From Pharrell Williams bringing out a very special guest, not to mention trying out a new hat, to Nicki Minaj debuting her latest single "Pills n Potions" for the first time live to Robin Thicke continuing his get the girl back campaign at another live show to Chris Brown's big post-jail return. Not to mention, Bey & Jay's sexy finale, this year showed hip-hop is where it's at.

Oh, and about those awards. Bey took home Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, along with the prize for Best Collaboration for "Drunk In Love" with her hubby. Pharrell won Best Make R&B/Pop Artist and Best Music Video of the Year for "Happy." Drake won Best Male Hip-Hop Artist, while Minaj took home the Best Female Hip-Hop artist for the fifth time. In her speech she let the crowd know, "If you hear Nicki Minaj singing, Nicki Minaj wrote it."

Pharrell kicked off the night with a performance of "Come Get It Bae." While Miley Cyrus appears on the track, she wouldn't make it to the show (too busy working on a shrine to her recently deceased dog, Floyd), but Pharrell did treat the crowd to a surprise appearance from Missy Elliott, who performed a verse from her 2003 single "Pass the Dutch." And even if her mic was a little low, we were just happy to see Missy back doing what she does best.

On the back of a motorcycle, Nicki Minaj started off her performance with a little bit of "Chi-Raq" before launching into a Alice in Wonderful-inspired version of "Pills n Potions." Don't miss Nicki stealing a kiss from a person in a bunny costume.

Robin Thicke is still on the apology train, performing yet another song aimed at getting his wife, Paula Patton back. On this night he performed, "Forever Love."

John Legend his song "You & I" and then he got behind his piano and helped Jhen� Aiko play her track "The Worst."

The awards show paid tribute to Lionel Richie by giving him the Lifetime Achievement Award and the singer treated the crowd to his hits "Easy Like Sunday Morning" and "All Night Long," which got Nicki Minaj dancing in the front row.

Iggy Azalea joined T.I. onstage for his latest track "No Mediocre" before launching into "Fancy."

Chris Brown returned to the stage to show off his dances moves in a performance of his song "Loyal" featuring Lil Wayne and Travis Barker.

Wayne also hit the stage solo to perform Tha Carter V tracks "Krazy" and "Believe Me," minus Drake.