Drake, Beyoncé and Rihanna top 2016 BET Awards nominations
Drake leads the crop of nominations for this year’s BET Awards, according to the full list of nominations released by the network late Thursday.
The Canadian rapper-singer, whose latest album, “Views,” is currently atop the charts, scored nine nods, including two in the coveted video of the year race (last year’s song of summer earworm “Hotline Bling” will compete against Rihanna’s “Work,” which he’s featured on).
Drake is also up for male hip-hop artist, best collaboration and best group — the latter of which comes from his work with Atlanta rapper Future, which yielded a hit surprise mixtape, 2015’s “What a Time to Be Alive.”
Rihanna and Beyoncé follow with five nods each.
Beyoncé’s polarizing “Formation” video will compete for video of the year alongside Drake, Rihanna, Bryson Tiller’s breakout hit “Don’t” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright.”
The pop superstar is also in the running for female R&B/pop artist against Adele, Rihanna, K. Michelle and rising singer Andra Day; and her viral smash with Nicki Minaj, “Feeling Myself,” is up for best collaboration.
Buzzy upstarts Alessia Cara, Andra Day, Bryson Tiller, Kehlani and Tory Lanez are up for new artist.
“These nominees represent depth and diversity in achievement over the past year and we look forward to recognizing them next month,” said Stephen Hill, BET’s president of programming, in a statement. “This show will be innovative and special; in addition to celebrating the best in entertainment, we’ll also spend time throughout the show remembering Prince as only BET can. You can count on memorable performances and moments in honor of a true legend.”
BET anchors its awards spectacle with a multi-day festival across multiple venues at downtown’s L.A. Live including Staples Center and the Novo (formerly Club Nokia).
Set for June 23-26, the BET Experience packs concerts, wellness seminars, celebrity panels, exhibits and a free fan expo alongside the awards show. Usher, Bryson Tiller, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Fetty Wap, Ty Dolla Sign, Katt Williams, Mike Epps and the Roots are among headliners.
Tickets are on sale now through Axs. Single-day Staples Center show tickets start at $49.50, with three-day packages starting at $148.50. Novo ticket prices vary by artist.
VIP packages, which include a ticket to the awards show, range from $1,095 to $4,500. More information can be found on the festival’s website.
The BET Awards air live from the Microsoft Theater on June 26 at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
Here’s the complete list of nominees for the 2016 BET Awards:
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Adele
Andra Day
Beyonce
K. Michelle
Rihanna
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Bryson Tiller
Chris Brown
Jeremih
The Weeknd
Tyrese
Best Group
2 Chainz & Lil Wayne
Drake & Future
Puff Daddy & The Family
Rae Sremmurd
The Internet
Best Collaboration
Big Sean ft. Chris Brown & Ty Dolla Sign - “Play No Games”
Big Sean ft. Kanye West & John Legend - “One Man Can Change the World”
Future ft. Drake - “Where Ya At”
Nicki Minaj ft. Beyonce - “Feeling Myself”
Rihanna ft. Drake - “Work”
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Drake
Fetty Wap
Future
J. Cole
Kanye West
Kendrick Lamar
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Dej Loaf
Lil Kim
Missy Elliott
Nicki Minaj
Remy Ma
Video of the Year
Beyonce - “Formation”
Bryson Tiller - “Don’t”
Drake - “Hotline Bling”
Kendrick Lamar - “Alright”
Rihanna ft. Drake - “Work”
Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Chris Brown
Colin Tilley & The Little Homies
Director X
Hype Williams
Best New Artist
Alessia Cara
Andra Day
Bryson Tiller
Kehlani
Tory Lanez
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
Anthony Brown & Group Therapy
Erica Campbell
Kirk Franklin
Lecrae
Tamela Mann
Tasha Cobbs
Best Actress
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington
Taraji P. Henson
Tracee Ellis Ross
Viola Davis
Best Actor
Anthony Anderson
Courtney B. Vance
Idris Elba
Michael B. Jordan
O’Shea Jackson Jr.
YoungStars Award
Amandla Stenberg
Quvenzhane Wallis
Silento
Willow Smith
Yara Shahidi
Best Movie
“Beasts of No Nation”
“Concussion”
“Creed”
“Dope”
“Straight Outta Compton”
Sportswoman of the Year
Cheyenne Woods
Gabrielle Douglas
Serena Williams
Skylar Diggins
Venus Williams
Sportsman of the Year
Cam Nnewton
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Odell Beckham Jr.
Stephen Curry
Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
Beyonce – “Formation”
Bryson Tiller – “Don’t”
Chris Brown – “Back to Sleep”
Drake – “Hotline Bling”
Future ft. Drake – “Where Ya At”
Rihanna ft. Drake – “Work”
Centric Award
Andra Day - “Rise Up”
Beyonce – “Formation”
K. Michelle – “Not a Little Bit”
Rihanna - “BBHMM”
The Internet - “Under Control”
Best International Act Africa
AKA (South Africa)
Black Coffee (South Africa)
Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
MZVEE (Ghana)
Serge Beynaud (Cote D’Ivoire)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
Best International Act UK
Kano
Krept & Konan
Lianne La Havas
Skepta
Stormzy
Tinie Tempah
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