The nominees for the 2012 BET Awards were announced Tuesday (May 22) at BET Studios in New York City during a press conference that was attended by Astro (from X Factor), A$AP Rocky, Big Sean, Frankie Beverly (of Frankie Beverly and Maze), Melanie Fiona, Diggy, DJ Khaled and Mindless Behavior.
Kanye West leads the pack of nominees with seven nominations, followed by Beyonce with six nominations, and her husband (and Kanye’s mentor) Jay-Z with five. Other artists with multiple nominees include Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Drake and J. Cole.
Samuel L. Jackson was announced as the host of the 12th annual show, which has been hosted in the past by Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Damon Wayans, Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey, and Jamie Foxx, among others. Last year’s show was hosted by actor/comedian Kevin Hart.
Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj are the only confirmed performers so far for this year’s show, which will also present the legendary soul/funk group Frankie Beverly & Maze with the Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award.
Other performers will be announced soon, but for now, check out the full list of nominees below!
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist:
Big Sean
Drake
J Cole
Lil Wayne
Rick Ross
Young Jeezy
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist:
Diamond
Trina
Nicki Minaj
Brianna Perry
Best Male R&B Artist:
Chris Brown
Bruno Mars
Miguel
Usher
Trey Songz
Best Female R&B Arist:
Marsha Ambrosius
Beyonce
Mary J Blige
Melanie Fiona
Rihanna
Best New Artist:
ASAP Rocky
Big Sean
Diggy
Future
Meek Millz
Best Group:
Bad Meets Evil (Eminem & Royce da 5’9)
Diddy-Dirty Money
Maybach Music Group
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West)
Mindless Behavior
Best Collaboration of the Year:
Beyonce ft. J Cole- “Party”
Big Sean ft. Kanye- “Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay”
DJ Khaled & Crew- “I’m On One”
Drake, Tyga, Lil Wayne-“The Motto”
Wale/Miguel-“Lotus Flower Bomb”
Kanye/Jay Z- “Otis”
Video of the Year:
Beyonce-Countdown
Beyonce-Love On Top
The Throne-Ni**as in Paris
The Throne-Otis
Usher-Climax
Director of the Year:
Beyonce (Alan Ferguson)
Chris Brown (Godfrey T)
Kanye West
Hype Williams
Benny Boom
Subway Sportsman of the Year:
Carmelo Anthony
Kobe Bryant
Kevin Durant
Victor Cruz
Lebron James
Subway Sportswoman of the Year:
Skylar Diggins
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Serena Williams
Venus Williams
Best Movie:
Good Deeds
Jumping The Broom
Laugh At My Pain
Red Tails
The Help
Coca-Cola Viewer’s Choice Award:
Beyonce- Love On Top
Chris Brown- Turn Up The Music
Mindless Behavior- Hello
The Throne- Otis
Wale & Miguel- Lotus Flower Bomb
Drake ft. Tyga & Lil Wayne- The Motto
Best Actor:
Don Cheadle
Common
Kevin Hart
Denzel Washington
Best Actress:
Angela Basset
Regina King
Zoe Saldana
Viola Davis
Taraji P. Henson
Young Stars:
Diggy Simmons
Astro
Keke Palmer
Jacob Latimore
Willow Smith
Best Gospel Artists:
Yolanda Adams
James Fortune & FIYA
Fred Hammond
Kim Burrell
Trinitee 5:7
Centric Award:
Common
Estelle
Robert Glasper
Robin Thicke
Tyrese
Tune in on July 1st at 8pm when the 2012 BET Awards airs live from Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium!
