Cyrus Langhorne
R&B singer Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj lead the upcoming BET Awards 2015 showcase with six nominations followed closely by rap star Lil Wayne.
BET Networks announced their nominees for its annual televised event Monday (May 18).
Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj lead with an impressive six nominations. Chris Brown is nominated for ‘Best Male R&B/Pop Artist,’ two separate nods in the ‘Best Collaboration’ category, two nominations in the ‘Video of the Year’ category and the ‘Coca-Cola® Viewers’ Choice Award.’ Nicki Minaj is nominated ‘Best Collaboration,’ ‘Best Female Hip Hop Artist,’ ‘Video of the Year,’ two nominations for ‘Coca-Cola® Viewers’ Choice Award’ and ‘Best Group’ as a member of Young Money. Beyoncé and Lil Wayne round it out with four nominations each. This year also marks a special milestone for the “BET Awards” as it celebrates its 15th anniversary live from the Nokia Theatre, Sunday, June 28, 2015. (Press Release)
Stiff competition in categories like “Best Group” will pit crews A$AP Mob, Migos, Rich Gang and Young Money against one another.
BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST
BEYONCÉ
CIARA
JANELLE MONÁE
JHENÉ AIKO
K. MICHELLE
RIHANNA
BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST
AUGUST ALSINA
CHRIS BROWN
JOHN LEGEND
THE WEEKND
TREY SONGZ
USHER
BEST GROUP
A$AP MOB
JODECI
MIGOS
RAE SREMMURD
RICH GANG
YOUNG MONEY
BEST COLLABORATION
AUGUST ALSINA F/ NICKI MINAJ – NO LOVE (REMIX)
BIG SEAN F/ E-40 – IDFWU
CHRIS BROWN F/ LIL WAYNE & TYGA – LOYAL
CHRIS BROWN F/ USHER & RICK ROSS – NEW FLAME
COMMON & JOHN LEGEND – GLORY (FROM THE MOTION PICTURE “SELMA”)
MARK RONSON F/ BRUNO MARS – UPTOWN FUNK
BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST
BIG SEAN
COMMON
DRAKE
J. COLE
KENDRICK LAMAR
WALE
BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST
AZEALIA BANKS
DEJ LOAF
IGGY AZALEA
NICKI MINAJ
TINK
TRINA
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
BEYONCÉ – 7/11
BIG SEAN F/ E-40 – IDFWU
CHRIS BROWN F/ LIL WAYNE & TYGA – LOYAL
CHRIS BROWN F/ USHER & RICK ROSS – NEW FLAME
COMMON & JOHN LEGEND – GLORY (FROM THE MOTION PICTURE “SELMA”)
NICKI MINAJ – ANACONDA
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
BENNY BOOM
BEYONCÉ, ED BURKE & TODD TOURSO
CHRIS ROBINSON
FATIMA ROBINSON
HYPE WILLIAMS
BEST NEW ARTIST
BOBBY SHMURDA
DEJ LOAF
FETTY WAP
RAE SREMMURD
SAM SMITH
TINASHE
Last year, producer Pharrell and show host Chris Rock helped spark the annual awards show activities.
Pharrell kicked off the BET Awards on Sunday with a playful performance featuring the reclusive Missy Elliott and host Chris Rock was successful with back-to-back jokes, helping take attention away from a fatal shooting and a separate stabbing at unsanctioned parties celebrating the ceremony. (TIME)
Musicians Lil Wayne, Chris Brown and Usher all kept the show going with high-energy performances.
Lil Wayne started his performance with a live debut of his new “Tha Carter V” single, “Krazy.” John Legend stayed put behind his piano, as he introduced Jhene Aiko to the stage to perform “The Worst.” For the first time since released from jail (after a four month stint), Chris Brown performed his hit, “Loyal,” alongside Lil Wayne and Tyga. Minutes after closing his set with Travis Barker behind the drums, Breezy dropped his new single, “New Flame,” featuring Usher and Rick Ross. (Billboard)
