New Edition performs a protection to Michael Jackson at the beginning of the 9th Annual BET Awards on Sunday, June 28, 2009, in Los Angeles.AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
LOS ANGELESWhile BET celebrated the spirit of Michael Jackson the entertainer, Janet Jacksonin her first public appearance since her brother's shocking deathmemorialized him as her beloved sibling and family member, eliciting tears as she vowed his memory would last forever.
"To you Michael is an icon," said Jackson, holding back tears at Sunday's BET Awards. "To us, Michael is home and he will always be in all of our hearts. On behalf of my home and myself, thank you for all of your love, thank you for all of your support. We miss him so much, thank you so much."
Afterward, Ne-Yo and host Jamie Foxx performed a somber version of the Jackson 5 classic "I'll Be There," as photos of Jackson flashed across the screen.
It was a stirring emotional highlight for a record that was completely revamped to know the bequest of Jackson, who died Thursday at age 50. While awards were still doled out, the show's main focus was to pay tribute to the man who wrought the careers of every entertainer who walked the point that night.
Joe Jackson, the singer's father, was also give to be the grief-stricken family. "I only like he could be here to keep himself," he said earlier the show. "Sadly, he's not here, so I'm here to keep for him."
And for the about part, it was a joyous wake.
"No motivation to be sad. We need to keep this black man," said Foxx, who kicked off the evidence with a re-enactment of the choreography from Jackson's iconic "Beat It" video in presence of the star-studded crowd, on its feet from the part of the show
Already an occasion of major star wattage, the night's show at the Shrine Auditorium was thrown under a white-hot spot in the aftermath of Jackson's death, adding attendees and guests, doubling the amount of media requests, adding an additional half-hour to the telecast and even lengthening the red carpet to fit all who wanted to have part.
Backstage, Ciara recounted talking on the ring with her god and her regrets that she never got to see him. As she talked, she started to cry. "He meant so often to me," she said through tears.
While Jackson's incredible influence stretched across genres, races and cultures, he had a singular position in the existence of black entertainment. His work is arguably most visible in urban music, seen in stars like Usher who mimic his dance moves, to Ne-Yo, whose music is pronounced by its Jackson-isms. But that influence went beyond music: Jackson was black America's biggest star, who broke racial barriers that allowed for so many other superstars to follow.
"Michael Jackson was so crucial to our world, to our country, to this network," said BET Chairwoman Debra L. Lee. "Michael was really a musical diety."
Producers of the annual awards showwhich recognizes the better in music, acting and sportsrevamped the point to fit the moment. While Beyonce and T.I. were the leading award nominees with five apiece, giving out trophies was an afterthought: Honoring Jackson was became the show's main focus.
While some performed their own hits, most made certain to contain some of the man who influenced them in their performances. A tone of "Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson" was heard while Keri Hilson performed, and Foxx's "Blame It" incorporated some of the Jacksons' dance hit "Blame It On the Boogie."
Throughout the night, Foxx also regularly turned up in around of Jackson's signature looks, like the wide-collar black leather outfit from "Billie Jean."
New Edition, the 1980s teen sensations who were considered that generation's Jackson 5 with their own variation of bubble-gum soul, ran through several of the Jackson 5's greatest hits, from "I Want You Back" to "ABC," mirroring their idols right down to the group's original choreography. Ne-Yo sang one of Jackson's most sensual songs, "Lady in my Life."
"He's the man who made it possible for me to be on the stage; I know you and I lose you," he said later.
Ciara sang Jackson's humanitarian anthem, "Heal the World," dressed in a crown that had Jackson's signature military epaulets.
And winners acknowledged Jackson when they received their awards.
"This is for you, Michael Jackson," said Beyonce, as she held her trophy for best female RB artist skyward. "I hold to thank Michael for being my next and my hero."
"We all know none of us in this in this room wouldn't be here for Michael Jackson," said Lil Wayne, as he picked up his prize for best male hip-hop star.
"My spirit and prayers go out to the whole Jackson family," said basketball star LeBron James, who won best male athlete.
Not every minute had the boss of Jackson. Foxx resurrected his "In Living Color" character Wanda and opposite it with another cross-dressing classic character, Martin Lawrence's Sheneneh, for a hilarious parody of an "upcoming movie": "Skank Robbers."
Beyonce gave a simultaneously sexy and angelic performance of "Ave Maria"; Ne-Yo brought out some of the hitmaking male RB acts of the eighties and 1980s, from Bell Biv Devoe to Guy. But even without a direct Jackson reference, there was normally a Jackson connection, as all of those artists counted Jackson as an inspiration. And Eddie Levert of the classic RB group the O'Jays talked about how much he'd miss Jackson even as his group was honored with a lifetime achievement award.
Other performers incorporated some of the man who influenced them in their performances. A tone of "Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson" was heard while Keri Hilson performed, and Foxx's "Blame It" incorporated some of the Jacksons' dance hit "Blame It On the Boogie."
Jackson connections were inescapable: Even the building where the ceremony took place, the Shrine auditorium, was where Jackson's hair and scalp were burnt during the filming of a Pepsi commercial in 1984. It was likewise the position for several of his Grammy and American Music Award performances.
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