2012 BET Awards: Beyonce, Kanye West, Chris Brown and Jay-Z win trophies

2012 BET Awards: Beyonce, Kanye West, Chris Brown and Jay-Z win home trophies

Whitney Houston's sister gave a rousing performance of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" that left the crowd in tears, including Beyonce and Melanie Fiona.

Cissy Houston's tribute to her late daughter was the emotional highlight of Sunday's BET Awards, a show that was defined by extended bleeps and the vulgarities that censors failed to catch onstage throughout the night.

Mariah Carey opened the tribute with memories of her mate. They was followed by a moving number by Monica. Brandy, heavily influenced by Houston, sang of the late singer's hits. Chaka Khan blazed the stage with "I'm Every Woman," which Houston remade. Gary Houston, Whitney's sister, also performed.

But the very four-hour BET Awards was more like the Bleep Awards, as whole segments of performances from Nicki Minaj to Rick Ross were muted out due to foul language.

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West followed up the Kris Humphries and group performance with a free-style rap of his own, at the finish of which they hailed, "In Jesus' name," dropped the microphone and marched off to stage left. The camera then panned to the audience where Kardashian was giving a standing ovation to her man.

The BET Awards opening was very entirely Kanye-themed. It started off with a performance by Samuel L. Jackson called "Negros in Paris" featuring Spike Lee as special visitor. Minutes later, the first award of the night, for best group, went to Jay-Z and West'sThe Throne.

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But Kim Kanye weren't the only superstar power couple in the house. Jay-Z, who made a surprise appearance with the Best Group win, and Beyonce Knowles were seated down the row in what can only be described as the final multimillionaire date night.
Other winners so far in the broadcast include Massive Sean, for best new artist, and Chris Brown for best male R and B artist.