Lil Wayne and T-Pain Rule the BET Awards – TheBestofYouTube.tv

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T-Pain and Lil Wayne have owned the music scene over the past year: It seems as if T-Pain's voice has accented half the hits on urban radio, while Lil Wayne, another ubiquitous collaborator, has appeared on the rest.

In addition, Lil Wayne just this month scored the year's best-selling album sales debut with 1 million copies sold of his new CD, "Tha Carter III."

So it was appropriate that both artists dominated Tuesday's BET Awards with not only their energetic performances but their presence, despite winning just one trophy each.

"We're blessed to be in this man's presence," Kanye West, one of music's biggest self-promoters, said of T-Pain when the pair accepted their award for best collaboration for "The Good Life," going on to call T-Pain a "genius."

"I'll let y'all know because I'm one of the kings of this game. My opinion counts." West also paid homage to Lil Wayne, calling him "my fiercest competition."

"You scared me man," West said, bringing Lil Wayne onstage when West won the trophy for best hip-hop male. "Congratulations on selling over a million records. And they say hip hop is dead."

Other highlights from the three-hour ceremony included a girl group reunion; a stirring tribute to the Rev. (and soul legend) Al Green; and topless performance by ripped rapper Nelly.

Another name heard frequently throughout the night was that of Barack Obama. Diddy, Alicia Keys and other nominees used their time onstage to urge viewers to vote, and clearly showed their support for the Democratic presumptive presidential nominee, who could become the nation's first black president.

The night's most memorable moments came in performance form. Keys, who was named best female R&B artist, invited SWV, En Vogue and TLC to join her onstage for a medley of their biggest hits. By the time they closed with TLC's "Waterfalls," the crowd was on its feet. Even West was singing along.

Queen Latifah introduced Humanitarian Award recipient Quincy Jones, calling him "an international artist" and "a leader."

"He showed us black entertainment is more than just a hustle," she said. "It's more than just selling albums. It's about inspiration."

The night's most somber moment came when UGK was named best group. Bun B honored his fallen bandmate, Pimp C, who died in December at age 33 from complications of sleep apnea.

"It's hard to do this with my brother not being here," Bun B said, while joined onstage with Pimp C's wife. "We want to thank y'all for supporting UGK all these years. It's still UGK for life... Long live Pimp C."

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