1 / 21

Best Group – The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) - The 2012 BET Awards is in the books, and it was one to remember, with unforgettable performances, hilarious skits and emotional tributes. But in the end, it's all about the winners! Take a look back at the amazing artists who won big at the 2012 BET Awards. After their massive year — complete with a No. 1 album, Watch the Throne, and an acclaimed world tour — two of hip hop’s biggest stars joined forces yet again to win for Best Group. “We worked really hard on this album," Jay-Z said, after surprising Kanye onstage. "We didn’t take anything for granted; we didn’t rely on our name."(Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET)

2 / 21

Best Actor – Kevin Hart - Funnyman Kevin Hart beat out some big names to snatch the coveted Best Actor Award. "I was a shoo-in," he joked. “Much better than Denzel, much better than Don Cheadle. I look better than Idris [Elba].”  (Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET)

3 / 21

Best New Artist – Big Sean - Big Sean won Best New Artist after dominating the past year with hits from his debut album, Finally Famous, including "Marvin & Chardonnay" and "My Last." "I appreciate all the love y'all showed me," the Detroit MC said. "When I started doing what I loved, I started living the life I love — that's what it is." (Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET)

4 / 21

Best Male R&B Artist – Chris Brown - A low-key Chris Brown took home Best Male R&B Artist after responding to a firestorm of criticism and doubt with his first No. 1 album, F.A.M.E. "I want to thank all my fans," CB said, keeping it short and sweet. "I dedicate this to y'all — I appreciate everything."(Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET)

5 / 21

Best Collaboration – Wale feat. Miguel, "Lotus Flower Bomb" - Crossing genres and breaking hearts, MMG spitter Wale and crooner Miguel won for Best Collaboration with their hit single "Lotus Flower Bomb." "I ain't won much," Wale said with Miguel at his side. "It's my moment."(Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET)

6 / 21

Best Gospel Artist – Yolanda Adams - Gospel legend Yolanda Adams added yet another trophy to her increasingly crowded mantle with a win for Best Gospel Artist. “This is amazing to me,” Yolanda said. “If anybody has ever…told you you can’t do what’s in your heart and in your dreams, trust me — I’m a witness that you can do anything that God has placed on the inside of you.”(Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET)

7 / 21

Best Female R&B Artist – Beyoncé - Beyoncé capped off an amazing 12 months — which saw her drop an acclaimed, chart-topping new album, 4, and become a new mother — by winning Best Female R&B Artist. "I fell in love with music by listening to R&B; it’s the core of who I am," a glowing Beyoncé said before dedicating her award to Whitney Houston. "I want to thank BET for giving R&B a home."(Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET)

8 / 21

Best Female Hip Hop Artist – Nicki Minaj - In the wake of her chart-topping sophomore album, Pink Friday: Roman Reladed, Nicki Minaj was a no-brainer for Best Female Hip Hop Artist. "This is the third year in a row, and I don’t take it for granted," Nicki said. "I really, really appreciate BET for keeping this category alive, and I appreciate all the female rappers doing their thing, past, present and future."(Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images For BET)

9 / 21

Video Director of the Year – Beyoncé & Alan Ferguson - Beyoncé and Alan Ferguson outshined legendary lensmen, including Hype Williams and Benny Boom, to win Video Director of the Year for the vivid, infectiously fun video for "Party." "I first of all want to thank Alan," Bey said. "Thanks for teaching me and my team so much about directing. It was such a great opportunity.""I'd like to thank Beyoncé for being such a great collaborator," Alan said, returning the love. "She's amazing to work with — so creative. We had such fun doing these videos and I hope we can do it many more times again."(Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET)

10 / 21

Coca-Cola Viewers' Choice – Mindless Behavior, "Hello" - Mindless Behavior pulled off an upset victory over Beyoncé, The Throne, Chris Brown, Tyga and Lil Wayne by garnering the most votes for the Coca-Cola Viewers' Choice Award for their hit "Hello." "I've always been a misfit," Princeton said. "Be yourself and be proud.""I thought it was going to be Chris Brown!" Roc Royal said with a laugh.(Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET)

11 / 21

Video of the Year – The Throne (Jay-Z and Kanye West), "Otis" - The Throne, Kanye West and Jay-Z, lived up to their name by ruling over the BET Awards with a win for Video of the Year. "I'm just happy to be here; I'm glad to support the culture," Jay said, handing off the mic to his partner."Thank you for allowing us all to push the envelopes," Kanye added (after Jay gave him a taste of his own medicine by jokingly interrupting him). "We put in a lot of work, a lot of hours, a lot of sleepless nights. We don't take it lightly. We don't take for granted the opportunity that y’all giving to us."(Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET)

Photo By Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET

12 / 21

AOL Fandemonium Award – Chris Brown - With the help of his devoted Team Breezy fanbase, Chris Brown closed out the night by winning the AOL Fandemonium Award.

13 / 21

Best Actress – Viola Davis - Viola Davis may have lost out on an Oscar despite her incredible performance in the hit film The Help, but she had a big win for Best Actress here at the BET Awards.(Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)

Photo By Charley Gallay/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards

14 / 21

YoungStars Award – Diggy - 17-year-old Diggy Simmons won the YoungStars award after carrying on the family tradition with his debut album, Unexpected Arrival.(Photo: John Ricard/BET)

15 / 21

Best Movie – The Help - With acclaimed performances from Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer, The Help, a revealing look at race relations in the Deep South in the early ’60s, was a worthy winner for Best Movie. (Photo: Courtesy DreamWorks)

16 / 21

Subway Sportswoman of the Year – Serena Williams - Overcoming a foot injury and a pulmonary embolism to win the Rogers Cup and make it to U.S. Open Finals, Serena Williams is what the Subway Sportswoman of the Year Award is all about. (Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images)

17 / 21

Subway Sportsman of the Year – Kevin Durant - Kevin Durant won his Subway Sportsman of the Year Award by leading an upstart Oklahoma City Thunder team all the way to the NBA finals, and doing it with class.  (Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

18 / 21

Best International Act: U.K. – Wretch 32 - Acclaimed London rapper Wretch 32 took one home for the Queen with his win in the Best International Act: U.K. category. (Photo: Courtesy Ministry of Sound)

Photo By Photo: Courtesy Ministry of Sound

19 / 21

Centric Award – Common - With his acclaimed ninth album The Dreamer/The Believer, Chicago legend Common was the well-deserved winner of the Centric Award. "This is incredible," he said, accepting his trophy during the BET Awards Pre-Show. "This means something to me, and hopefully my music means something to you all."(Photo: Earl Gibson III/Getty Images For BET)

20 / 21

Best International Act: Africa – Sarkodie (Ghana) and Wizkid (Nigeria) (tie) - With the vote tally too close to call, Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie, signed to Akon’s Konvict label, and Nigerian MC Wizkid both took home the hardware for Best International Act: Africa. (Photo: Courtesy Duncwills Entertainment/Konvict Music; Empire Mates Entertainment)

21 / 21

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist – Drake - Sophomore slump? Don’t tell that to Drake. In the wake of his second straight No. 1, Take Care, the Toronto MC-singer took home the hardware for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist. (Photo: Courtesy Young Money Entertainment)