After opening the BET Awards show Sunday night (July 1) with his G.O.O.D. Music brethren, Big Sean took home the Best New Artist award, beating out A$AP Rocky, Meek Mill, Diggy Simmons and Future.

The rapper thanked his fans, mother and grandmother during his acceptance speech -- he admitted the actual paper he wrote his notes on said his mom forgot to bring with her -- but also gave a huge shout out to Kanye West for taking a chance on his music. The Detroit MC made a reference to how happy he is to be finally famous. "When I started to do what I love, I started to live the life that I love," he said.

Big Sean's Finally Famous LP, released last June, spawned such hits as the Chris Brown-assisted "Marvin & Chardonnay," which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and the popular top 10 Hot 100 hit "Dance (A$$)" featuring Nicki Minaj.


See Photos of Stars on the BET Awards 2012 Red Carpet

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Watch Big Sean's "Dance (A$$)" Remix Video Feat. Nicki Minaj

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