The awards ceremony recognized Americans in music, movies, sports and other fields of entertainment over the past year.
The show was the culmination of the cable network's first ever BET Experience, a three-day music and lifestyle fest done in partnership with AEG Live.
His hit single "Started from the Bottom" and "HYFR" competed with his collaborations with 2 Chainz ("No Lie"), Lamar ("Poetic Justice"), and A$AP Rocky ("Problems").
The Video of the Year award had 10 nominees for the first time ever, including Justin Timberlake's "Suit & Tie", Kanye West's "Mercy", Miguel's "Adorn", Rihanna's "Diamonds" and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' "Thrift Shop".
BET revealed a deal with Anschutz Entertainment Group that would bring the show to the $2.5-billion L.A. Live complex in 2013.