GALLERY: Pharrell, Minaj lead BET award winners

R&B star Pharrell, rapper Nicki Minaj and newcomer August Alsina led the winners at the Black Entertainment Television (BET) awards on Sunday, which also honored veteran soul singer Lionel Richie.

Pharrell kicked off the show with "Come Get It Bae" and won two awards, including best male R&B/pop artist. Beyonce was named best female R&B/pop singer, and closed the show with a sultry performance of "Partition" with husband Jay Z. The couple also won best collaboration for "Drunk In Love."

Pharrell Williams performs "Come Get It Babe" during the 2014 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California June 29, 2014. Photo: Reuters

Richie, 65, receiv​ed the lifetime achievement award for his prolific career as part of Motown group The Commodores and as a solo artist.

"Soul is a feeling, not a color. Talent is a god given gift and not a category, and out of the box is the magical place where true talent goes to thrive and breathe," Richie said as he accepted the award.

Lionel Richie performs after accepting the lifetime achievement award during the 2014 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California June 29, 2014. Photo: Reuters

John Legend, Ledisi and Yolanda performed Richie's classic love songs "Hello", "Still" and The Commodores' "Brick House" and "Jesus is Love". Richie sang "Easy" and "All Night Long".

The BET awards, held in Los Angeles, celebrates black musicians, actors and athletes. It is hosted by cable TV network Black Entertainment Television, part of Viacom Inc.

New Orleans singer Alsina was named best new artist and Lil Wayne's rap collective Young Money scored best group.

Drake won best male hip hop artist, but was not available to collect his award. Minaj was named best female hip hop artist and threw a little dig at other rappers by saying: "When you hear Nicki Minaj spit, Nicki Minaj wrote it."

August Alsina accepts the viewers choice award during the 2014 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California June 29, 2014. Photo: Reuters

Nicki Minaj accepts the award for best female hip hop artist during the 2014 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California June 29, 2014. Photo: Reuters

Comedian Chris Rock hosted the show, throwing jokes and jibes and handing out chicken and waffles to the audience. The almost four-hour ceremony toplined high-profile performances from some of the music world's biggest names.

Usher referenced his 20-year career with a medley of his hits, Minaj performed "Pills N' Potions" on a stage with giant psychedelic mushrooms and R&B star Chris Brown joined Lil Wayne to perform "Loyal".

Australian newcomer Iggy Azalea joined rapper T.I. to perform "No Mediocre" and her hit single "Fancy". The show also served up 1990s nostalgia with R&B groups Troop, Color Me Badd and Silk singing a medley of classic hits.

Oscar-winning historical drama "12 Years A Slave" swept the film categories with Oscar-winning newcomer Lupita Nyong'o named best actress and Chiwetel Ejiofor named best actor. Neither were on hand to accept their awards.

Civil rights activist Myrlie Evers-Williams accepted the humanitarian award commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act signed into law in 1964.

Sportswoman and sportsman of the year went to tennis star Serena Williams and basketball player Kevin Durant respectively.

Paris Hilton arrives at the 2014 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California June 29, 2014. Photo: REUTERS

Tatyana Ali arrives at the 2014 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California June 29, 2014. Photo: Reuters

Ashanti arrives at the 2014 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California June 29, 2014. Photo: Reuters

Nadia Buari arrives at the 2014 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California June 29, 2014. Photo: Reuters

Host Chris Rock speaks during the 2014 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California June 29, 2014. Photo: Reuters

Usher performs a medley of songs during the 2014 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California June 29, 2014. Photo: Reuters

Kerry Washington and Kevin Hart present the award for video of the year to Pharrell WIlliams (not pictured) during the 2014 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California June 29, 2014. Photo: Reuters

Jennifer Hudson performs a medley of songs during the 2014 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California June 29, 2014. Photo: Reuters

Nicki Minaj performs "Pills N Potions" during the 2014 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California June 29, 2014. Photo: Reuters

Iggy Azalea (L) performs with TI during the 2014 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California June 29, 2014. Photo: Reuters

Robin Thicke performs "Forever Love" during the 2014 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California June 29, 2014. Photo: Reuters

Singer Chris Brown performs "Loyal" during the 2014 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California June 29, 2014. Photo: Reuters

John Legend performs "You and I" (Nobody in the World)" during the 2014 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California June 29, 2014. Photo: Reuters

Keke Palmer poses backstage at the 2014 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California June 29, 2014. Photo: Reuters

Tyrese Gibson poses backstage at the 2014 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California June 29, 2014. Photo: Reuters

- Reuters