6th Annual BET Awards

Beyonce Knowles poses backstage in the press room during the 6th annual BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27, 2006. With rumors flying in the media that she and boyfriend Jay-Z are going through a rough patch, the sultry songstress knows just how to divert attention.

Houston rapper and "iced grill" specialist Paul Wall, who was nominated for the award for best new artist, arrives at the 6th annual BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27, 2006. Swisha House/Atlantic Records is prepping the grillmaster's highly anticipated follow-up album, "Ain't No 401K For A Hustla," for a fall release.

Damon Wayans opens the 6th annual BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27, 2006. The actor and comedian took over hosting duties at the awards ceremony; he replaced Will Smith and Jada Pinkett, who hosted last year.

Prince accepts the award for best male R&B artist during the 6th annual BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27, 2006. Mr. Purple Rain electrified the Shrine Auditorium with both of his stage appearances -- one during a show-stopping tribute to Chaka Khan featuring Stevie Wonder, India Arie and Yolanda Adams; the other when he closed the show.

We are all witness as NBA man-child "King" LeBron James holds the award for male athlete of the year during the 6th annual BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27, 2006. During the 2005-06 season, the 21-year-old became the fourth player in NBA history to average 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists; the other three are Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, and Michael Jordan, all Hall of Famers.

Kanye West, left, and Jamie Foxx accept the award for best duet/collaboration for their work on "Gold Digger," during the 6th annual BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27, 2006. Foxx, who shared a long onstage tongue-kiss with "American Idol" Fantasia during a performance later in the evening, also won best video with Kanye.

"Rubberband Man" T.I. accepts the award for best male hip hop artist during the 6th annual BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27, 2006.

Nominated artist Busta Rhymes arrives at the 6th annual BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27, 2006. The rapper, whose new album, "The Big Bang," shot to No. 1 on the Billboard charts, brought along all his homies, including a surprise appearance by Eminem (alongside Missy Elliott, Lloyd Banks and Rah Digga, among others) for a show-stopping rendition of the "Touch It" remix.

Chaka Khan holds the BET lifetime achievement award during the 6th annual BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27, 2006. Prince paid tribute to the legendary songstress with a performance during the show.

Mary J. Blige accepts the award for video of the year for her work on "Be Without You," during the 6th annual BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27, 2006. She shared the honor with Kanye West and Jamie Foxx, who were honored for "Gold Digger."

Beyonce is joined by boyfriend Jay-Z as they open the 6th annual BET Awards on June 27, 2006, performing her new single "Deja Vu." Two nights earlier, Beyonce performed with the Def Jam honcho at his Radio City Music Hall concert; apparently he was returning the favor.

Sixteen-year-old phenom Chris Brown, who won awards for best new artist and BET viewers' choice artist, performs during the 6th annual BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27, 2006. At one point during the performance, he climbed into a cage to perform "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)," and the cage floated over the audience toward the balcony, where he picked up a young lady and serenaded her while floating back toward the stage.

"Hotlanta" rappers Big Boi, left, and Andre "Andre 3000" Benjamin of Outkast pose backstage in the press room during the 6th annual BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27, 2006. Outkast hyped the long-awaited release of its next album (Aug. 22) and new movie "Idlewild" (Aug. 25). Of the latter, Big Boi would say only that it is "not a typical musical and features two stories going on at the same time."

Harry Belafonte accepts the BET humanitarian award after being saluted by BET head honcho Debra Lee and actor Danny Glover during the 6th annual BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27, 2006.

Kirk Franklin, the gospel singer who has been referenced by Dipset don/rapper Cam'ron in his song "Take'em To Church," accepts the award for best gospel artist during the 6th annual BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27, 2006.

Will.I.am, of the Black Eyed Peas holds the award for best group during the 6th annual BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27, 2006. The rapper said he was awestruck after performing a show-closing freestyle with Prince.

Missy Elliott, who will play herself in an upcoming autobiographical film produced by Robert De Niro and his Tribeca Films company, holds the award for best female hip-hop performer during the 6th annual BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27, 2006.

Bad Boy honcho Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, left, and Bad Boy rapper Yung Joc, who owns the No. 1 spot on the Billboard hip-hop/R&B singles chart with "It's Goin' Down," announce the award for best female R&B artist during the 6th annual BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27, 2006. P. Diddy will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this year.

Mr."Only in America," boxing promoter Don King, was on stage to introduce T.I. during the 6th annual BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27, 2006.

Mary J. Blige performs during the 6th annual BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27, 2006. Blige won awards for video of the year and best female R&B artist.

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