As they say in show business, the show must go on and Michael Jackson fans can expect a tribute to the pop icon at tonight’s Black Entertainment Television (BET) awards. The 2009 awards ceremony decided to honour the late star and changed the award show to a musical tribute.

Due to Jackson’s unexpected passing, Black Entertainment Television has said the awards would be a tribute in his honour. A statement on the BET Awards website said that with the passing of a great legend, they would shift gears to pay respects to the star for “his contributions to not only the music industry, but to the entire world”.

BET CEO Debra L. Lee told SOHH.com that they, like everyone around the globe, watched Jackson grow up and feels like he is a member of the family. The BET awards tribute aims to honour the pop icon and ensure his legend lives on.

Aside from the MJ musical tribute there will be a range of high-class entertainment. Grammy award winning artists Beyonce, Lil Wayne and TI will lead the BET awards for 2009, followed by other star-studded nominees.

Jamie Foxx will host the annual event that features a variety of categories such as “Best Male/Female R&B Artist,” “Video of the Year,” “Best Actor/Actress, “Best New Collaboration,” “Best Male/Female Hip-Hop Artist,” and “Best Group”.

Beyonce is tied with T.I for five BET nominations, with Beyonce nominated for Best Female R&B Artist and Video of the Year. Other artists nominated for the music awards are Kayne West, Rihanna, Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods and Jamie Foxx. There is also a rumour that Eminem will perform on stage at this years awards.

The BET awards were established in 2001 and has since become an annual event to celebrate African Americans and other minority groups for their musical, acting, sporting and other entertainment talents.