BET has tapped actor Samuel Jackson to host its upcoming BET Awards ceremony, the network announced Tuesday.
Jackson will preside over the July 1 awards show, which will honor the best artists, entertainers and athletes in 20 categories. "We are massively excited about having Sam Jackson, the world's biggest box office star host The BET Awards 12," said Stephen G. Hill, President of Music Programming and Specials, BET Networks in a statement. "His wit, presence and gigantic personality are the perfect match for our show."
Hip Hop artist Kanye West led all performers with seven BET Award nominations, followed closely by R&B singer Beyoncé's 6 award nods.
Veteran group Maze featuring Frankie Beverly will receive show's Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award. Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj were also confirmed as the first performers at the show, which will take place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
The nominees for the BET Awards 12 include:
Best Female R&B Artist
Marsha Ambrosius
Beyoncé
Mary J. Blige
Melanie Fiona
Rihanna
Best Male R&B Artist
Chris Brown
Bruno Mars
Miguel
Trey Songz
Usher
Best Group
Bad Meets Evil
Diddy-Dirty Money
Maybach Music Group
Mindless Behavior
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West)
Best Collaboration
Beyoncé f/ J. Cole - "Party"
Big Sean f/ Kanye West & Roscoe Dash - "Marvin & Chardonnay"
DJ Khaled f/ Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne - "I'm On One"
Drake f/ Lil Wayne & Tyga - "The Motto"
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) f/ Otis Redding - "Otis"
Wale f/ Miguel - "Lotus Flower Bomb"
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Big Sean
Drake
J. Cole
Lil Wayne
Rick Ross
Young Jeezy
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Diamond
Nicki Minaj
Brianna Perry
Trina
Video of the Year
Beyoncé - "Countdown"
Beyoncé - "Love On Top"
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) - "N***as in Paris"
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) f/ Otis Redding - "Otis"
Usher - "Climax"
Video Director of the Year
Beyoncé & Alan Ferguson
Benny Boom
Chris Brown & Godfrey Tabarez
Kanye West
Hype Williams
Best New Artist
A$AP Rocky
Big Sean
Diggy
Future
Meek Mill
Best Gospel
Yolanda Adams
Kim Burrell
James Fortune & FIYA
Fred Hammond
Trin-I-Tee 5:7
Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Viola Davis
Taraji P. Henson
Regina King
Zoe Saldana
Best Actor
Don Cheadle
Common
Idris Elba
Kevin Hart
Denzel Washington
YoungStars Award
Astro
Diggy
Jacob Latimore
Keke Palmer
Willow Smith
Best Movie
Good Deeds
Jumping The Broom
Laugh At My Pain
Red Tails
The Help
Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Skylar Diggins
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Serena Williams
Venus Williams
Subway Sportsman of the Year
Carmelo Anthony
Kobe Bryant
Victor Cruz
Kevin Durant
LeBron James
Coca-Cola Viewers Choice Award
Beyoncé - "Love On Top"
Chris Brown - "Turn Up the Music"
Drake f/ Lil Wayne & Tyga - "The Motto"
Mindless Behavior - "Hello"
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) f/ Otis Redding - "Otis"
Wale f/ Miguel - "Lotus Flower Bomb"
Centric Award
Common
Estelle
Robert Glasper
Robin Thicke
Tyrese
Best International Act: Africa
Camp Mulla (Kenya)
Ice Prince (Nigeria)
Lira (South Africa)
Mokobe (Mali)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Best International Act: UK
Estelle
Labrinth
Emeli Sandé
Sway
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