012 BET Awards Performances: Kanye West and G.O.O.D. Music, Usher, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Maybach Music Group, Melanie Fiona and More

Getting the 2012 BET Awards off to a “G.O.O.D.” start, Kanye West and his G.O.O.D. Music family kicked off the show in Los Angeles Sunday night (Jul 1).
Dressed in all white, Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz took turns hitting the stage to rap their respective verses on “Mercy” … before Kanye emerged from the gigantic white Lambo in the backdrop to perform his viral single “Way Too Cold,” and a new freestyle we think is called “New God Flow.”

Next up was R&B crooner Usher, who performed his single “Climax,” and later, Young Money rapstress Nicki Minaj — who won the award for Best Female rapper — performed a song called “Champion” and her 2 Chainz assisted single “Beez in the Trap.”

Other performances during the night came from Maybach Music Group (featuring Rick Ross, Wale, Meek Mill and French Montana), singer Melanie Fiona, who, wearing a flowy grey dress, sang a lovely rendition of “Wrong Side of a Love Song,” and Pop sensation Chris Brown, who, half-painted like a grey minotaur, danced up a storm with a laser-light backdrop while he performed his singles “Don’t Wake Me Up” and “Turn Up the Music.”

One highlight of the night was when the legendary Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, recipients of the “Lifetime Achievement Award,” performed on television for the first time ever, following tribute performances from Joe, Tyrese and Faith Evans

R&B songbird Chante Moore also performed “Bad Girls” and “Love To Love You Baby” in a spot-on tribute to the late Donna Summer; and rappers Tyga and Cash Out closed out the show with performances of their respective singles “Rack City” and “Cashin Out.”