Common Snags First Prize At BET Awards Pre-Show

Willow Smith debuts 'I Am Me' video during pre-show, which also includes a performance from A$AP Rocky.

On Sunday night (July 1), a myriad of celebs descended on the 2012 BET Awards pre-show and red carpet at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Hosted by "106 & Park" duo Terrence J and Rocsi Diaz, along with radio/TV personality Big Tigger and Tamar Braxton of "Braxton Family Values," the carpet showcased appearances from the worlds of music, TV and celebrity, including Rick Ross and the entire Maybach Music Group family, 2 Chainz, Trey Songz, La La Anthony, Young Jeezy and the main show's host, Samuel L. Jackson.
Common took home the first honor of the evening, the Centric Award, and Willow Smith premiered her new introspective video for "I Am Me."
Several performances from burgeoning talents, including Elle Varner, OMG Girlz, Slaughterhouse and Driicky Graham, kept the crowd moving. Harlem's A$AP Rocky performed at the pre-show with "Goldie." Pretty Flacko was then joined onstage by producer Swizz Beatz for their joint "Street Knock."
Celebrities buzzed with excitement about the show's Whitney Houston memorial performance, as well as singer D'Angelo's first televised performance in years. Maybach Music Group, Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown are among the many that will also take the stage.
Before Kanye West and his G.O.O.D. Music family hit the BET Awards stage, Big Sean shared a hint of what to expect from his set with MTV News. "All white, all white, player," Sean said with a mischievous laugh outside of music-industry veteran Kevin Liles' private luncheon in Hollywood Hills on Saturday.
Stick with MTV News as we bring you all the scoop from the 2012 BET Awards, including winners and must-see performances!