BET has named the nominees for its 2012 awards at a press conference in New York City on Tuesday, May 22. In the music field, Kanye West leads the pack by bagging seven nominations in total, and five of his seven nods come from his collaboration with Jay-Z for their joint album, "Watch the Throne".
Along with Jigga, the "Way Too Cold" rapper is up for Best Group, Best Collaboration, Video of the Year (two nominations) and Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice Award. He also earns himself a second nomination for Best Collaboration thanks to his joint effort with Big Sean. Individually, the 34-year-old MC lands a nom for Video Director of the Year.
Following closely behind Yeezy in term of nomination collection is Jigga's wife Beyonce Knowles. The "Run the World (Girls)" singer collects six nominations that include Best Female R&B Artist and Video of the Year. In the later category, she receives two nods for her singles, "Countdown" and "Love on Top".
Lil Wayne, Drake, Chris Brown and J. Cole are among other stars nailing multiple nominations. Both Weezy and Drake snag four noms, while Breezy is up for three and Cole earns double nods. The Cadillac Lifetime Achievement honor will go to Maze featuring Frankie Beverly.
This year's BET Awards, which also honors the best in sports and movie, will announce its winners during a live telecast that airs live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on July 1. Samuel L. Jackson has been tapped as its host with Brown and Nicki Minaj being included in the performer line-up.
Best Female R&B Artist: Best Male R&B Artist:
Marsha Ambrosius Beyonce Knowles Mary J. Blige Melanie Fiona Rihanna | Chris Brown Bruno Mars Miguel Trey Songz Usher |
Best Group: | Best Collaboration: |
Bad Meets Evil Diddy-Dirty Money Maybach Music Group Mindless Behavior The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) | -Beyonce Knowles feat. J. Cole - "Party" -Big Sean feat. Kanye West & Roscoe Dash - "Marvin & Chardonnay" -DJ Khaled feat. Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne - "I'm On One" -Drake feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga - "The Motto" -The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) feat. Otis Redding - "Otis" -Wale feat. Miguel - "Lotus Flower Bomb" |
Best Male Hip Hop Artist: | Best Female Hip Hop Artist: |
Big Sean Drake J. Cole Lil Wayne Rick Ross Young Jeezy | Diamond Nicki Minaj Brianna Perry Trina |
Video of the Year: | Video Director of the Year: |
Ø Beyonce Knowles - "Countdown" Ø Beyonce Knowles - "Love on Top" Ø The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) - "N***as in Paris" Ø The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) feat. Otis Redding - "Otis" Ø Usher - "Climax" | Beyonce Knowles & Alan Ferguson Benny Boom Chris Brown & Godfrey Tabarez Kanye West Hype Williams |
Best New Artist: | Best Gospel: |
A$AP Rocky Big Sean Diggy Simmons Meek Mill | Yolanda Adams Kim Burrell James Fortune & FIYA Fred Hammond Trin-I-Tee 5:7 |
YoungStars Award: | Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice Award: |
Astro Diggy Simmons Jacob Latimore Keke Palmer Willow Smith | Ø Beyonce Knowles - "Love on Top" Ø Chris Brown - "Turn Up the Music" Ø Drake feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga - "The Motto" Ø Mindless Behavior - "Hello" Ø The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) feat. feat. Miguel - "Lotus Flower Bomb" |
Centric Award: | Best International Act: Africa |
Common Estelle Robert Glasper Robin Thicke Tyrese | AfricaCamp Mulla (Kenya) Ice Prince (Nigeria) Lira (South Africa) Mokobe (Mali) Sarkodie (Ghana) Wizkid (Nigeria) |
Best International Act: UK | |
Estelle Labrinth Emeli Sande Sway Wretch 32 |
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