BET Awards: Kendrick Lamar and Miguel win big

Given that the inaugural B.E.T. Experience just wrapped up in downtown Los Angeles, it’s fitting that two young locals - Kendrick Lamar and Miguel - were two of the breakout winners at the network’s annual awards show.

The Compton-born rapper Lamar scored big for his major-label debut “good kid, m.A.A.d. city,” which won universal praise for its nuanced storytelling. He won awards for best new artist and best male hip-hop artist. He was also a featured guest on “F- Problems,” by A$AP Rocky, which won for best collaboration with fellow guests Drake and 2 Chainz.

Miguel, the suavely experimental singer, won for best male R&B/pop artist on the strength of his second album “Kaliedescope Dream,” which featured the smash single “Adorn.” The pop star Rihanna won for best female R&B/pop artist.

PHOTOS: BET Experience at L.A. Live

Nicki Minaj, the brash pop crossover MC, won for best female hip-hop artist, her fourth consecutive win in the category. The Inglewood-based vocal group Mary Mary took home the title for best gospel act, while the Seattle duo of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, known for their goofy bargain-hunting anthem “Thrift Shop,” won for best group.

Drake was the night’s most nominated act, with 12 nods in various categories. He pulled out a win for video of the year, for his song “Started From The Bottom,” one of five nominated videos he performed in for the category. The Nigerian rapper Ice Prince won for best international act from Africa, while the UK singer Emeli Sande won for best international act.

Perhaps the night’s biggest winner though was Charlie Wilson, the former Gap Band founder and solo artist whose lifetime achievement award came with a tribute performance featuring Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Pharrell Williams, Snoop Dogg and India.Arie.