Now Playing 
Chris Brown delivered his first post-jail performance, and Robin Thicke continued his effort to win back his estranged wife, at BET Awards 14 in Los Angeles on Sunday night.
Chris was joined by Lil Wayne and Tyga for a rendition of his new song, “Loyal.” Before he took the stage, host Chris Rock quipped, “He just signed a new deal…too bad it was a plea deal.” In reality, Chris just rejected a plea deal in his Washington, D.C. assault case.
Brown followed up on his BET Awards appearance by premiering a new song, “New Flame,” featuring Usher and Rick Ross, on SoundCloud.
Toward the end of the three-and-a-half-hour ceremony, Thicke played a ballad titled “Forever Love,” which he dedicated to his estranged wife, Paula Patton. He introduced it by addressing Patton directly: “I miss you and I am sorry.”
Several artists, including John Legend, performed the music of Lionel Richie during a tribute to the singer, who received a lifetime achievement award. Lionel also took the mic for a medley of hits, including “All Night Long (All Night).”
Other performers included Pharrell Williams — who won the video of the year award, for “Happy” — Usher, Iggy Azalea, Beyoncé and Jay Z. The latter two were featured in footage from their just-launched On the Run tour.
Nicki Minaj made an interesting comment when she accepted the award for best female hip-hop artist — her fifth consecutive victory in the category. She said, “The other day, literally I didn’t tell anybody this, I really thought I was about to die. Like, I was saying my prayers to die. And I didn’t even want to call the ambulance because I thought, ‘Well if I call the ambulance, it’s going to be on TMZ.'”
She continued, “And I would rather sit there and die. And it made me realize I don’t care what anybody got to say. I’m going to do me.”
Nicki and her Young Money crew collectively won the most trophies, with three. Pharrell, Beyoncé and August Alsina each collected two awards.
Here’s a list of winners:
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Pharrell Williams
Best Group
Young Money
Best Collaboration
Beyoncé f/ Jay Z – “Drunk In Love”
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
Drake
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Nicki Minaj
Video of the Year
Pharrell Williams – “Happy”
Video Director of the Year
Hype Williams
Best New Artist
August Alsina
Best Gospel Artist
Tamela Mann
Best Actress
Lupita Nyong’o
Best Actor
Chiwetel Ejiofor
YoungStars Award
KeKe Palmer
Best Movie
12 Years a Slave
Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Serena Williams
Subway Sportsman of the Year
Kevin Durant
Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
August Alsina f/ Trinidad Jame$ – “I Luv This”
Centric Award
Jhené Aiko – “The Worst”
Best International Act: Africa
Davido (Nigeria)
Best International Act: UK
Krept & Konan
Follow @ABCNewsRadio
Copyright 2014 ABC News Radio
awards brown chris deliver newsworthy performances Robin thicke
