BET AWARDS 2005...BLACK STAR POWER

By far the best BET Awards show I've seen. Not that the others were bad, but they definitely had their bad moments. LOL. This one was pretty good all the way through. I was thoroughly entertained. I think they did a GREAT job. Kudos to BET.

Now, the highlights of the show for me (not in order of preference):

1. Seeing Alicia Keys. No matter who else is there, I want to see her! And she did not disappoint me last night.

2. Laughing at everybody talking about Beyonce's lap-dance. Nobody mentioned Kelly seducing Nelly (where's Ashanti?) on-stage or Magic laughing his way through Michelle's lap-dance (Cookie had nothing to worry about). Now, I think Terrence Howard was really itching to do some things to Beyonce. He always got that glassy stare in his eye, but last night I could have sworn he had a lil porn-star in that look he was giving her. He made ME nervous looking at her that way...Like I was about to see something on BET I was supposed to see on some of the channels that are "higher up" on the dial (if you know what I mean. Anyway, that was a great part of the show for me. And there wasn't a man in that room (married or not) who didn't want to be on that stage with Beyonce catering to him. Man, that just sounds great to say!

3. My man John Legend taking home a well-deserved Best New Artist Award. Even though he had some flat-a$$ loafers on and took his time walking to stage like his back was aching, he humbly accepted his award that I believe he had locked up! Now sicne I cut my hair a minute ago, I hope I don't hear anymore John Legend look-a-like jokes.

4. John Legend's performance with Stevie Wonder. Easily the best of the night.

5. Ciara's performance. That's my girl and I love to watch her dance. But I am still trying to figure out who actually sang a single note...Her or Mr. Ohhhhhhhh-marion. Omarion can dance like hell! Man I hope I can never dance like that!!!! And Luda ripped his part of Ciara's performance.

6. The opening of the show with the FUGEES! That was great. Even though Lauryn Hill seemed to struggle through some of their old stuff, you gotta love that they came back together and did it on such a big stage. Even though I usually HATE on Wyclef, I can't and refuse to do so. Great way to open the show BET. What happened to Lauryn's World Premier performance though? That was str8 false-promotion! The only part of the show I can say was a disappointment

7. Will and Jada. I am so glad that after all the rumors and ridicule they get that they came together to host this show as a couple and not two separate entities. Their Mr. and Mrs. Smith skits were hilarious. Will is one of my idols and his marraige is what I look at as the model of what I would want mine to be like (minus whatever rumors we all have heard or may believe). It's great that BET took an aim at families in the hosts they chose for the show. And the Coming to America intro was HILARIOUS! Why they have spinning rims on the horse and buggy ya'll???? LMAO!

8. Gabrielle Union and Halle Berry. Need I say any more.

9. Tom Cruise getting on stage giving props to Jamie Foxx and not mentioning Katie Holmes FOR ONCE. THANKS!

10. Still tipping on 4-4's, wrapped in 4 Vogues...That song is HOT!

11. Gladys Knights performace. Man, she still got it! I wonder if Faith and Toni Braxton get along...Hold up...next number...

12. Toni Braxton. Is it me or does she come to every awards show with an outfit on that you cannot take your eyes off. She knows how to get some attention, I swear. Oh yeah I forgot, she's from PG county...That explains it. Our PG county women know how to look good! Yessir!!!!!

13. GAME's performance. DREAMS is my song. He just trips me out how he always talking gangsta about people and dissing dudes then he go everywhere with his son. Not a good move for your son's health GAME. I hope you got some good security. And Mary does what Mary does when she gets up there...Rips it!

14. What was up with Mariah Caery? Looked like she was having trouble walking and she was definitely having trouble singing!

15. What did FREE have on during the pre-show? It was ugly, but no matter what she wears, somehow she always looks good. And fellas, you know what I mean.

16. Ray-J...Man, this is the funniest dude I have ever seen in my life. Why does it seem like he's trying hard as hell to fit in and be like everybody else. That's like me tryna act like I'm a thug! It just don't work Ray-GEEZY! LMAO! Man, where's Russ Parr when I need him?

17. Tito Jackson. I dunno why, I just felt the need to say his name!

18. Steve Harvey. For shouting out brothers with suits on. Fellas, we gotta step our game up and present ourselves professionally if we wanna "move up". Everybody can't be P Diddy, Dame, Jigga, or Master P. And I bet even they don suits every once in a while.

19. The Dame Dash and 50 Cent commercials. I had to admit it, but 50 Cent is now an entity. He's far beyond just music and has successfully marketed and positioned himself to be an icon of hip-hop like Jigga is. Nothing's special about that commerical for his shoe other than he's got Manny Ramirez, Winky Wright, and McNabb in it. He's tapping all sorts of demographics and markets! And Dame. "You gotta know how to Pop Tags and be Young Fresh to Def" This dude's got his own language. I know what you mean DAME, but could you break it down for those who might not know????

20. ALICIA KEYS...Man she is FINE!