Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj Lead with Six Nominations Followed by Beyoncé and Lil Wayne with Four

Sam Smith Receives Two Nods, and Newcomer FKA Twigs is Nominated for Best International Artist: UK

“BET Awards” to Air Live on Sunday, June 28 from Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles, CA at 8 P.M. ET

#BETAWARDS

BET Networks, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ:VIAB, VIA), announced the nominations for the “BET Awards” 2015. 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. Beyoncé is nominated for ‘Best Female R&B / Pop Artist,’ ‘Video of the Year,’ ‘Video Director of the Year,’ and the coveted ‘Coca-Cola® Viewers’ Choice Award.’ Lil Wayne is nominated for ‘Best Collaboration,’ ‘Video of the Year,’ ‘Coca-Cola® Viewers’ Choice Award,’ and ‘Best Group’ as a member of Young Money. 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.

BET Networks recognizes artists, entertainers, and athletes across 20 categories with the “BET Awards” 2015 nominations. The nominations are selected by BET’s Voting Academy, which is comprised of fans and an esteemed group of entertainment professionals in the fields of television, film, music, social media, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations, and the creative arts.

“This year’s nominees showcase a diverse group of talent that includes longstanding entertainers, breakout performers, and outstanding athletes,” said Stephen Hill, BET’s President of Programming. “We congratulate all of the talent on their remarkable contributions to the world of entertainment and look forward to them joining us in celebrating 15 years of the BET Awards.”

Here is the complete list of 2015 BET Awards nominees:

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
Ciara
Janelle Monae
K. Michelle
Rihanna
Jhené Aiko

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
August Alsina
Chris Brown
John Legend
The Weeknd
Usher
Trey Songz

Best Group
A$AP Mob
Rich Gang
Rae Sremmurd
Migos
Jodeci
Young Money

Best Collaboration
August Alsina f/ Nicki Minaj – “No Love” (Remix)
Big Sean f/ E-40 – “IDFWU”
Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne and Tyga – “Loyal”
Chris Brown f/ Usher and Rick Ross – “New Flame”
Common and John Legend – “Glory”

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Drake
Common
J. Cole
Big Sean
Wale
Kendrick Lamar

Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Azealia Banks
Dej Loaf
Tink
Iggy Azalea
Nicki Minaj
Trina

Video of the Year
Beyoncé – “7/11” Big Sean f/ E-40 – “IDFWU”
Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne and Tyga – “Loyal”
Chris Brown f/ Usher and Rick Ross – “New Flame”
Common and John Legend – “Glory”
Nicki Minaj – “Anaconda”

Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Chris Robinson
Fatima Robinson
Hype Williams
Beyoncé, Ed Burke and Todd Tourso

Best New Artist
Bobby Shmurda
Dej Loaf
Fetty Wap
Rae Sremmurd
Tinashe
Sam Smith

Best Gospel Artist
Donnie McClurkin
Erica Campbell
Hezekiah Walker
Tye Tribbett
Tamela Mann

Best Actress
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington
Taraji P. Henson
Tracee Ellis Ross
Viola Davis

Best Actor
Anthony Anderson
Idris Elba
Kevin Hart
Jussie Smollett
Terrence Howard

YoungStars Award
Mo’ne Davis
Quvenzhané Wallis
Jacob Latimore
Jaden Smith
Zendaya

Best Movie
Annie
Beyond the Lights
Selma
Top Five
Think Like a Man Too

Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Serena Williams
Skylar Diggins
Venus Williams

Subway Sportsman of the Year
Chris Paul
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Stephen Curry
Marshawn Lynch
LeBron James

Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
Beyoncé – “7/11”
Dej Loaf – “Try Me”
Kendrick Lamar – “i”
Nicki Minaj f/ Drake and Lil Wayne – “Only”
Rae Sremmurd f/ Nicki Minaj and Young Thug – “Throw Sum Mo”
The Weeknd – “Earned It”

Centric Award
Avery Sunshine – “Call My Name”
Jazmine Sullivan f/ Meek Mill – “Dumb”
Mark Ronson f/ Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”
Sam Smith f/ Mary J. Blige – “Stay With Me”
The Weeknd – “Earned It”

Best International Act: Africa
AKA (South Africa)
Fally Ipupa (Dr Congo)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Sauti Sol (Kenya)
Stonebwoy (Ghana)
The Soil (South Africa)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)

Best International Act: UK
FKA twigs
Fuse ODG
Lethal Bizzle
Little Simz
Mnek Stormzy