BET has announced the nominations for the “BET Awards” 2015. Eight contemporary African artists have been nominated for Best International Act: Africa at the prestigious awards ceremony. Repping for Africa are Aka (South Africa), The Soil (South Africa), Wizkid (Nigeria), Yemi Alade (Nigeria), Sarkodie (Ghana), Stonebwoy (Ghana), Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo) and Sauti Sol (Kenya). In addition, Tanzanian supermodel Millen Magese (Tanzania) has been awarded the inaugural ‘Global Good Award’ in recognition of her philanthropic efforts in Africa.
The BET Awards 2015 premieres simultaneously on BET (DStv channel 129) and BET2 (DStv channel 135 and GOtv channel 23) at 22:10 EAT on Tuesday 30 June.
Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj lead the BET Awards 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 ‘Viewers’ Choice Award.’ Nicki Minaj is nominated ‘Best Collaboration’, ‘Best Female Hip Hop Artist’, ‘Video of the Year’, two nominations for ‘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 ‘Viewers’ Choice Award’. Lil Wayne is nominated for ‘Best Collaboration’, ‘Video of the Year’, ‘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 at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday 28 June.
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 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.”
Added Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, VIMN Africa, “We are thrilled that African artists and achievers are once again given this global platform to celebrate their contribution to African and African-American culture through our BET Awards franchise.”
The complete list of nominees for the BET Awards 2015 are:
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)
*NEW CATEGORY* BET GLOBAL GOOD AWARD
Millen Magese (Tanzania)
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
BEST GOSPEL ARTIST
Deitrick Haddon
Erica Campbell
Fred Hammond
Lecrae
Mali Music
Michelle Williams
BEST ACTRESS
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington
Taraji P. Henson
Tracee Ellis Ross
Viola Davis
BEST ACTOR
Anthony Anderson
Idris Elba
Jussie Smollett
Kevin Hart
Terrence Howard
YOUNGSTARS AWARD
Jacob Latimore
Jaden Smith
Mo’ne Davis
Quvenzhané Wallis
Zendaya
BEST MOVIE
Annie
Beyond The Lights
Selma
Think Like A Man Too
Top Five
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Serena Williams
Skylar Diggins
Venus Williams
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
Chris Paul
Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Lebron James
Marshawn Lynch
Stephen Curry
VIEWERS’ CHOICE AWARD
Beyoncé – 7/11
Dej Loaf – Try Me
Kendrick Lamar – I
Nicki Minaj F/ Drake, Lil Wayne & Chris Brown – Only
Rae Sremmurd F/ Nicki Minaj & Young Thug – Throw Sum Mo
The Weeknd – Earned It (From The “Fifty Shades Of Grey” Soundtrack)
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 (From The “Fifty Shades Of Grey” Soundtrack)
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT: UK
FKA Twigs
Fuse Odg
Lethal Bizzle
Little Simz
Mnek
Stormzy
For more information on BET Awards 2015, visit www.dstv.com or www.gotvafrica.com.