RnB singer Chris Brown was the big winner of the 2011 BET Awards taking home four awards including best male R&B artist during the ceremony which was held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

“I know it’s been a long road. I just appreciate every blessing that’s been put in front of me,” he said in accepting the award. “All my fans are everything to me.” The talented singer also won best collaboration and video of the year for “Look at Me Now” featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes and the Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award.

Kanye West, Wiz Khalifa, Nicki Minaj, and Jaden and Willow Smith also were among the night’s winners. The night featured performances by Beyonce, Gladys Knight, Shirley Ceasar, Marsha Ambrosius and Cee-Lo Green who dressed up as Pattie LaBelle and sang her song “Somebody Loves You” as a tribute after she received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Mary J. Blige, Anita Baker; Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled and Ace Hood; Alicia Keys and Bruno Mars; Jill Scott and Trey Songz; and Donnie McClurkin, Mary Mary and Deitrick Haddon also performed on the night.

Comedian Kevin Hart hosted the awards show, which aired live on BET and will be shown on UK TV, Sky Channel 191 on Thursday 30 June 2011.

And the winners are…

Male R&B Artist: Chris Brown

Female R&B Artist: Rihanna

Male Hip-Hop Artist: Kanye West

Female Hip-Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj

Group: Diddy-Dirty Money

International Act (UK): Tinie Tempah

International Act (Africa): 2Face Idibia (Nigeria) & D’Banj (Nigeria)

Gospel: Mary Mary

Centric: Marsha Ambrosius

New Artist: Wiz Khalifa

Young Stars: Willow & Jaden Smith

Viewers’ Choice: Chris Brown

Collaboration: Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes – Look At Me Now

Video Of The Year: Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes – Look At Me Now

Video Director The Year: Chris Robinson

Actor: Idris Elba

Actress: Taraji P. Henson

Movie: For Colored Girls

Sportsman: Michael Vick

Sportswoman: Serena Williams