BET Awards: A Big Disappointment

On Sunday I decided to celebrate the music and the man by seeking out a MJ Dance Party in Brooklyn.  I went to Brooklyn's trendy The Yard and was beyond disappointed. Not only was the place swarming with non-diverse urbanites with strollers and beers and who couldn't dance if somebody moonwalked on their face, but the international-renowned DJ didn't have any Michael Jackson music. Not even Beat It.  Then I went over to a friend's to watch the BET Awards [1] with the promise of a Michael Jackson tribute like no other. We sat there, food on lap, ready to dance and cry, but nothing. Except for Ne-Yo, New Edition, and Keke Palmer's heartfelt MJ renditions, BET'S special tribute to Michael Jackson was nothing special.

Let's start with Jamie Foxx.  The brother was spending way too much time being cocky and comical, by the time he sang "I'll Be There" at the end of the show I couldn't truly appreciate it.  And then there was Joe Jackson.  I couldn't understand why everyone kept sending out prayers to him and then separate prayers to his family.  Aren't they one in the same?  Reverend Al Sharpton?  Enough said.  But I nearly called the president when Lil Wayne jumped onto the stage rapping about sexing girls while 13-year-old girls were literally dancing on the stage as he rapped [2]. Was that supposed to be some political statement? He did finish his number with a special thanks to Michael.  Was it just me, or did the BET Awards have way too much going on?

Thoughts?