Taking The Stage

The 2011 BET Awards performers know how to work a stage.

Alicia Keys - Every time Alicia Keys takes the stage, she gives us a feeling that we've never felt before.

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Alicia Keys - Every time Alicia Keys takes the stage, she gives us a feeling that we've never felt before.

Chris Brown - Watching a Chris Brown performance is a total experience: It's all about the music, the vocals and, most of all, the moves.

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Chris Brown - Watching a Chris Brown performance is a total experience: It's all about the music, the vocals, and most of all the moves.

Jill Scott\r - With years of experience as a spoken-word artist, actress and award-winning musician, few people are more at home on a stage than Miss Jill Scott. And with a brand new album on deck, her performance is sure to shine like The Light of the Sun.

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Jill Scott - With years of experience as a spoken-word artist, actress, and award-winning musician, few people are more at home on a stage than Miss Jill Scott. And with a brand new album on deck, her performance is sure to shine like The Light Of The Sun.

Drake - After diving headfirst into superstardom two years ago, Drizzy Drake has been living in the spotlight's glare every single day. Young Money's White Knight steps on the stage armed with an ever-growing arsenal of musical ammunition.

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Drake - After diving headfirst into superstardom two years ago, Drizzy Drake has been living in the spotlight's glare every single day. Young Money's White Knight steps on the stage armed with an ever-growing arsenal of musical ammunition.

Lil Wayne - Watching Weezy rip the mic is like witnessing a phenomenon of nature. He flows like water from the rock struck by Moses. He's always saying "I am not a human being," and we're starting to believe him.

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Lil Wayne - Watching Weezy rip the mic is like witnessing a phenomenon of nature. He flows like water from the rock struck by Moses. He's always saying "I am not a human being," and we're starting to believe him.

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Mary J. Blige\r - Ever since 1992 when she first came out singing about "Real Love," Mary J has embodied those two words. Nobody shows more love for her fans, nobody keeps it realer when they step onstage.

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Mary J. Blige - Ever since 1992, when she first came out singing about "Real Love," Mary J has embodied those two words. Nobody shows more love for her fans, nobody keeps it realer when they step onstage.

Beyoncé\r - Is there a stage on planet Earth that Beyoncé Knowles hasn't made her own? At any given moment B can kick into Sasha Fierce mode and run the world.

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Beyoncé - Is there a stage on planet earth that Beyoncé Knowles hasn't made her own? At any given moment B can kick into Sasha Fierce mode and run the world.

The Land Down Under April 15, 2010 - Kelly Rowland rocks the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia. The Supafest tour also stops in Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth.

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Kelly Rowland - Lest we forget, Kelly Rowland was the first member of Destiny's Child to step out on the solo tip with "Dilemma," her smash duet with Nelly. Now that she's got another banger on her hands you can expect Kelly to be highly motivated when she takes the stage at the BET Awards.

Living on the Road2010 - Trey Songz has been on three tours in the past year. The BP3 tour with Jay-Z, the Passion, Pain, Pleasure tour with Monica and the OMG tour with Usher. (Photo: Johnny Louis/WENN.com)

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Trey Songz - Trigga Trey is a young man with an old-school soul. His live show hearkens back to the tradition of R&B icons who do whatever it takes to deliver their audience full satisfaction. When he takes the stage, he'll be more than ready. Make sure you are too.

Rick Ross - Once upon a time Rick Ross used to compare himself to other iconic characters when he took the stage. "I think I'm Big Meech" he would say, "Larry Hoover" or "I'm MC Hammer." But after all the hits the Self-Made Maybach Music mogul has put up over the past year, all Ross has to say is one word: "Bawse."

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Rick Ross - Once upon a time Rick Ross used to compare himself to other iconic characters when he took the stage. "I think I'm Big Meech" he would say, "Larry Hoover" or "I'm MC Hammer." But after all the hits the Self-Made Maybach Music mogul has put up over the past year, all Ross has to say is one word: "Bawse."

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DJ Khaled\r - We all know that DJ Khaled has no self-esteem issues. The Miami heatmaker will stand on any stage in the world, raise his hand and proudly proclaim "We the Best!" And he's got the tunes to back up the boldest of boasts.

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DJ Khaled - We all know that DJ Khaled has no self-esteem issues. The Miami heatmaker will stand on any stage in the world, raise his hand and proudly proclaim "We The Best!" And he's got the tunes to back up the boldest of boasts.

Ace Hood - Ace Hood is no stranger to the BET Awards, but this year he will take the stage with the biggest tune of his career. So you already know this Florda fire-spitter is gonna "Hustle Hard."

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Ace Hood - Ace Hood is no stranger to the BET Awards, but this year he will take the stage with the biggest tune of his career. So you already know this Florda fire-spitter is gonna "Hustle Hard."

Pastor Shirley Caesar - Nobody get the spirit moving like the First Lady of Gospel. Get ready for Shirley Caesar to take the whole BET Awards to church.

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Pastor Shirley Caesar - Nobody get the spirit moving like the First Lady of Gospel. Get ready for Shirley Caesar to take the whole BET Awards to church.

Donnie McClurkin - The Grammy-winning vocalist and choir director is reponsible for hits like "We Fall Down" and "Stand." When Donnie McClurkin takes the stage, he never gives half a show.

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Donnie McClurkin - The Grammy-winning vocalist and choir director is reponsible for hits like "We Fall Down" and "Stand." When Donnie McClurkin takes the stage, he never gives half a show.

Mary Mary - When this sister act from Los Angeles takes the stage, they bring the message of inspiration music to a contemporary  audience. Get ready to make a joyful noise.

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Mary Mary - When this sister act from Los Angeles takes the stage, they bring the message of inspiration music to a contemporary  audience. Get ready to make a joyful noise.

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Deitrick Haddon - Bolding going where no gospel artist has gone before, Deitrick Haddon might just take the stage and decide to have "Church on the Moon."

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Deitrick Haddon - Bolding going where no gospel artist has gone before, Deitrick Haddon might just take the stage and decide to have "Church On The Moon."

Mali Music - Music Matters artist Mali Music has been turning heads with his contemporary spin on devotional music. But when he takes the stage at the 2011 BET Awards, it will the biggest show of his life. Expect the unexpected.

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Mali Music - Music Matters artist Mali Music has been turning heads with his contemporary spin on devotional music. But when he takes the stage at the 2011 BET Awards, it will the biggest show of his life. Expect the unexpected.

KimberlyNichole\r - This Music Matters artist is on some ol' next ish. When the Rock Ballerina takes the stage, you'd better hold on to your tutu.

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KimberlyNichole - This Music Matters artist is on some ol' next ish. When the Rock Ballerina takes the stage, you'd better hold on to your tutu.