Hip-hop music mogul P Diddy has made his first awards show appearance since his arrest for assault with a star-packed tribute to his record label.

Diddy, whose real name is Sean Combs, was joined by Pharrell Williams, Lil’ Kim, Mase and Faith Evans as he celebrated 20 years of Bad Boy Records with a medley performance at the BET Awards in Los Angeles.

The star, who founded the label in 1993, took a tumble off the stage halfway through the show, but that did not stop him belting out hits including Bad Boy with Mase and Peaches And Cream with 112.

Pharrell Williams and P Diddy at the BET Awards 2015
P Diddy (right) performed with Pharrell Williams at the BET Awards (Chris Pizzello/Invision)

There was also a tribute to Bad Boy artist the Notorious B.I.G., who was honoured with a video montage set to his music.

Diddy was arrested last Monday on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly assaulting his son’s football coach with a kettlebell on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles.

Janet Jackson was presented with the Ultimate Icon Award following a dance tribute performance from singers including Ciara and Tinashe, and she dedicated the gong to her famous family.

Janet Jackson at the BET Awards 2015
Janet Jackson was back on stage at the BET Awards (Chris Pizzello/AP)

“It has been a very long journey and my heart is so full,” she said. “To my beautiful mother and father and my whole family, your love is unbreakable.”

Referring to her 1989 album, she continued: “Twenty-five years ago we created Rhythm Nation hoping the world would be a better place but today there is even more to be done.”

Motown star Smokey Robinson, 75, was honoured with the lifetime achievement award at the ceremony at the Microsoft Theatre.

Smokey Robinson at the BET Awards 2015
Smokey Robinson was honoured with a lifetime achievement BET Award

Speaking backstage afterwards he offered advice to younger performers, saying: “For those who are pursuing showbusiness I can say to you, showbusiness is a world of accolades and pedestals and people giving you praises and stuff like that but I say to you, remember where you came from and no matter how high your head is in the clouds, you had better try and keep your feet on the ground.

“Know this is nothing unique to you, you didn’t start it and you won’t finish it.”

British singer Sam Smith was named best new artist at the 15th annual awards show but was not present to collect his award.

Sam Smith
Sam Smith also got a BET Awards win (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Other big winners included Beyonce who picked up best female R&B/pop artist, best video for 7/11 and best video director, Nicki Minaj, who was named best female hip-hop artist, and Kendrick Lamar, who was judged best male.

The BET Awards 2015 air tomorrow (June 30) on BET.