BET Awards Recap - A Star Studded Show With Plenty of Comebacks

The 2010 BET Awards show last night was full of memorable moments. Host Queen Latifah was very musical, first singing to famous members of the audience, then returning to her rap roots and rhyming about the royalty in the audience - herself and Prince, who is to receive BET's lifetime achievement award. The unexpected happened during the performance of Chris Brown in an emotional tribute to the Late Michael Jackson.

The troubled, young pop star has mostly kept a low profile since pleading guilty to felony assault for roughing up, then girlfriend, Rihanna back in February 2009. But here he took center stage and performed Jackson's signature dance moves with almost eerie accuracy. Brown was introduced by Jermaine Jackson. He mimicked the "Gloved One" well, wearing his fedora and spangled glove and moonwalking across the stage to "Billie Jean." But, as Brown grabbed a microphone to sing "Man in the Mirror," he broke down in tears. His voice cracked, and appeared to not be able to sing and perform on. At one point he crumpled to the stage in apparent agony. It was a moving moment made even more so by the song's lyrics that dug deep into Brown's conscience of his recent past.

Kanye West opened the show atop a volcano onstage to begin the show of comebacks. For West, he was expected to offer up a special performance, one of his first high-profile appearances since he slipped out of the spotlight in the wake of his controversial interruption of country singer Taylor Swift at the MTV Video Music Awards.

T.I. also made a triumphant return to television in his first TV performance since being released from prison in December. He was supported by having Travis Barker on drums during his performance of "Yeah Ya Know." Later, T.I. returned to the stage to sing "Hello, Good Morning" with Diddy-Dirty Money, Rick Ross and Nicki Minaj, who won for female hip-hop artist.

Usher sang "There Goes My Baby" with a string section during his performance.  Drake, named best male hip-hop artist, performed "Thank Me Later." B.o.B. was joined by Keyshia Cole, and later Eminem, on "Airplanes." Eminem continued with his new single, "Not Afraid," backed by a choir.

80's R&B Phenom, El DeBarge also made a comeback at the 2010 BET Awards Show. His familiar falsetto voice seemed undiminished as he performed his hits "All This Love," "I Like It," ''Time Will Reveal" and "Rhythm of the Night."

Alicia Keys performed a medley of her hits, bookended by two awards. She won for female R&B artist and best collaboration for her song with Jay-Z, "Empire State of Mind."

John Legend will also receive a special honor Sunday. The Grammy winner was handed BET's humanitarian award for his work the Show Me campaign, which aims to eradicate poverty worldwide through education and health care.

The BET Awards honor the year's best in music, sports and film in 19 categories.

Trey Songz was named best male R&B artist, Serena Williams won sportswoman of the year and LeBron James was sportsman of the year.

Jay-Z led nominees with five nods, including two for video of the year, for "Empire State of Mind" and "Run This Town."

Beyonce, Keys, Songz and Melanie Fiona had four nominations each.

Tween sensation Justin Bieber is up for best new artist, while fellow tween star, Selena Gomez, is nominated for the Young Stars award.

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