BET Awards Salute Michael Jackson With Heartfelt Tributes

Jamie Foxx, Ne-Yo, Beyonce, more salute MJ; Janet Jackson gives moving speech. By Eric Ditzian Jamie Foxx and Ne-Yo perform on the 2009 BET Awards Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images With Michael Jackson's death occurring just three days before the BET Awards, the show's organizers quickly overhauled it to become a tribute to the singer. And from covers of the singer's hit songs to clips from his iconic music videos to poignant tributes from leading artists, the ninth annual BET Awards became a full-blown celebration of the life and music of the King of Pop. The nearly four-hour show kicked off with New Edition performing a medley of Jackson 5 hits like "ABC" and "The Love You Save" that garnered a standing ovation from the packed auditorium. Then host Jamie Foxx came on stage dressed in Jackson's iconic red leather jacket and single sparkling glove for an abbreviated performance of the singer's classic Thriller single, "Beat It." "No need to be sad," Foxx ... (link)