T.I. to return to stage at BET Awards

NEW YORK, June 3 (UPI) -- Rapper T.I.'s first performance on television since being released from prison will be for the upcoming BET Awards '10 event in Los Angeles, the network says.

T.I. was in custody from March 2009 until December 2009, serving a sentence for a federal weapons conviction. He left a halfway house where he served part of his sentence in March.

"Newly added to the lineup is the highly anticipated and explosive return of the 'King of the South.' Multi-platinum, rap heavyweight T.I. will hit the stage in his first, televised performance since his release," BET said in a statement Thursday.

R&B singer and philanthropist John Legend is also to be presented with a humanitarian award for his work to end poverty through education.

Queen Latifah will be the host of the show, which is to feature performances by Nicki Minaj, Drake, Trey Songz and Diddy-Dirty Money, as well.

The BET Awards '10 ceremony is to be broadcast live on the network from the Shrine Auditorium June 27.