Stars throng black showbiz awards

P Diddy passed on thanks from Busta Rhymes via pager

Oscar-winner Halle Berry and Will Smith were among those honoured at the Black Entertainment Television (BET) awards in Los Angeles.

Soul and funk veterans Earth, Wind and Fire won the lifetime achievement award for 30 years of hits at the second annual awards, held at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre.

Singer India Arie, who missed out on a number of awards this year, including the Grammys, won best female R&B artist at Tuesday's ceremony.

India Arie picked up a much-awaited award

Halle Berry, who won at the Oscars for Monster's Ball, and Will Smith, who received an Oscar nomination but mixed reviews for his performance as Muhammad Ali, won the favourite actress and actor awards.

The boxer himself won a humanitarian award, presented by Smith, while daughter Laila Ali won best female athlete.

"You had a big honour playing me in the movie," Ali told Smith.

The actor replied: "Yeah, you're right, it was a big honour for me playing you in the movie."

"There was just one thing wrong - you're not pretty enough," Ali shot back.

The awards - organised by organised by Viacom's cable channel Black Entertainment Network - are voted by record label executives, media figures and fans.

Veterans' excitement

A number of members of Earth, Wind and Fire attended to collect their award.

The group was founded by drummer Maurice White and includes his bassist brother Verdine White, and singer-percussionists Philip Bailey and Ralph Johnson.

After receiving the award, Maurice White said: "Well when you're a little band all you want to do is get your one and only record on the air one time.

"We didn't expect to be in this business 30 years later so we're very excited about it."

Earth, Wind and Fire have had 30 years of hits

Usher won best male R&B artist, while Ja Rule and Missy Elliott took the male and female hip hop awards. Miss Jackson stars OutKast won best group.

Outkast member Antwan "Big Boi" Patton accepted the best group award without his colleague, Andre Benjamin, who stayed in Atlanta to support fellow hip hop star Khujo Goodie, who lost his lower leg in a car crash the night before.

Most of the artists collected their awards in person, except rapper Busta Rhymes, who was apparently stuck on his plane and sent his thanks for best video award via two-way pager to Sean "P Diddy" Combs who accepted on his behalf.

Alicia Keys was named best new artist, having gone into the event with three nominations, the same number as the late R&B singer Aaliyah, who won nothing.

The only cloud over the night happened when recently released rap record label boss Marion "Suge" Knight and associates had a brief stand-off with rapper Snoop Dogg and friends.