The 2012 BET Awards were quite the star-studded, with performers like Beyonce, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Usher, Nicki Minaj and many more filling the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Photographers captured some of hip-hop and R&B’s hottest artists mingling in the audience, hanging out backstage, or performing for viewers all over the nation at the 2012 BET Awards.

Before things really started to get into full swing, Beyonce, her hubby Jay-Z, Kanye West and his girlfriend Kim Kardashian were seen chatting each other up in the audience. Beyonce looked beautiful as usual in her yellow gown and wild curls, and Jay-Z kept it dapper in a sleek gray suit. Meanwhile, Kanye and Kim, ever two peas in a pod, donned matching white ensembles.

After the Throne picked up the award for Best Group from 2012 BET Awards host Samuel L. Jackson and director Spike Lee, Nicki Minaj was also snapped sitting with Yeezy’s lady Kim K. The Harajuku Barbie, who later performed ‘Beez in the Trap’ for the crowd, looked dangerously sexy in all-black, sky-high heels, pink lips and a blond wig.

Scroll through these show and performance pictures from the 2012 BET Awards and let us know what your favorite moment of the evening was in the comments below.

See Show + Performance Pictures From the 2012 BET Awards

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