Beyonce Receives Millennium Award, Performs New Single at Billboard Awards

By Boombox Editors Posted May 23rd 2011 06:02AM

Stevie Wonder said it right: "Beyonce's made history and she's not even 30 yet."

But others -- including her family, First Lady Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga, Babyface, Bono, Barbra Streisand and her 'Single Ladies' producer The-Dream -- also weighed in on the classy rise to success of Beyonce Knowles over the past decade during the intro video to the singer's 2011 Billboard Music Awards performance on Sunday night.

"I'm very proud of the women she is, the role model she provides to so many women and I truly congratulate her tonight on all her success," Michelle Obama gushed, before Beyonce received the evening's highest honor, the Billboard Millennium Award.

Proving that she's worthy of the accolades, Beyonce followed up with a state-of-the-art performance of 'Run the World (Girls)' -- the lead single from her forthcoming album '4,' due this summer.

Starting off solo on stage, the screen behind her multiplied into an army of pre-recorded Beyonce's marching and dancing in sync to the jungle beat. Dancers, some with flags, came out to help Beyonce kick up her heels under a waterfall of fireworks. Sasha Fierce was in the house and in full effect.

"I sang to Beyonce as a beautiful baby girl, but it wasn't too long before she was singing back to me and to the whole world," Tina Knowles said of her daughter before presenting the award. "Only 29 years old, for 15 of those years, you've been on the stage wowing crowd everywhere, raising the bar and setting new standards, but still managing to stay grounded and a beautiful person."

Calling her family her foundation, Beyonce thanked her father for her drive and work ethic. She graciously praised her Destiny's Child members -- Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams -- saying she "wouldn't be standing on this stage if it wasn't for y'all." Then, showing she has the grace worthy to be on top of music's throne, she thanked DC's original members -- LaToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson.

And just when the thanking couldn't get any better, the 'Irreplaceable' singer went after her husband and "best friend" Jay-Z. With their personal life kept mostly out of the media, Beyonce first apologized for putting Jigga Man on the spot and the camera the award show would likely zoom in with, but noted she couldn't help herself because "I love me some Jay-Z."

"This is a moment I have to soak in, because it's gonna be, and it is, one of the best memories of my life," Beyonce concluded.

See more at Boombox.

Tags: beyonce, billboard music awards

Comments

(13)

Monday 23 May

By DEROB DeYAWN

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WITH HER BLOND WIGS AND EXTENSIONS, A PRIME EXAMPLE OF BLACK SELF=HATRED...SHE IS MORE RIDICULOUS THAN A MINSTREL SHOW.

By Tell It Like It Is

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YAWN. Right about that.

By Sara

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Can I ask you a question? Do you consider white women to be anti-white when they get tans? Sometimes people feel they look better with a particular hair color. That doesn't mean that they hate themselves. When I was younger, I wanted my hair to be my EXACT skin color. I'm a light orange/peach color, but I'm black. I thought it would look "cool". I didn't change my hair because I wanted to be white. I did it because it was something different and I thought it would be cute. Beyonce likely feels that she looks better with light brown hair. Is that a crime? Must EVERY black woman refuse to color her hair because doing so might infer that she wants to be white? That is stupid. So do white women dye their hair brunette because they want to be black? That argument AND way of thinking is deeply flawed and it is a self-loathing way to think about yourself. I have colored my hair light brown, black with blue highlights, black, dark brown and a few shades in between. Never once did I think of doing so because I wanted to be white. You need a reality check AND you need to stop putting your reasons for doing things off on other people.

By grown and sexy

It's always amusing when anyone accuses a black woman of self-hatred because she has blond hair, whether it be a wig or extensions. Virtually any other color is acceptable, but blond is looked at as the color of the oppressor. Some of us need to get out more and travel the world. There are actually some black women who are born with blond hair. Visit Cape Verde sometimes. You'll be amazed at what you see.

By Daniij22

I agree with you but it's not amusing it's sad. It's really sad how ignorant people are and they either have no clue or don't care and that's scary!

By webster19994

Nobody I talked to watched this pointless show. I watched Oprah's behind the Scenes, 60Ms and Heat vs Bulls and so did most of my friends. No one cares about Beyonce. That's why they added the First Lady at the last minute who I have tremendous respect. I forgive Michelle for pumping up this air head since she honored the "intelligent" women at Spellman!

By Rerand

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15 years in the business, yet still not a single memorable piece of music to her name. Sad really.

I always joke "No one from Motwon writes her pointless songs. We won't be singing her trash 30yrs from now!" hahahaha

By kanny

i second all you've said guys but let's be honest...when she was with destiny's child, she did good. but when she began her solo career, beyonce became an epitome of copying every female singer's style. in her first solo single, "crazy in love"...you can see jlo's style in there, now in her "girls rule the world" song she has a whole lot of lady gaga, jlo, rihanna, ciara, janet jackson in there. this is why i can't join in the praise. beyonce's solo career is built on copying other great and incredible female stars. i haven't yet seen one single creative n' original thing beyonce has brought to the table. of course, she can dance but who can't? it's just a pity some people are gullible...therefore the praise of her so called "talent." i keep telling people, if tomorrow it is said she's got a dark secret or she's on drugs...i won't be surprised. that's what you get from such people.

By cac006006

I liked Beyonce when she was with Destiny's Child also. However, I find her solo songs very annoying .

By dragonjoy1313

I agree! I'm a middle aged white woman who ADORES Beyonce! I believe she has worked HARD for EVERYTHING she has, unlike many of these 'stars' of today. Make one song or movie and someone is a 'star'. nope, not in my book. And all the haters! remember what your mother said, "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" what's the point of the negativity? You're only taking the good from yourself and it's not going to affect Beyonce, so if you can't say something nice about someone or a situation, move on. life is too short and people are too obsessed with the negative!

By duff

Millennium award? Uh last time I checked there was still 989 years, give or take a few days. I guess nobody can top her songwriting? I doubt a century award should even be given yet.

Tuesday 24 May

By Angel

I think the performance would have had a stronger effect if the special effects were on time with her movements..., either way like I have said time and time again, although I dont care much for beyonce or her music, I do think she is a great perfomer and always puts in work.

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