Kanye Feels the T-Pain at BET Awards
T-Pain has a knack for showing up in the right place at the right time.
“I’d like to thank T-Pain for gettin’ on the record with me,” said Kanye West, a two-time winner Tuesday at the 2008 BET Awards, upon accepting their award for Best Collaboration on the Graduation tune “Good Life.” “This man’s a genius. What he does, what he writes…we’re blessed to be in this man’s presence.”
The 22-year-old rapper-producer, a featured artist on no less than 18 singles (so far) in 2007 and 2008, entered the evening with a leading five nominations, although his shared win with West was it for now.
West was also named Best Male Hip-Hop Artist for the second time, his first win in that category coming in 2005, when Late Registration was still a new album.
Alicia Keys, the only female winner who was in the house tonight, was named Best Female R&B Artist, and took the opportunity to let the moment sink in.
“I just wanna say that we are so incredible, we are such an incredible people,” the platinum-selling songstress said coyly. “We are so beautiful and fly, and everybody wants to be like us…I mostly want to thank all of you that are watching and standing here right now. Without you…I really really appreciate you very much.
“I want to dedicate this to all the other nominees, because we put so much heart and soul into everything.”
The three-hour ceremony at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium was about as straightforward as it gets (albeit a great deal more inspirational than your standard kudosfest).
Effects-heavy performances by Usher (on his suggestive single “Love in This Club”) and Best Male R&B Artist Chris Brown (a “With You”-”Take You Down” medley) and a frenzied hootenanny featuring T-Pain, Flo Rida, Rick Ross, Ludacris and Big Boi provided the evening’s liveliest moments.
(And it may just be us, but it sure seemed as if a lot of tonight’s presenters, especially Sean “Diddy” Combs, were all hyped up about someone named Barack Obama.)
“I want to dedicate this award to the end of the word can’t. That word is dead, we don’t know that word. Obama, y’all,” Keys reminded the crowd at the end of her acceptance speech.
But while the ceremony didn’t lack for schtick, nor did it lack for touching moments.
“This is hard for me to accept tonight. We did an incredible job, I feel, but it’s hard to do this with my brother not being here,” Bun B, the surviving half of Houston rap duo UGK, said in tribute to his departed longtime partner Pimp C, who unexpectedly passed away in December.
UGK’s “International Player’s Anthem (I Choose You)”, featuring Outkast, was named Video of the Year. During the untelevised portion of the festivities, UGK was deemed Best Group, as well.
Well-deserved honors were also handed out to prolific producer Quincy Jones and Motown icon Al Green, whose most recent album, Lay It Down, earned the renowned soul singer his first Top 10 slot on the Billboard 200 since 1973.
“The Al Green sound is Saturday night and Sunday morningand it is forever,” John Legend said in feting this year’s recipient of the BET Lifetime Achievement Award.
“I’m so honored and humbled by the academy of BET Awardswhat y’all laughin’ at?” Green began, acknowledging that he wasn’t exactly sure who decides on the winners, either.
“I want to thank all the people that stood by me when I put out the wrong record, when I put out the right record and all of you who’ve been so faithful. I’ve been doing this 30 years. You’ve been so faithful, I should at least let you see my eyes.”
And with that, he whipped off his sunglasses, to much applause, and said, “Thank you so much, bye-bye!” before easing into his biggest hit, “Let’s Stay Together.”
Jones, one of the founders of the Institute for Black American Music, received the Humanitarian Award for his philanthropic efforts over the years, including his continued work with his Listen Up Foundation, which has teamed with the Nelson Mandela Foundation to build more than 100 homes in South Africa.
“It is a brilliant honor for me to be here tonight,” the dapper 75-year-old said.” I just want to say that I understand what it feels like to be on the bottomI come from the south side of Chicago, so don’t nobody tell me about ghet-to.”
“Somehow that never leaves you…Always ask why, because you cannot separate your life” from others. And, quoting Tolstoy, he continued, “Nobody has to starve while I eat.”
And to the youngsters in the crowd: “When it rains, get wet. Live your life, baby, and live it real…They say you can’t get an A if you’re afraid of getting an F…I promise I hope to always live up to this honor…”
The evening was further highlighted by performances from Rihanna; Best Gospel Artist Marvin Sapp; Keys, who led a ’90s revival with appearances by TLC’s T-Boz and Chilli, En Vogue and SWV; Ne-Yo; Keyshia Cole; Young Jeezy; Nelly, Ciara and Jermaine Dupri; and hip-hop’s current savior, the million-record-selling Lil Wayne.
Here’s the complete list of winners from the 2008 BET Awards:
- Video of the Year: UGK featuring Outkast, “International Player’s Anthem (I Choose You)”
- Best Male R&B Artist: Chris Brown
- Best Female R&B Artist: Alicia Keys
- Best Male Hip-Hop Artist: Kanye West
- Best Female Hip-Hop Artist: Missy Elliott
- Best Gospel Artist: Marvin Sapp
- Best New Artist: The-Dream
- Best Group: UGK
- Best Collaboration: Kanye West featuring T-Pain, “Good Life”
- Best Video Director: Erykah Badu and Mr. Roboto
- Viewers’ Choice Award: Lil Wayne featuring Static, “Lollipop”
- BET J Award: Raheem DeVaughn
- Best Actor: Denzel Washington
- Best Actress: Halle Berry
- Female Athlete of the Year: Candace Parker
- Male Athlete of the Year: Kobe Bryant
Survivor Micronesia: You Guys are Dumber Than You Look (season premiere)
Survivors ready? It’s not just any old fans … it’s SUPERfans going up against returning castaways in the latest incarnation of Survivor. Just how super are they? After all, they’re calling the returning players “all-time favorites” and we’re talking Jonny Fairplay and some more obscure players. But the concept itself is different and it’s sure to be fresh this year with a new dynamic.
That said, tonight was a smidgen predictable and a lot odd.
As you might have been able to predict, I’m going to get into the predictable first. Okay, you’ve got ten hyped-up superfans determined to take down their faves. Yeah, they were all enamored and in awe when Jeff brought out the returning players. Yau-Man got a huge round of applause (well, as huge as ten people can do) and Fairplay got the stunned “what the heck is he doing with normal human beings” look.
But that didn’t last long. The wheels were turning in their minds. They know the gameplay of the returning players, yet their own strategies, strengths, and weaknesses are an unknown element. Plus, the fact that they’re playing against returning players has upped their determination to win as a team right now before the merge so much more than an ordinary splitting of tribes with all new players.
Also predictable was the fact that the returning players definitely had it made with making a shelter on short order, gathering food, and even making fire without a flint. The latter was thanks to Yau-Man Chan, his eyeglasses, a drop of water, and some brush. While the new players struggled with shelter, the faves were spending the night dry and as comfortable as you can be given the materials available.
I’d even go out on a limb and say that the cockiness of the returning players could have been predicted, too. Hey, they’ve done it all before, right? Getting cocky can come right back around to bite you in the butt, though.
Then there’s the odd.
Jonny Fairplay. I know, I know. We all know he’s an odd snake. But I think his fight with Danny Bonaduce must have knocked his brains more ajar than they already were or something. What is with that guy? First off, tiny Yau-Man and Fairplay see the immunity idol at the same time and race for it. Big bad wrestler Fairplay hit his hand on the boat and Yau-Man got the idol. Fairplay whined and fussed about how evil Yau-Man is. Say what? By whom?
And, what exactly was going on with his strategy? Was he trying to pull a Dr. Will (Big Brother) vote me out campaign knowing that they won’t vote him out because they think he’s not going to play the game 100%? Was he on the level? How could he think that all of his tribe were eating out of his hand? True, they were trying to get him in on alliances, but only to use him as none of them can trust him. I recall recently reading that his baby was born, so there is a baby. But I get the feeling that he felt he was going to be shown as the snake once again and knew he wouldn’t win at the end. I’d call it a quit unless he seriously thought they wouldn’t vote him out. If he really thinks people love him, he’s dead wrong. They scorn him. I’m glad he’s gone.
Strange bedfellows. James and Parvati? Ozzy and Amanda? Gameplay, guys! Gameplay! You know better! This is definitely odd, especially with seasoned players and the fact that both guys are extremely physically strong players and both women are known schemers.
Krazy Kathy. Oh, my. “Are you a homosexual? Do you want to be called ’gay’ or ’homosexual’? I’ve never known a homosexual before. Will you be my friend? I’d like a homosexual friend!” That was to Chet. He should have told her he wanted to be called “Chet.” Then she spotted large (fake, I presume) boobs on a female tribe member. “Are those real? I’ve never seen ones like that before!” She makes inappropriate comments and she cries, too. I can’t see her lasting long, but she’ll give me reason to smile and shake my head as long as she’s on the show.
There was no reward challenge tonight, also a bit odd. The two idols attached to the boats and the fact they must be played at the first tribal council attended is, if not outright odd, quirky. I understand that there have been issues with the idols not coming into play at all, but it seems like these are going to be played yet wasted.
Some random notes or observations of mine:
- The one fan Joel reminds me of The Beast from comics. No, he’s not blue. But he looks like The Beast anyway.
- The word “waif” still comes to mine when I see Eliza. That was some whack to the eye she took during the immunity challenge.
- I’m reluctant to admit it, but I liked Jonny Fairplay’s “I’ll lie 4 food” cap.
- The immunity challenge had some similar elements to puzzles of the past, but was a bit different and certainly challenging. I want my own wok of fire.
- I find it interesting that the faves were already scheming against Parvati and Eliza, but ignoring Jonathon Penner, a schemer at heart.
- The fans only talked about removing Krazy Kathy because um … well … she’s crazy!
- If I don’t ever see Jonny Fairplay get all teary and talk about being a father again, life will be good. If I don’t ever see his face again, I’m fine with that too.
- They voted him out unanimously. Heh.
All in all, I think we’re in for some good times this season.
10,000 B.C. Movie Trailer
Warner Bros has released a new movie trailer for Roland Emmerich’s 10,000 B.C.
“Before Everything We Know, Lies a Legend, Never Told…”
I’m not quite sure why, but I’m just not getting hyped for this movie. I’ve watched the trailer three times now and find myself unable to narrow it down. Maybe it’s the fact that it features no recognizable actors, or maybe it’s the mediocre special effects. Watch the trailer now on CHUD. 10,000 B.C. hits theaters on March 7, 2008.
Speed Racer Movie Trailer
The movie trailer for Speed Racer is now online.
When I posted the first set of production photos this morning, I asked for your opinions. I was unable to make a judgement just looking at the still photos, but now that there is full motion video, here are my first thoughts: The Wachowski Brother’s wanted to make a “live-action cartoon”, but I think they instead made a “live-action videogame”. The results are jarring and are sure to polarize audiences. I think some movie fans will be super-hyped, while others will call this “lame and stupid”. I don’t see why the Wachowski’s are so set on making this a G-Rated movie, as the action seems to extreme for such a general audiences rating.
Please again, tell me what you guys think. I want first impressions!
You can also watch the new trailer in High Definition on Moviefone. Speed Racer hits theaters on May 9th 2008.