'Anything can happen' and did with surprise sets like Kendrick Lamar and Erykah Badu, as K.Dot racked up hardware and Drake was a no-show.
Drake led the nominees going into the 2013 BET Awards with 12 nods, but he didn't make it out to Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre on Sunday night (June 30) to grab any of his trophies. Instead, the Toronto rapper addressed his absence via tweet, telling fans he was "finishing the album and spending time w/ family."
And while Drizzy looked like the man to beat, it was Kendrick Lamar — tied with second-most nominated 2 Chainz at eight nods apiece — who took home a hefty bag of hardware, including Best New Artist and Best Male Hip-Hop Artist.
K.Dot hit the stage again to share the Best Collaboration award for A$AP Rocky's "Problems" (with 2 Chainz and an absent Drake), and Nicki Minaj had a teary moment when she took home the award for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist. But the show wasn't just about statues: With Chris Tucker hosting the proceedings, a spate of performances lived up to the 2013 slogan "anything can happen," from unexpected pairings to lively, star-studded tributes. Nicki turning up for Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake and Pharrell showing off smooth moves for a Charlie Wilson tribute were just a few of the highlights.
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
WINNER: Rihanna
» Beyoncé
» Tamar Braxton
» Alicia Keys
» Elle Varner
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
WINNER: Miguel
» Chris Brown
» Bruno Mars
» Justin Timberlake
» Usher
Best Group
WINNER: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
» Mary Mary
» Mindless Behavior
» Slaughterhouse
» The Throne (Kanye West and Jay-Z)
Best Collaboration
WINNER: A$AP Rocky (featuring Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar) - "F---in' Problems"
» 2 Chainz (featuring Drake) - "No Lie"
» French Montana (featuring Rick Ross, Drake and Lil Wayne) - "Pop That"
» Kendrick Lamar (featuring Drake) - "Poetic Justice"
» Justin Timberlake (featuring Jay-Z) - "Suit & Tie"
» Kanye West (featuring Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz) - "Mercy"
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
WINNER: Kendrick Lamar
» 2 Chainz
» A$AP Rocky
» Drake
» Future
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
WINNER: Nicki Minaj
» Azealia Banks
» Eve
» Rasheeda
» Rye Rye
Video of the Year
WINNER: Drake - "Started From the Bottom"
» 2 Chainz (featuring Drake) - "No Lie"
» A$AP Rocky (featuring Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar) - "F---in' Problems"
» Drake (featuring Lil Wayne) - "HYFR"
» Kendrick Lamar (featuring Drake) - "Poetic Justice"
» Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (featuring Wanz) - "Thrift Shop"
» Miguel - "Adorn"
» Rihanna - "Diamonds"
» Justin Timberlake (featuring Jay-Z) - "Suit & Tie"
» Kanye West (featuring Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz) - "Mercy"
Video Director of the Year
WINNER: Benny Boom
» A$AP Rocky and Sam Lecca
» Director X
» Dre Films
» Hype Williams
Best New Artist
WINNER: Kendrick Lamar
» Azealia Banks
» Joey Bada$$
» Trinidad Jame$
» The Weeknd
Best Gospel Artist
WINNER: Mary Mary
» Deitrick Haddon
» Lecrae
» Tamela Mann
» Marvin Sapp
Best Actress
WINNER: Kerry Washington
» Angela Bassett
» Halle Berry
» Taraji P. Henson
» Gabrielle Union
Best Actor
WINNER: Jamie Foxx
» Don Cheadle
» Common
» Samuel L. Jackson
» Denzel Washington
YoungStars Award
WINNER: Gabrielle Douglas
» Jacob Latimore
» Keke Palmer
» Jaden Smith
» Quvenzhané Wallis
Best Movie
WINNER: "Think Like a Man"
» "Beasts of the Southern Wild"
» "Django Unchained"
» "Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap"
» "Sparkle"
Subway Sportswoman of the Year
WINNER: Gabrielle Douglas
» Brittney Griner
» Candace Parker
» Serena Williams
» Venus Williams
Subway Sportsman of the Year
WINNER: LeBron James
» Victor Cruz
» Kevin Durant
» Robert Griffin III
» Ray Lewis
Coca-Cola Viewers' Choice Award
WINNER: Drake - "Started From the Bottom"
» A$AP Rocky (featuring Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar) - "F---in' Problems"
» Kendrick Lamar - "Swimming Pools (Drank)"
» Miguel - "Adorn"
» Rihanna - "Diamonds"
» Justin Timberlake (featuring Jay-Z) - "Suit & Tie"
Centric Award
WINNER: Tamar Braxton - "Love and War"
» Fantasia - "Lose to Win"
» Miguel - "Adorn"
» Nas - "Daughters"
» Charlie Wilson - "My Love Is All I Have"
Best International Act: Africa
WINNER: Ice Prince (Nigeria)
» 2Face Idibia (Nigeria)
» Toya Delazy (South Africa)
» Donald (South Africa)
» R2Bees (Ghana)
» Radio and Weasel (Uganda)
Best International Act: UK
WINNER: Emeli Sandé
» Marsha Ambrosius
» Estelle
» Labrinth
» Rita Ora
» Wiley
