early years, the BET Awards became known as much for unexpected encounters and tributes as for its competitive trophies.
One of its legendary moments occurred in 2003, when Michael Jackson surprised James Brown while presenting him with the Lifetime Achievement Award and joined the visibly touched Godfather of Soul onstage.
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