BET AWARDS IN THE BOOKS

In a night which saw Oscar winner Halle Berry and Will Smith take best actress/actor awards and boxing legend Muhammad Ali (whom Smith played in Ali) receive a humanitarian award, Black Entertainment Television’s second annual awards ceremony went off in grand fashion at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre.

The event was hosted by comedians Steve Harvey and Cedric the Entertainer, who presided over festivities that included a lifetime achievement award for Earth, Wind & Fire.

Best Group award went to OutKast, while Best Male R&B Artist went to Usher and Best Female R&B Artist went to India.Arie.

Ja Rule and Missy Elliott won Best Male and Female Hip-Hop Artist, respectively, while Alicia Keys took home the Best New Artist award.

Other winners included Best Gospel Artist Yolanda Adams, Best Male Althlete Kobe Bryant, Best Female Athlete Laila Ali and the Chairman’s Award winner, gospel singer Dr. Bobby Jones. Video of the year went to Busta Rhymes’ “Pass The Courvoisier, Part II.”