Yo-Yo is a Grammy nominated American hardcore rapper and actress. Much of her music has advocated female empowerment, denouncing the frequent sexism found in rap music. Yo-Yo dubbed her rap crew the IBWC, which stood for the Intelligent Black Woman's Coalition.

TRIPLE THREAT OSCAR AWARD-WINNING ACTOR, CHART-TOPPING SONGSTER AND COMEDIAN JAMIE FOXX TAPPED TO HOST THE BET AWARDS 09

PHENOMENAL PERFORMANCES BY NE-YO AND MAXWELL
ALONG WITH MANY MORE AT THE NINTH ANNUAL SHOW PREMIERING LIVE SUNDAY, JUNE 28

Legendary Soul Singers the OJays Will Be the Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award

NEW YORK May 12, 2009 BET Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), today announced that Academy Award-winning actor and GRAMMY Awards®-nominated R&B artist Jamie Foxx has been selected to grace the stage as the host of the BET AWARDS 09. As the #1 rated awards show among African American viewers, the ninth annual BET Awards will not disappoint as the brightest stars in music, sports and entertainment reunite in Los Angeles historic Shrine Auditorium for a night of exhilarating LIVE performances on Sunday, June 28. This year viewers will be wowed with show-stopping performances by Maxwell and Ne-Yo, with more performers to be named shortly. Moreover, BET will celebrate the musical legacy and contributions of the soul trio, the OJays who will be presented with this years Lifetime Achievement Award.

This years host, Jamie Foxx is no stranger to the limelight—or to BET—as his latest single Blame It tops several of the Billboard charts and his current platinum-selling album, Intuition, debuted at number three on the Top 100 chart. The triple-threat has also scored several awards and nominations throughout his acting career including an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the epic film Ray. After the second week of release, Foxxs sophomore album, Unpredictable, jumped to number one on the Top 200 chart and earned Foxx the distinguished honor of joining the ranks of legendary actors Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Barbra Streisand as the fourth Academy Award winner to also have a number one album in the US.

For the past eight years, the BET AWARDS has not disappointed as fans watched outstanding moments such as last years surprise tribute performance to Al Green by Maxwell and the reuniting of legendary R&B groups TLC, along with the special performance by Alicia Keys




and En Vogue; Michael Jacksons surprise appearance during James Browns tribute; Rick James in his final duet with Teena Marie; Will Smith presenting Muhammad Ali with the first-ever Humanitarian Award; Prince onstage backing Chaka Khan; Stevie Wonder, Yolanda Adams and India.Arie in a powerhouse tribute to Rufus first lady of funk; Destinys Childs steamy lap dance; and the unforgettable reunion of one of hip hops most beloved trios, The Fugees.

BET has once again teamed with Cossette Productions, the famed producers of the GRAMMY Awards® and the eight record-setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle production of the telecast. Stephen Hill, President, Music Programming and Specials, BET Networks, along with Lynn Harris-Taylor, Vice President of Specials, BET Networks, will executive produce the telecast.

On Camera - Erica O' Young

www.blacktree.tv

M3rDa5yJsvY

Chris Spencer is an African-American actor, comedian, writer and producer. He was the first host of the syndicated late night talk show VIBE. He has gone on to star in several film projects such as The Sixth Man, Significant Others and Postal. Chris is also one of the most sought after writers having done projects with Wayans family, Jamie Foxx and was significant in helping Nick Cannon create MTV's Wild 'N Out. Chris Spencer also travels the country as a standup comedian and has performed on The Chris Rock Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live and HBO's Def Comedy Jam.

TRIPLE THREAT OSCAR AWARD-WINNING ACTOR, CHART-TOPPING SONGSTER AND COMEDIAN JAMIE FOXX TAPPED TO HOST THE BET AWARDS 09

PHENOMENAL PERFORMANCES BY NE-YO AND MAXWELL
ALONG WITH MANY MORE AT THE NINTH ANNUAL SHOW PREMIERING LIVE SUNDAY, JUNE 28

Legendary Soul Singers the OJays Will Be the Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award

NEW YORK May 12, 2009 BET Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), today announced that Academy Award-winning actor and GRAMMY Awards®-nominated R&B artist Jamie Foxx has been selected to grace the stage as the host of the BET AWARDS 09. As the #1 rated awards show among African American viewers, the ninth annual BET Awards will not disappoint as the brightest stars in music, sports and entertainment reunite in Los Angeles historic Shrine Auditorium for a night of exhilarating LIVE performances on Sunday, June 28. This year viewers will be wowed with show-stopping performances by Maxwell and Ne-Yo, with more performers to be named shortly. Moreover, BET will celebrate the musical legacy and contributions of the soul trio, the OJays who will be presented with this years Lifetime Achievement Award.

This years host, Jamie Foxx is no stranger to the limelight—or to BET—as his latest single Blame It tops several of the Billboard charts and his current platinum-selling album, Intuition, debuted at number three on the Top 100 chart. The triple-threat has also scored several awards and nominations throughout his acting career including an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the epic film Ray. After the second week of release, Foxxs sophomore album, Unpredictable, jumped to number one on the Top 200 chart and earned Foxx the distinguished honor of joining the ranks of legendary actors Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Barbra Streisand as the fourth Academy Award winner to also have a number one album in the US.

For the past eight years, the BET AWARDS has not disappointed as fans watched outstanding moments such as last years surprise tribute performance to Al Green by Maxwell and the reuniting of legendary R&B groups TLC, along with the special performance by Alicia Keys




and En Vogue; Michael Jacksons surprise appearance during James Browns tribute; Rick James in his final duet with Teena Marie; Will Smith presenting Muhammad Ali with the first-ever Humanitarian Award; Prince onstage backing Chaka Khan; Stevie Wonder, Yolanda Adams and India.Arie in a powerhouse tribute to Rufus first lady of funk; Destinys Childs steamy lap dance; and the unforgettable reunion of one of hip hops most beloved trios, The Fugees.

BET has once again teamed with Cossette Productions, the famed producers of the GRAMMY Awards® and the eight record-setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle production of the telecast. Stephen Hill, President, Music Programming and Specials, BET Networks, along with Lynn Harris-Taylor, Vice President of Specials, BET Networks, will executive produce the telecast.

On Camera - Erica O' Young

www.blacktree.tv

mFJv1bObY8Q

The 2009 BET AWARDS PRE-SHOW KICKOFF, with the cast of the hit CW television series, The Game, some of todays leading musicians, actors, athletes and celebrity personalities kick off the 2009 BET Awards ceremony with a pre-event.

The event is in honor of the cast of The Game for excellence in television and celebrity host, Drew Sidora, who recently signed a deal with Slip-N-Slide records.

The 2009 BET AWARDS PRE-SHOW KICKOFF is being held by BET, Slip-N-Slide Records, Apple Restaurant & Lounge and ASA Public Relations.

A BlackTree Media Production

Produced by Jamaal Finkley and Anthony Idem Jr.

Host: Kash Howard

Camera and Edit: Yev S.

beDSBSpcw7E

An event like this is something that is beyond big in Hip Hop. Jay-Z and Eminem graced the same stage in a once in a lifetime performance.

Guitar Hero will drop the needle this fall on DJ Hero™, one of the most anticipated new video games of 2009, inviting brand new audiences to music gaming with a fresh experience and legendary artists such as the Black Eyed Peas, 50 Cent, Justice, Marvin Gaye, Beck, Beastie Boys and N.E.R.D. DJ Hero features more than 100 individual songs transformed into more than 80 exclusive, original mixes by superstar DJs including DJ Shadow, DJ Z-Trip, DJ AM and Cut Chemist, some of the most influential DJs/producers in the world. With an innovative, new turntable controller and fun, social gameplay, DJ Hero serves the millions of dance club music fans who can now play along to hit songs from a range of genres including hip-hop, R&B, pop, rock and electronica allowing them to rule the party with original mixes.

DJ Hero brings turntables and DJ culture to the masses in an accessible and fun format allowing players to not only experience, but to hear, music in an all-new way, said Dan Rosensweig, president and chief executive officer of Guitar Hero.

Joining the internationally acclaimed DJ, producer and recording artist DJ Shadow, who has been consulting and contributed several mixes for DJ Hero, and making their video game debuts, DJ Z-Trip, a founder of the mashup movement whos known worldwide for his sold out shows and eclectic style, and DJ AM, one of the worlds premier and most in-demand DJs today, appear as in-game characters and have each created multiple exclusive mixes for DJ Hero. Additionally, founding member of both the rap group Jurassic Five and the Grammy award winning Latin funk outfit, Ozomatli, Cut Chemist will debut an exclusive mix in the game.

In DJ Hero, faces in the crowd are transformed into the life of the party as the games turntable controller created exclusively for DJ Hero and featuring familiar DJ tools including a fully-rotating turntable, sample buttons, effects dial and cross fader immerses fans into the authenticity of DJ culture and a sea of music. By utilizing and mastering various DJ techniques including scratching, blending, cross fading and sampling, while leaving room for creative expression with a variety of effects and player chosen samples and scratches, gamers will rule the party performing music as only a DJ can. Social expression is heightened with euphoric multiplayer gameplay where two DJs can battle competitively or have a player join in to emcee over any track in the game with a mic. Additionally, gamers can rock together as DJ Hero features DJ-guitar exclusive mixes played with a turntable controller and Guitar Hero guitar controller.

DJ Hero is being developed by FreeStyleGames for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems and the Wii™ system from Nintendo. The game is not yet rated by the ESRB. For more information about DJ Hero, please visit djhero.com.

A BlackTree Media Production

Produced by Jamaal Finkley and Anthony Idem Jr.

Host: Erica O'Young

Camera: Nick Pooley

Edited by Yev S.

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Elise Neal is an American film and television actress. Neal has demonstrated her versatility in roles from Hustle and Flow to the cult horror classic Scream 2. She has worked with such acclaimed directors/producers such as John Singleton, Brian DePalma, Steven Spielberg and Craig Brewer.
TRIPLE THREAT OSCAR AWARD-WINNING ACTOR, CHART-TOPPING SONGSTER AND COMEDIAN JAMIE FOXX TAPPED TO HOST THE BET AWARDS 09

PHENOMENAL PERFORMANCES BY NE-YO AND MAXWELL
ALONG WITH MANY MORE AT THE NINTH ANNUAL SHOW PREMIERING LIVE SUNDAY, JUNE 28

Legendary Soul Singers the OJays Will Be the Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award

NEW YORK May 12, 2009 BET Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), today announced that Academy Award-winning actor and GRAMMY Awards®-nominated R&B artist Jamie Foxx has been selected to grace the stage as the host of the BET AWARDS 09. As the #1 rated awards show among African American viewers, the ninth annual BET Awards will not disappoint as the brightest stars in music, sports and entertainment reunite in Los Angeles historic Shrine Auditorium for a night of exhilarating LIVE performances on Sunday, June 28. This year viewers will be wowed with show-stopping performances by Maxwell and Ne-Yo, with more performers to be named shortly. Moreover, BET will celebrate the musical legacy and contributions of the soul trio, the OJays who will be presented with this years Lifetime Achievement Award.

This years host, Jamie Foxx is no stranger to the limelight—or to BET—as his latest single Blame It tops several of the Billboard charts and his current platinum-selling album, Intuition, debuted at number three on the Top 100 chart. The triple-threat has also scored several awards and nominations throughout his acting career including an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the epic film Ray. After the second week of release, Foxxs sophomore album, Unpredictable, jumped to number one on the Top 200 chart and earned Foxx the distinguished honor of joining the ranks of legendary actors Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Barbra Streisand as the fourth Academy Award winner to also have a number one album in the US.

For the past eight years, the BET AWARDS has not disappointed as fans watched outstanding moments such as last years surprise tribute performance to Al Green by Maxwell and the reuniting of legendary R&B groups TLC, along with the special performance by Alicia Keys




and En Vogue; Michael Jacksons surprise appearance during James Browns tribute; Rick James in his final duet with Teena Marie; Will Smith presenting Muhammad Ali with the first-ever Humanitarian Award; Prince onstage backing Chaka Khan; Stevie Wonder, Yolanda Adams and India.Arie in a powerhouse tribute to Rufus first lady of funk; Destinys Childs steamy lap dance; and the unforgettable reunion of one of hip hops most beloved trios, The Fugees.

BET has once again teamed with Cossette Productions, the famed producers of the GRAMMY Awards® and the eight record-setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle production of the telecast. Stephen Hill, President, Music Programming and Specials, BET Networks, along with Lynn Harris-Taylor, Vice President of Specials, BET Networks, will executive produce the telecast.

On Camera - Erica O' Young

www.blacktree.tv

P0qx2xqZkwk

Three 6 Mafia is an Academy Award-winning American rap group originating from Memphis, Tennessee. Formed in 1991 by DJ Paul, Lord Infamous, and Juicy J, they shortly thereafter recruited fellow Memphian rappers Koopsta Knicca, Gangsta Boo, and Crunchy Black. The group also frequently collaborates with Project Pat. Their 2005 song, "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp", won Best Original Song at the 78th Academy Awards. TRIPLE THREAT OSCAR AWARD-WINNING ACTOR, CHART-TOPPING SONGSTER AND COMEDIAN JAMIE FOXX TAPPED TO HOST THE BET AWARDS 09

PHENOMENAL PERFORMANCES BY NE-YO AND MAXWELL
ALONG WITH MANY MORE AT THE NINTH ANNUAL SHOW PREMIERING LIVE SUNDAY, JUNE 28

Legendary Soul Singers the OJays Will Be the Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award

NEW YORK May 12, 2009 BET Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), today announced that Academy Award-winning actor and GRAMMY Awards®-nominated R&B artist Jamie Foxx has been selected to grace the stage as the host of the BET AWARDS 09. As the #1 rated awards show among African American viewers, the ninth annual BET Awards will not disappoint as the brightest stars in music, sports and entertainment reunite in Los Angeles historic Shrine Auditorium for a night of exhilarating LIVE performances on Sunday, June 28. This year viewers will be wowed with show-stopping performances by Maxwell and Ne-Yo, with more performers to be named shortly. Moreover, BET will celebrate the musical legacy and contributions of the soul trio, the OJays who will be presented with this years Lifetime Achievement Award.

This years host, Jamie Foxx is no stranger to the limelight—or to BET—as his latest single Blame It tops several of the Billboard charts and his current platinum-selling album, Intuition, debuted at number three on the Top 100 chart. The triple-threat has also scored several awards and nominations throughout his acting career including an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the epic film Ray. After the second week of release, Foxxs sophomore album, Unpredictable, jumped to number one on the Top 200 chart and earned Foxx the distinguished honor of joining the ranks of legendary actors Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Barbra Streisand as the fourth Academy Award winner to also have a number one album in the US.

For the past eight years, the BET AWARDS has not disappointed as fans watched outstanding moments such as last years surprise tribute performance to Al Green by Maxwell and the reuniting of legendary R&B groups TLC, along with the special performance by Alicia Keys




and En Vogue; Michael Jacksons surprise appearance during James Browns tribute; Rick James in his final duet with Teena Marie; Will Smith presenting Muhammad Ali with the first-ever Humanitarian Award; Prince onstage backing Chaka Khan; Stevie Wonder, Yolanda Adams and India.Arie in a powerhouse tribute to Rufus first lady of funk; Destinys Childs steamy lap dance; and the unforgettable reunion of one of hip hops most beloved trios, The Fugees.

BET has once again teamed with Cossette Productions, the famed producers of the GRAMMY Awards® and the eight record-setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle production of the telecast. Stephen Hill, President, Music Programming and Specials, BET Networks, along with Lynn Harris-Taylor, Vice President of Specials, BET Networks, will executive produce the telecast.

On Camera - Erica O' Young

www.blacktree.tv

a7GjV_cZia4

Big Tigger an American television and radio personality best known as the host of BET's Rap City and 106 & Park.
Contents.
TRIPLE THREAT OSCAR AWARD-WINNING ACTOR, CHART-TOPPING SONGSTER AND COMEDIAN JAMIE FOXX TAPPED TO HOST THE BET AWARDS 09

PHENOMENAL PERFORMANCES BY NE-YO AND MAXWELL
ALONG WITH MANY MORE AT THE NINTH ANNUAL SHOW PREMIERING LIVE SUNDAY, JUNE 28

Legendary Soul Singers the OJays Will Be the Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award

NEW YORK May 12, 2009 BET Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), today announced that Academy Award-winning actor and GRAMMY Awards®-nominated R&B artist Jamie Foxx has been selected to grace the stage as the host of the BET AWARDS 09. As the #1 rated awards show among African American viewers, the ninth annual BET Awards will not disappoint as the brightest stars in music, sports and entertainment reunite in Los Angeles historic Shrine Auditorium for a night of exhilarating LIVE performances on Sunday, June 28. This year viewers will be wowed with show-stopping performances by Maxwell and Ne-Yo, with more performers to be named shortly. Moreover, BET will celebrate the musical legacy and contributions of the soul trio, the OJays who will be presented with this years Lifetime Achievement Award.

This years host, Jamie Foxx is no stranger to the limelight—or to BET—as his latest single Blame It tops several of the Billboard charts and his current platinum-selling album, Intuition, debuted at number three on the Top 100 chart. The triple-threat has also scored several awards and nominations throughout his acting career including an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the epic film Ray. After the second week of release, Foxxs sophomore album, Unpredictable, jumped to number one on the Top 200 chart and earned Foxx the distinguished honor of joining the ranks of legendary actors Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Barbra Streisand as the fourth Academy Award winner to also have a number one album in the US.

For the past eight years, the BET AWARDS has not disappointed as fans watched outstanding moments such as last years surprise tribute performance to Al Green by Maxwell and the reuniting of legendary R&B groups TLC, along with the special performance by Alicia Keys




and En Vogue; Michael Jacksons surprise appearance during James Browns tribute; Rick James in his final duet with Teena Marie; Will Smith presenting Muhammad Ali with the first-ever Humanitarian Award; Prince onstage backing Chaka Khan; Stevie Wonder, Yolanda Adams and India.Arie in a powerhouse tribute to Rufus first lady of funk; Destinys Childs steamy lap dance; and the unforgettable reunion of one of hip hops most beloved trios, The Fugees.

BET has once again teamed with Cossette Productions, the famed producers of the GRAMMY Awards® and the eight record-setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle production of the telecast. Stephen Hill, President, Music Programming and Specials, BET Networks, along with Lynn Harris-Taylor, Vice President of Specials, BET Networks, will executive produce the telecast.

On Camera - Erica O' Young

www.blacktree.tv

lIeck0DV_VY

Ralph Farquhar made a name for himself creating hit television programs like "Moesha" and "The Proud Family," but he got his start on a much different show - "Happy Days." TRIPLE THREAT OSCAR AWARD-WINNING ACTOR, CHART-TOPPING SONGSTER AND COMEDIAN JAMIE FOXX TAPPED TO HOST THE BET AWARDS 09

PHENOMENAL PERFORMANCES BY NE-YO AND MAXWELL
ALONG WITH MANY MORE AT THE NINTH ANNUAL SHOW PREMIERING LIVE SUNDAY, JUNE 28

Legendary Soul Singers the OJays Will Be the Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award

NEW YORK May 12, 2009 BET Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), today announced that Academy Award-winning actor and GRAMMY Awards®-nominated R&B artist Jamie Foxx has been selected to grace the stage as the host of the BET AWARDS 09. As the #1 rated awards show among African American viewers, the ninth annual BET Awards will not disappoint as the brightest stars in music, sports and entertainment reunite in Los Angeles historic Shrine Auditorium for a night of exhilarating LIVE performances on Sunday, June 28. This year viewers will be wowed with show-stopping performances by Maxwell and Ne-Yo, with more performers to be named shortly. Moreover, BET will celebrate the musical legacy and contributions of the soul trio, the OJays who will be presented with this years Lifetime Achievement Award.

This years host, Jamie Foxx is no stranger to the limelight—or to BET—as his latest single Blame It tops several of the Billboard charts and his current platinum-selling album, Intuition, debuted at number three on the Top 100 chart. The triple-threat has also scored several awards and nominations throughout his acting career including an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the epic film Ray. After the second week of release, Foxxs sophomore album, Unpredictable, jumped to number one on the Top 200 chart and earned Foxx the distinguished honor of joining the ranks of legendary actors Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Barbra Streisand as the fourth Academy Award winner to also have a number one album in the US.

For the past eight years, the BET AWARDS has not disappointed as fans watched outstanding moments such as last years surprise tribute performance to Al Green by Maxwell and the reuniting of legendary R&B groups TLC, along with the special performance by Alicia Keys




and En Vogue; Michael Jacksons surprise appearance during James Browns tribute; Rick James in his final duet with Teena Marie; Will Smith presenting Muhammad Ali with the first-ever Humanitarian Award; Prince onstage backing Chaka Khan; Stevie Wonder, Yolanda Adams and India.Arie in a powerhouse tribute to Rufus first lady of funk; Destinys Childs steamy lap dance; and the unforgettable reunion of one of hip hops most beloved trios, The Fugees.

BET has once again teamed with Cossette Productions, the famed producers of the GRAMMY Awards® and the eight record-setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle production of the telecast. Stephen Hill, President, Music Programming and Specials, BET Networks, along with Lynn Harris-Taylor, Vice President of Specials, BET Networks, will executive produce the telecast.

On Camera - Erica O' Young

www.blacktree.tv

IMlZ4iEvb2o

In 1974, the most celebrated American R&B acts of the time came together with the
most renowned musical groups in Africa for a 12-hour, three-night long concert held in
Kinshasa, Zaire. The dream-child of Hugh Masekela and Stewart Levine, this music
festival became a reality when they convinced boxing promoter Don King to combine
the event with The Rumble in the Jungle, the epic fight between Muhammad Ali and
George Foreman, previously chronicled in the Academy Award-winning documentary
WHEN WE WERE KINGS.

SOUL POWER is a verité documentary about this legendary music festival (dubbed
Zaire 74), and it depicts the experiences and performances of such musical
luminaries as James Brown, BB King, Bill Withers, Celia Cruz, among a host of others.
At the peak of their talents and the height of their careers, these artists were inspired by
this return to their African roots, as well as the enthusiasm of the Zairian audience, to
give the performances of their lives. The concert has achieved mythological
significance as the definitive Africa(n)-American musical event of the 20th Century.

SOUL POWER is crafted from the extensive outtakes that remained after making
WHEN WE WERE KINGS, which documented the epic title fight, but relegated the
music festival to a small, supporting role. The outtakes have remained vaulted for the
past 34 years, until now. The film was ultimately edited down from over 125 hours
worth of footage. Lensed primarily by celebrated cinematographers Albert Maysles,
Paul Goldsmith, Kevin Keating and Roderick Young, SOUL POWER finally provides
todays audience the opportunity to experience this historic musical event in all of its
magnificent, filmed glory.

http://www.blacktree.tv

fvYOjncIOQQ

Blacktree TV at the 2009 ASCAP Awards

Edited by Yev S.

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Joe Lewis Thomas usually credited simply as Joe, is a seven-time Grammy Award-nominated American R&B singer and record producer. TRIPLE THREAT OSCAR AWARD-WINNING ACTOR, CHART-TOPPING SONGSTER AND COMEDIAN JAMIE FOXX TAPPED TO HOST THE BET AWARDS 09

PHENOMENAL PERFORMANCES BY NE-YO AND MAXWELL
ALONG WITH MANY MORE AT THE NINTH ANNUAL SHOW PREMIERING LIVE SUNDAY, JUNE 28

Legendary Soul Singers the OJays Will Be the Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award

NEW YORK May 12, 2009 BET Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), today announced that Academy Award-winning actor and GRAMMY Awards®-nominated R&B artist Jamie Foxx has been selected to grace the stage as the host of the BET AWARDS 09. As the #1 rated awards show among African American viewers, the ninth annual BET Awards will not disappoint as the brightest stars in music, sports and entertainment reunite in Los Angeles historic Shrine Auditorium for a night of exhilarating LIVE performances on Sunday, June 28. This year viewers will be wowed with show-stopping performances by Maxwell and Ne-Yo, with more performers to be named shortly. Moreover, BET will celebrate the musical legacy and contributions of the soul trio, the OJays who will be presented with this years Lifetime Achievement Award.

This years host, Jamie Foxx is no stranger to the limelight—or to BET—as his latest single Blame It tops several of the Billboard charts and his current platinum-selling album, Intuition, debuted at number three on the Top 100 chart. The triple-threat has also scored several awards and nominations throughout his acting career including an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the epic film Ray. After the second week of release, Foxxs sophomore album, Unpredictable, jumped to number one on the Top 200 chart and earned Foxx the distinguished honor of joining the ranks of legendary actors Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Barbra Streisand as the fourth Academy Award winner to also have a number one album in the US.

For the past eight years, the BET AWARDS has not disappointed as fans watched outstanding moments such as last years surprise tribute performance to Al Green by Maxwell and the reuniting of legendary R&B groups TLC, along with the special performance by Alicia Keys




and En Vogue; Michael Jacksons surprise appearance during James Browns tribute; Rick James in his final duet with Teena Marie; Will Smith presenting Muhammad Ali with the first-ever Humanitarian Award; Prince onstage backing Chaka Khan; Stevie Wonder, Yolanda Adams and India.Arie in a powerhouse tribute to Rufus first lady of funk; Destinys Childs steamy lap dance; and the unforgettable reunion of one of hip hops most beloved trios, The Fugees.

BET has once again teamed with Cossette Productions, the famed producers of the GRAMMY Awards® and the eight record-setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle production of the telecast. Stephen Hill, President, Music Programming and Specials, BET Networks, along with Lynn Harris-Taylor, Vice President of Specials, BET Networks, will executive produce the telecast.

On Camera - Erica O' Young

www.blacktree.tv

vgt2l7yBe2g

Lance Gross is a NAACP Image Award-winning American actor currently portraying Calvin Payne in the TBS sitcom Tyler Perry's House of Payne, and other Tyler Perry productions such as the Meet The Browns film. He has also been on The Bernie Mac Show as well as Eve. TRIPLE THREAT OSCAR AWARD-WINNING ACTOR, CHART-TOPPING SONGSTER AND COMEDIAN JAMIE FOXX TAPPED TO HOST THE BET AWARDS 09

PHENOMENAL PERFORMANCES BY NE-YO AND MAXWELL
ALONG WITH MANY MORE AT THE NINTH ANNUAL SHOW PREMIERING LIVE SUNDAY, JUNE 28

Legendary Soul Singers the OJays Will Be the Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award

NEW YORK May 12, 2009 BET Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), today announced that Academy Award-winning actor and GRAMMY Awards®-nominated R&B artist Jamie Foxx has been selected to grace the stage as the host of the BET AWARDS 09. As the #1 rated awards show among African American viewers, the ninth annual BET Awards will not disappoint as the brightest stars in music, sports and entertainment reunite in Los Angeles historic Shrine Auditorium for a night of exhilarating LIVE performances on Sunday, June 28. This year viewers will be wowed with show-stopping performances by Maxwell and Ne-Yo, with more performers to be named shortly. Moreover, BET will celebrate the musical legacy and contributions of the soul trio, the OJays who will be presented with this years Lifetime Achievement Award.

This years host, Jamie Foxx is no stranger to the limelight—or to BET—as his latest single Blame It tops several of the Billboard charts and his current platinum-selling album, Intuition, debuted at number three on the Top 100 chart. The triple-threat has also scored several awards and nominations throughout his acting career including an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the epic film Ray. After the second week of release, Foxxs sophomore album, Unpredictable, jumped to number one on the Top 200 chart and earned Foxx the distinguished honor of joining the ranks of legendary actors Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Barbra Streisand as the fourth Academy Award winner to also have a number one album in the US.

For the past eight years, the BET AWARDS has not disappointed as fans watched outstanding moments such as last years surprise tribute performance to Al Green by Maxwell and the reuniting of legendary R&B groups TLC, along with the special performance by Alicia Keys




and En Vogue; Michael Jacksons surprise appearance during James Browns tribute; Rick James in his final duet with Teena Marie; Will Smith presenting Muhammad Ali with the first-ever Humanitarian Award; Prince onstage backing Chaka Khan; Stevie Wonder, Yolanda Adams and India.Arie in a powerhouse tribute to Rufus first lady of funk; Destinys Childs steamy lap dance; and the unforgettable reunion of one of hip hops most beloved trios, The Fugees.

BET has once again teamed with Cossette Productions, the famed producers of the GRAMMY Awards® and the eight record-setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle production of the telecast. Stephen Hill, President, Music Programming and Specials, BET Networks, along with Lynn Harris-Taylor, Vice President of Specials, BET Networks, will executive produce the telecast.

On Camera - Erica O' Young

www.blacktree.tv

SQdkT0CJocQ