Tributes to music legends – dead or living, homage to Black entertainment icons who have passed away throughout the past year, and comeback performances both from classic and more contemporary artists were witnessed by hundreds of attendees at the BET Awards last night, June 27, held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Academy Award nominee Queen Latifah hosted the event, lashing out her own brand of stand-up comedy to celebrity show-ups and award winners like Drake, where she sampled a line from one of the rapper’s tracks. But the night would be mostly remembered for Chris Brown’s self-redeeming tribute to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, who passed away a little over a year from today.

Brown was in complete MJ fashion – fingers were bandaged, fashioning skinny high wasted pants and a pair of glittery gloves – coupled with the King’s dance moves best remembered from the videos of “Billie Jean” and “Remember the Time”, which the young artist performed with absolute grace and snappiness, it’s as if watching Jackson on stage again.

But Brown melted down during the song “Man in the Mirror”, where the audience took over in singing the song as he could barely get his act together on stage. Perhaps he was grieving for the loss of everyone’s music hero, or he could simply relate to the song due to his almost demise in the recent past. Whatever the reason for the meltdown was, audiences found Brown endearing, and they might’ve even forgiven him for his past sins, anyway, it has been a year and he has clearly shown remorse, at least as what it seemed from his “Man in the Mirror” act.

Meanwhile, a very preggers Alicia Keys did not let the baby bump impede her tribute to the one and only Purple One, Prince. Along with Patti LaBelle and Janelle Monae, they all sang “Adore” where the soon-to-be-married Keys was seen pounding the blacks and the whites – keys, that is – while she almost straddled herself to the piano. Prince was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Pianist and R&B artist John Legend was also recognized during the awards night for his humanitarian works.

Other noteworthy performances include returning artists like Eminem who shared the stage with breakout artist B.O.B to perform “Airplanes” and Marshall Mathers’ new single “Not Afraid”. El DeBarge also performed with their classic Motown set, with “Rhythm of the Night” setting up the tempo. Kanye West, after his stage hijacking incident last year, debuted his newest single, “Power” as the night’s opening number. West performed the song while standing at the peak of a makeshift mountaintop clad in red. Fresh from serving his sentence, rapper T.I also made a comeback by performing “Takers”, along with drummer Travis Barker.

But the big winners of the night were Drake and Nicki Minaj who both took home Best Male and Female Hip-Hop Artist honors, respectively. They both share the same record label owned by Lil Wayne who is now serving his sentence. Both artists gave a shout out to their boss and delivered knockout performances, as well – Drake with Young Jeezy, and Minaj with fellow colorful rapper Lil Kim. Meanwhile, the video for “Telephone” a collaboration between Beyonce and Lady Gaga, won Video of the Year honors.

Lastly, Lena Horne, Teddy Pendergrass and Gary Coleman, who all passed away within the past year, were acknowledged for their contributions to the Black entertainment industry.

This might come as a surprise to all her fans, but Alicia Keys is pregnant to hip-hop and R&B producer and her fiancée Swiss Beatz, or Kasseem Dean in real life.

The news came out after the couple attended the Black Ball Charity event in London on Thursday night where the singer’s baby bump showed through her gown. The said event was a fund raiser for the Keep a Child Alive organization, of which the 29-year old Keys is an active benefactor.

The couple, who started dating late of last year, has scheduled the wedding on July 4 of this year, in London. The couple is planning to have a very intimate wedding, with their closest friends and families alongside the private ceremony.

Swiss Beats has been married once to hip-hop and R&B artist Mashonda. The couple has called it quits and has recently finalized their divorce. They share custody of their 3-year old son. Beatz’s baby from Keys will be the 31-year old producer’s third child as he also has a 9-year old son from a past relationship.

On Tuesday, the musical “Fela!,” produced by Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, received 11 Tony Awards nominations. “La Cage aux Folles” also received 11 nominations to tie with “Fela!” for the most nominations this year.

“Fela!,” in addition to its Best Musical nomination, also received Best Book of Musical nomination for Bill T. Jones and Jim Lewis. Sahr Ngaujah received a Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical nomination.

“Fela!” is the life story of Fela Kuti, Nigerian musician. On June 8 the original recording from the Broadway cast will be made available by Knitting Factory Records.

The musical based on an album from Green Day, “American Idiot,” also received a Best Musical nomination, as well as “Million Dollar Quartet” and “Memphis.” Best Original Score nominees are Andrew Lippa (“The Addams Family”), Lucy Prebble and Adam Cork (“Enron), Branford Marsalis (“Fences”) and Joe Di Petro and David Bryan (“Memphis”).

Best Revival of a Musical nominees are “Ragtime,” “A Little Night Music,” “La Cage aux Folles,” and “Finian’s Rainbow.”

On Tuesday morning, Lea Michele of Glee and Jeff Daniels announced the nominations. The Tony Awards show will air on June 13 on CBS from New York City’s Radio City Music Hall.

Do you have the writing chops for composing blog posts for Alicia Keys, Grammy Award winning artist? If so you might be able to get a job via job search website Monster.com, who handles most of their operations in Maynard.

Keys and Monster have forged a partnership to organize a hunt nationwide for a blogger to head up IASS.com, Keys’ new website. IASS stands for “I Am A Super Woman.”

Starting on April 6 and continuing until May 3, the position can be applied for by logging into Monster.com. More information is available there on IASS.com according to a press release from Monster.com.

Keys’ website is designed for helping to empower women. It will be focusing on social issues and topics of interest to women. A special person is wanted for the head blogger position.

Ted Gilvar, Monster.com’s marketing global chief officer, said that Monster’s precision search technology would help with matching the best candidates out of the thousands that apply.

Qualifications for this job according to a spokesman for Monster.com include writing skills, experience with social media, and an ability for representing Keys’ voice. No money will be exchanged between Keys and Monster.com for the search for head blogger.

Monsters has had partnerships with several media companies for selling help wanted advertising, including ones with Boston.com and The Boston Globe.

On Wednesday night, Alicia Keys and her Freedom Tour made a stop at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the singer’s hometown. The night was one of surprise guests, positive messages and soaring vocals. Joining Keys onstage were Swizz Beatz, Beyonce and Jay-Z. The singer performed a long list of songs, covering the past up to the present. Keys even put her dancing skills on display.

Before Keys came onto the stage, opening acts Robin Thicke, Melanie Fiona and Jermaine Paul treated fans to their soulful sounds. Jermaine Paul, a former Keys background singer, gave an enthusiastic effort and helped to rev the audience up. The momentum kept moving with Fiona and her powerful voice as well as charismatic smile as she performed the songs “Ay Yo” and “It Kills Me.”

As Robin Thicke made it to the stage, it was apparent that he was quite aware that his female fans were out in force. Decked in sunglasses and dark suit, Thicke crooned through the set, including “Lost Without U” and “Shakin’ It 4 Daddy.” Thicke kept things playful. He ended his set with “A Milli” by Lil Wayne with the audience singing along.

The lights were dimmed just after 9:30. “They Don’t Care About Us” by Michael Jackson filled Madison Square Garden. Drums from the 1996 track intensified with the main attraction of the night appearing on huge video screens before the fans.

Alicia Keys made her appearance in a cage wrapped in chains, with smoke flooding the stage. The singer started her show off with a “Love Is Blind” and “Caged Bird” medley, whipping her hair side to side as she emerged from the spinning cage out to the stage.

She asked the crowd, are you feeling good New York? The audience didn’t hesitate in their reply back. Keys, dressed in sparkling pants, tight black top and red tailed coat, used the entire stage, floating side to side along with the dancers on “You Don’t Know My Name.” She changed the vocals around on “Fallen” and continued on with “Another Way to Die,” her rocking collaboration with Jack White.

Jermaine Paul, the opening act, returned to stage when Keys sat down to the piano for the song “Diary.” Keys and Paul played vocal acrobatics together during the bridge of the song and it was obvious they have an onstage chemistry. Following a quick change of costume into a white, sleek dress Keys performed “If I Can’t Have You” and “Superwoman.” Throughout the show, the singer took several moments to explain how important it is to believe in yourself.

Following another outfit change, Keys’ “Put It in a Love Song” performance get got the fans riled up. Then Keys introduced Beyonce as she was descending from a staircase to join in with Keys on the rest of the song, with a dance breakdown ending the song. It was the first time Keys and Beyonce had performed together. Things were slowed down by Keys after the duet, as she performed “Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart” and “Unthinkable.”

With the surprise appearance of Beyonce onstage, it was quite fitting that her husband would be there as well. Keys stopped momentarily playing the piano. Then Swizz Beatz came onstage, followed soon after by Jay-Z. The city skyline and Times Square engulfed the arena with city scenes shining brightly on the audience. There’s something very moving when listening to “Empire State of Mind,” a New York city ode, when in the actual city.

Keys is a master of the piano always. However her night in New York was proof that she has the ability for putting on an outstanding show with her powerful message, strong imagery and massive vocals.

George Clooney announced that many stars, including Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake and Bono will be performing in the TV fund raising event, Hope For Haiti.

The actor said over 40 celebrities are expected to be in attendance on January 22 at Hope For Haiti.

Clooney said, the purpose for the telethon is to show Haiti’s people that the entire world is paying close attention.

Hosting the benefit will be Wyclef Jean, Haitian born singer, along with Clooney. The show will air on over a dozen US television networks.

Christina Aguilera and Sting will also be performing.

On Sunday Clooney was at the Gold Globe Awards show. Clooney received a best actor nomination for his movie, Up In The Air.

When asked if it was somewhat strange to be at an awards show when he was attempting to organize a concert for charity, Clooney said, yes except it’s an ideal place to do some recruiting. So it does work out.

Globe organizers pledged $100,000 for the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund, Wyclef Jean’s organization. Several of the guests that night also used the night as an opportunity to help raise awareness for the relief effort that is ongoing.

For a very long time Haiti’s been one of the world’s poorest countries. It’s important that to continue with helping to change that, said actor Mark Wahlberg.

All of us can use this an opportunity for reminding people to do what they can to help. Even it’s something small. Everything counts, Penelope Cruz said.

The event Hope for Haiti will be benefiting the Yele Haiti Foundation, Partners in Health, Oxfam American, UNICEF and the Red Cross.

According to Clooney the songs from artists participating in the event will be available on iTunes. Proceeds will go to the relief efforts.

It is estimated that 50,000 to 200,000 have died due to the earthquake.

Food and water finally are reaching to part of Port-au-Prince, the capital, six days following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake. However bottlenecks have slowed relief efforts.

Alicia Keys had added on some additional shows in major markets to her upcoming US area tour backing “The Element of Freedom,” her fourth studio album that was just released.

The run of North America starts in Montreal on February 28 and then winds its way over the East Coast and then heads west. Thirteen concerts at last check have been added to Keys’ itinerary. The outing currently extends into April. Tickets for select dates are on sale. Additional show on-sale information will be available soon.

There is also a European leg in the planning stages that will start in late April.

Last week the soul/R&B singer dropped her new album, “The Element of freedom. Keys was a co-producer along with a whole host of famous hit makers. The set follows “As I Am,” Keys’ triple platinum album.

“Doesn’t Mean Anything,” was the first “The Element of Freedom” single released in September to radio. “Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart,” a second single, was released in November. In addition the new album features a Keys-Beyonce collaboration “Put It In a Love Song.”

Keys earlier in the month streamed her benefit concert on her YouTube channel for Worlds Aids Day/Keep a Child Alive held at Nokia Theatre in New York.

Keys is the global ambassador and co-founder of Keep a Child Alive, which is a non-profit organization that provide anti-retroviral treatment, as well as life-saving support and care services for families and children in India and Africa who have been impacted with HIV/AIDs. More information regarding the charity can be found at keepachildalive.org, their website.

Keys, winner of 12 Grammy awards, is scheduled to be a musical guest on January 9 on the NBC show, “Saturday Night Live.”

Alicia Keys has started lining up dates for her spring arena tour that will back “The Element of Freedom,” her newly released studio set.

The tour is outlined on concert promoters Live Nation and AEG websites. It will kick off in Montreal, Canada on February 28 with nine additional March as well as early April dates to follow. On April 6 Keys will appear in Los Angeles.

Earlier this week the soul/R&B, Grammy award winning singer released her fourth album from the studio called “The Element of Freedom” Keys co-produced the new album along with several famous hit makers. The new album follows “As I Am” her triple platinum set from 2007.

In September the first single “Doesn’t Mean Anything” from the new album was released out to radio. “Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart, a second single from “The Element of Freedom,” came out in November. On the new album there is also a Beyonce collaboration entitled “Put It In a Love Song.”

Keys earlier this month sKeys treamed her benefit concert live for World AIDS Day/Keep a Child Alive on YouTube. The concert was held at Nokia Theatre in New York.

Keys co-founded Keep a Child Alive and is also their global ambassador. The non-profit organization provides anti-retrovial treatment as well support and care services for Indian and African children and families who are afflicted with HIV/AIDS. More information on the charity is available at keepachildalive.org.

Alicia Keys is one of the most recent performers that has been added to the Latin Grammy Awards 10th Annual telecast lineup. Reik, a current nominee, and Daniela Mercury, past Latin Grammy winner, are also among those recently added for the annual awards show.

The show will held on November 5 in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay Events Center. Several collaborative numbers will be featured including an Alejandro Sanz and Alicia Keys special duet.

The show will also be highlighting the entertainment landscape of Las Vegas. Members of the “Mystere” troupe of the Cirque du Soleile will be performing during a Calle 13 and Ruben Blades joint number. The “Le Reve” cast will also join Laura Pausini on stage, continuing the Las Vegas focus.

Performers that have been previously announced include Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Luis Fonsi, Shaila Durcal, Oscar D’Leon, Juan Gabriel, David Bisbal and Pepe Aguilar among others.

It has also been confirmed that several actors will be on hand to present awards at the show, including Marlene Favela, Aaron Diaz, Charytin and Eva Longoria Parker. The show is being broadcast live over the Univision Network. Other presenters include Pau Dones and Rosana, singer/songwriters from the Latin rock band Jarabe de Palo, singer/actress Dulce Maria, Alejandra Guzman, Latin Grammy award winner, and Stefania Fernandez, 2009 Miss Universe. Presenters that were previously announced include Juan Luis Gurerra, Luis Enrique, Gian Marco and Enrique Iglesias.

Singer/actress Lucero and comedian/actor Eugenio Derbez will co-host the award show’s 10th anniversary celebration.