Cissy Houston's tribute to her late daughter was the emotional highlight of today's BET Awards, a show that was defined by extended bleeps and the vulgarities that censors failed to catch on stage throughout the night.

Whitney Houston's mother gave a rousing performance of Bridge Over Troubled Water that left the crowd in tears, including Beyonce and Melanie Fiona.

Mariah Carey opened the tribute with memories of her friend. She was followed by a moving number by Monica. Brandy, heavily influenced by Houston, sang two of the late singer's hits. Chaka Khan blazed the stage with I'm Every Woman, which Houston remade. Gary Houston, Whitney's brother, also performed.

But the nearly four-hour BET Awards was more like the Bleep Awards, as entire segments of performances from Nicki Minaj to Rick Ross were muted out due to foul language.

It started during the opening number by Kanye West's G.O.O.D. music group, which included Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz. There were long moments of censored silence when the rappers performed "Mercy," though not all the offending words were bleeped out. Moments later, Samuel L. Jackson, the show's host, was joined by Spike Lee as they did a comedic version of Jay-Z and West's hit song ... In Paris, to laughs.

"Two distinguished Morehouse men," Lee joked after the performance, referencing the alma mater of the two.

The censor police also worked overtime when Rick Ross performed with his Maybach Music Group and during Minaj's performance and acceptance speech for best female hip-hop artist. Minaj's win was her third consecutive time taking the prize.

"I really, really appreciate BET for keeping this category alive, and I appreciate all the female rappers doing their thing, past, present and future," she said, before uttering an obscenity.

Gospel star Yolanda Adams, who also performed, gently took some of her peers to task as she won best gospel artist, urging them to act mature and use their fame wisely.

"We need all of y'all," she said. "I'm saying the world needs everyone in this room. Please make sure that you use your gift responsibly, 'cause we're watching. Our babies are watching, and they want to be like us."

West and Jay-Z won the ceremony's top prize, earning video of the year for Otis. They also won best group.

West, who was up for seven awards, was the top nominee. Beyonce was the second most nominated act with six. She won video director of the year (along with Alan Ferguson) and best female R&B artist and thanked the genre and her female influences.

"I fell in love with music by listening to R&B. It's the core of who I am," she said, giving special thanks to Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige and "Whitney Houston, my angel".

When she lost video of the year to Jay-Z and West, she playfully hit her husband and laughed. The joking continued: Moments later, as West was giving his acceptance speech, Jay-Z interrupted him and said: "Excuse me Kanye, I'm gonna let you continue, but ...," and the audience erupted with laughter, recalling West's infamous interruption of Taylor Swift's MTV Video Music Awards speech a few years back.

Chris Brown was also a double winner. Kevin Hart - who hosted the awards last year - also won for best actor, Big Sean was named best new artist and Wale and Miguel's smooth hit Lotus Flower Bomb won best collaboration.

The tone of night fluctuated frequently, as the show shifted from hotly anticipated performances to solemn moments to irreverence. Usher performed his groove Climax, and Nicki Minaj sported a blonde wig with pink tips as she performed the songs Champion and Beez In the Trap, which featured 2 Chainz.

The night also featured some tributes to deceased greats: Chante Moore performed a medley of Donna Summer's hits and Valerie Simpson sang a song in honour of her husband and writing partner Nick Ashford. Don Cornelius, Dick Clark and Hal Jackson were remembered. Even West offered tributes: after his performance, he name-dropped Rodney King and Whitney Houston in a verse that got cheers from the crowd, including his girlfriend, Kim Kardashian.

Presenters included Taraji P. Henson, Kerry Washington and Jamie Foxx, who wore a T-shirt that had a picture of Trayvon Martin, the Florida teen killed by neighbourhood watchman George Zimmerman.

Frankie Beverly featuring Maze were honoured with the lifetime achievement award, and they were serenaded with performances by Tyrese, Faith Evans and Joe.

D'Angelo also performed, his first televised performance in years as he attempts a comeback.

Brown also performed in his first televised appearance since the New York City nightclub brawl between his entourage and Drake's. Brown, his girlfriend, his bodyguard and NBA star Tony Parker were among those injured in the June 14 encounter, where bottles were thrown.

Drake, however, didn't show, despite being nominated.

2012 BET Award Winners:

Best Group – The Throne (Kanye West & Jay-Z)
Best Actor – Kevin Hart
Best New Artist – Big Sean
Best Male R&B Artist – Chris Brown
Best Female R&B Artist – Beyoncé Knowles
Best Collaboration – Wale ft. Miguel
Best Gospel  Artist – Yolanda Adams
Sportsman of the Year – Kevin Durant
Sportswoman of the Year – Serena Williams
Best Female Hip Hop Artist – Nicki Minaj
Lifetime Achievement Award – Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
Video of the Year - Otis by Kanye West & Jay-Z
Centric Award - Common

- AP