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D.L. Hughley Set To Host 'BET AWARDS '08' Live from Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium on Tuesday, June 24 at 8:00 P.M.*
Alicia Keys, Chris Brown, Kanye West and Young Jeezy Will Join Previously
Announced Performers Usher, Lil Wayne and Nelly for 'The Hottest Ticket on
Television'
Legendary R&B Icon Al Green to Receive BET's Lifetime Achievement Award and
Celebrated Producer/Arranger/Composer Quincy Jones Set for BET's
Humanitarian Award
NEW YORK, June 3 -- Actor and comedian D.L. Hughley will
take the reins as the host of BET AWARDS '08. Tagged as "the hottest ticket
on television," BET AWARDS '08 is raising the stakes as the biggest stars
in music, sports and entertainment unite under one roof at Los Angeles'
historic Shrine Auditorium on Tuesday, June 24 at 8:00 p.m.*. Continuing in
its landmark tradition, BET AWARDS '08 will feature LIVE performances by
some of today's hottest artists, including Usher, Lil Wayne and Nelly.
Newly announced performers include Alicia Keys, nominated for Best
Female R&B, Video of the Year and Viewer's Choice; multiple nominee Kanye
West (Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Best Collaboration with T-Pain on the
single "Good Life" and Video of the Year for the same); Chris Brown, who
has locked in four nominations including Best Male R&B, Viewer's Choice and
Best Collaboration with T-Pain on "Kiss Kiss"; and Best Collaboration
nominee Young Jeezy.
As a member of The Original Kings of Comedy and star of his own sitcom,
"The Hughleys," D.L. has made a name for himself in the world of
entertainment. He was most recently seen starring in a one-hour comedy
special for HBO entitled "Unapologetic" and as host of "Def Comedy Jam."
In keeping with the history-making track record of the most highly
anticipated night in Black entertainment, BET is pulling out all of the
stops in naming this year's special honorees. Legendary R&B icon Al Green
will be in the house to receive BET's Lifetime Achievement Award. Joining
him will be celebrated producer/arranger/composer Quincy Jones, who will be
honored with BET's prestigious Humanitarian Award for his outreach to young
African- Americans through the Listen Up Foundation, a charity which
connects youth with music, technology and culture. In addition, Jones
helped launch the We Are the Future project, giving hope to children in
poor and conflict-ridden areas.
For the past seven years, the BET AWARDS has boasted unforgettable
moments such as Michael Jackson's surprise appearance during James Brown's
tribute; Rick James in his final duet with Teena Marie; Will Smith
presenting Muhammad Ali with the first-ever Humanitarian Award; Prince
onstage backing Chaka Khan; Stevie Wonder, Yolanda Adams and India.Arie in
a powerhouse tribute to Rufus' first lady of funk; Destiny's Child's steamy
lap dance; the reunion of one of hip hop's most beloved trios, The Fugees;
and last year's touching opening performance with Jennifer Hudson and
Jennifer Holliday.
BET has once again teamed up with Cossette Productions, the famed
producers of the GRAMMY Awards(R) and the seven record-setting BET AWARDS
shows, to handle production of the telecast. Stephen Hill, BET Executive
Vice President, Music and Programming, along with Lynne Harris-Taylor, BET
Vice President of Specials, will executive produce the telecast.
BET AWARDS '08 will be sponsored by Dodge, Pepsi, Verizon Wireless,
General Motors, P&G, Target, CIROC Vodka and Ford.
Log onto BET.com for BET On Blast video highlights, photos and
continuous BET AWARDS '08 updates at http://www.bet.com/betawards .
*All times ET/PT
About BET Networks
BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is the
nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public
affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The
primary BET channel reaches more than 87 million households according to
Nielsen Media Research, and can be seen in the U.S., Canada and the
Caribbean. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a
diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading internet
destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET Digital
Networks - BET J, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for
cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Event Productions, a full-scale
event management and production company; BET Home Entertainment, a
collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs
and video-on-demand; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video
content for wireless devices; and BET International, an extension of BET
network programming for global distribution.
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