Sean Combs tumbles, Janet Jackson gets emotional at BET awards


Diddy
Rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs took a tumble, Janet
Jackson made an emotional appearance, and the
BET TV network paid tribute on Sunday to
campaigners demanding better police, after a
troubled year. Combs fell through a hole in the
stage at the BET Awards show during a 20th
anniversary celebration of his Bad Boy record
label.
The show reunited hip-hop artists like Lil’ Kim,
Faith Evans and 112 in a celebration joined by
Pharrell Williams. Combs quickly got up and
carried on with the performance, appearing
unhurt. The BET awards pay tribute to the leading
black music, acting, sports and entertainment
figures in the U.S. of the past year. Current
political events were never far away at Sunday’s
ceremony in Los Angeles.
Actor Michael B. Jordan, star of the 2013 film
“Fruitvale Station,’’ gave a speech on behalf of
the cable network. He acknowledged the
thousands of Americans who have demonstrated
over the deaths of young black men at the hands
of the Police in the past 12 months. “BET is
shining a light on you for taking to the streets
and insisting that black lives matter.
“We see you and applaud your unbreakable,
unshakeable strength,’’ Jordan said, referring to
deaths in Ferguson, Missouri, Baltimore and New
York. In one of the most hotly anticipated
moments of the almost four-hour ceremony,
Janet Jackson was presented with the inaugural
Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual Award.
Jackson, 49, announced last month that she
would release her first album of new material
since “Discipline” in 2008 and embark on her first
world tour in four years.
“It’s been a very long journey to this moment. My
heart is so full,” said Jackson, dressed in a white
jump suit. The youngest member of the Jackson
family singing clan, Janet thanked her fans and
her parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, who
were seated at the front of the Los Angeles
arena.
In the main awards of the night, rapper Nicki
Minaj won for best female hip-hop artist and
Kendrick Lamar, who performed atop two graffiti-
covered police cars, took home best male hip-hop
artist.

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