West Leads Winners At BET Awards

Rapper Kanye West is celebrating after winning two Black Entertainment Television (bet) Awards at a ceremony in Hollywood last night - the only star to pick up more than one award.

West was named Best Male Hip-Hop star and his single Jesus Walks won Video Of The Year, although he wasn't at the Kodak Theatre bash in person.

Elsewhere, Destiny's Child won Best Group; Usher won Best Male R+b Artist; Remy MA picked up Best Female Rap Artist; while Jamie Foxx and Regina King were named Best Actor and Best Actress respectively.

On collecting her award for Best Female R+b Artist, Alicia Keys told the audience, "This is for all my people who are really trying to dream big dreams.

"Let's do it. Let's think big. Let's think beyond what these people are trying to hold us down to. Doctors, lawyers, engineers, musicians."

Keys also presented soul legend Gladys Knight with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ciara and Missy Elliot were named Best Collaboration for their song 1, 2 Step.

Actor Denzel Washington's wife Paulette accepted an award honouring their charity work.

The show was presented by movie couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, while Destiny's Child, Missy Elliott, The Game, Mary J Blige, Gladys Knight and the newly reformed The Fugees all performed at the event.

The full list of winners is:

Best Female Rap Artist - Remy MA

Best Group - Destiny's Child

best Female R+b Artist - Alicia KEYS

Best New Artist - John Legend

best Actor - Jamie FOXX

Best Male R+b Artist - Usher

best Male Hip-Hop - Kanye WEST

Best Actress - Regina KING

Male Athlete Of The Year - Shaquille O'NEAL

Female Athlete Of The Year - Serena Williams

best Gospel Artist - Donnie McCLURKIN

Viewer's Choice Award - Omarion's O

Video Of The Year - Kanye West's Jesus Walks

best Collaboration - Ciara and Missy Elliott's 1, 2 STEP

Lifetime Achievement Award - Gladys Knight.