BET Awards 2008

So unfortunately, some of us don't have BET. So I did not see the BET Awards live. What I've seen so far are some clips on youtube of some performances here and there. And I've seen a couple blogs. Just based on what I've seen, therefore, I can't speak on the entire show. But I can speak on each performance, so I'll talk about the notable ones. In no order.

[There's no guarantee on how long these videos will stay up, so if they get taken down, use your imagination.]

Chris Brown feat. Ciara, "With You," "Take You Down"


Needless to say, this performance was quite sexual. Pretty darn sexy, actually. (Don't mind saying it.) But what really got to me about this performance was about 3:00 in. As far as dancing, these two are quite literally the absolute best in the game. It was just fantastic.

Yung Jeezy feat. Kanye West, "Put On"


I was literally disappointed by this performance. It was just Jeezy on stage. It was empty. Plus, instrumentally, this track had SO much potential for a live show. And because there was only Jeezy on stage, he had to get all his energy from the audience (audience participation is rarely dependable) and himself. There was little interaction until Kanye got on stage.

And even then, the chemistry wasn't even that great. Plus Kanye came in too early and then missed the beat.

Plus, Kanye should have sung on key, because his mic was run through protools (I assume) to achieve that.

Many complaints. I still dig the song though.

Rihanna, "Take a Bow"

[Embedding has been disabled for this video.]

So in case you can't see the video, you really ain't missing much. She walks down onto the stage. I felt like she was channeling Whitney or Celene Dion or something. And I think she's beautiful and whatnot, and she's blossomed a whole lot as an artist in just the past 2 years. But she still ain't earned the right to do this kind of performance where it's just like "hey, look at me sing." More was necessary. To me anyway.

They did have live instruments on this one though, and the drummer killed. I actually saw this performance before I found Jeezy's performance, and that may have been why I was so disappointed in Jeezy's instrumentation/stage set up. Voice wasn't all that perfect, but hey. Not bad, right?

Neyo, "Closer"


You know, I'm not a huge fan of this song. It's grown on me, but it doesn't have the usual effect Neyo has on me.

Enter Jabbawockeez. I had a problem with this incorporation. There was literally no set up, because Neyo wasn't dancing like crazy at the beginning. Initially, I didn't even realize Neyo was still on stage until he stepped through them at the end, and then I was like "Oh. I still don't get it though." Jabba needed more time. That's just me though.


T-Pain feat. Dang Near Everybody.


This was really, really hot, especially the intro, minus the "Yo, this industry is my circus; ride with the ring leader" quip at the beginning that progressed into a 5-6 second gap that shut everything down.

But I LOVED the circus motif--though I've seen it used by Tonex on his myspace page (it's not there anymore). And heck, he's right. He's making moves, he's working with all sorts of artists, and his name is on so many hit songs right now. I applaud him, and I honestly didn't see this coming with "I'm In Luv wit a Strippur" a few years back.

You betta jiggle that belly fat, Ross! Lol!

The BEST part of this performance for me wasn't even on stage though. It was when Big Boi stepped out, the camera panned to the audience, and you saw Lil Wayne's mannerisms--the best part of the music industry is when artists respect other artists.

Lil Wayne


"Sang! My! Song!"

Why was T-Wayne wearing that shirt?

I respect Lil Wayne though, and I have since he teamed up with Robin Thicke on Shooter. Not necessarily his lyrics, but his flow. It's effortless. It's like he's at home behind the mic. He's just a dang good rapper, and you can't really object to his talent level. You can say he's not challenging himself, but I wouldn't even say that. I mean, y'all the ones buying it, right?

Alicia Keys, SWV, EnVogue, TLC


This was a good performance, and of course, you know I loved the live instruments.

I can't say much about the appearances, because I wasn't into music that much until late 2000, so the nostalgia doesn't get me. But it was a heck of an idea, and it worked out well. I was satisfied.

Keyshia Cole and Lil Kim


...that was a mess. Sent from Heaven was ok. When Lil' Kim came out on stage though, it was like Keyshia couldn't sing no more. Plus she started off singing Missy's verse, and they had cut to her verse. Come on now.

Why she always so flat?!

I haven't found Marvin Sapp's performance on Bet, but I'm pretty sure he tore it up. He usually does.

I also couldn't find the Al Green tribute...ain't it sad? The best stuff and I can't find it.

Anyway, yea. That's my take on some of the performances. I'll be back in a few with more stuff.