It’s no secret that award shows are about much more than the dispensing of trophies.

Your red carpet has to be red-hot. Your nominees and VIPs must be strictly A-list. But most of all, you'd better bring that heat to the stage.

If there's been one secret to the BET Awards' success over the years, it may be the long tradition of once-in-a-lifetime performances. Just last year we witnessed Kanye West’s triumphant return, Chris Brown’s emotional Michael Jackson tribute and a star-studded salute to Prince—just to name a few highlights.

“I love that the BET Awards is a show that feels like a family gathering,” says Stephen G. Hill, President of Music Programming and Specials, who has served as executive producer of the BET Awards since 2002. “Many artists have mentioned that our show is fun and unpredictable, that they love being a part of it—and just watching.”

And on that note, the first performer confirmed for the 2011 BET Awards is singer, songwriter, pianist and new mother Alicia Keys. Without revealing any secrets, the executive producer made this promise: “This year's show will blaze at a whole new temperature.”

While Hill and his team crank up the heat, stay tuned to this official site for the latest updates. We’ll keep you posted on which performers will be blazing the stage at the 2011 BET Awards.

(Photo: PictureGroup)