[Photos] The Inside Scoop on this Year’s BET Awards 12

This year the BET AWARDS 12 (#BETAWARDS) will be ‘Too Big To Miss.’  Earlier today at a press conference held in BET’s New York studios, it was announced that actor Samuel L. Jackson, declared the highest grossing movie actor of all time according to the Guinness Book of World Records, will be this year’s BET Awards host.   In addition, the members of Maze featuring Frankie Beverly were announced to be the prestigious recipients of the ‘Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award;’ and Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj were revealed as the first confirmed performers.

Respectfully labeled as one of the hardest working actors in Hollywood, Samuel L. Jackson is an undisputed star as demonstrated in the fact that his films have grossed the most money in box office sales than any other actor in the history of filmmaking.   Currently, the Oscar-nominated actor is on screen in “The Avengers,” which is part of his 9-picture deal with Marvel Studios.  The highly anticipated film opened on May 4, 2012 to a record shattering $200 million opening weekend.

On hand from BET’s NYC studios to announce the nominees for the BET Awards 12 were Mindless Behavior, Big Sean, Melanie Fiona, DJ Khaled, Astro, A$AP Rocky and Diggy, along with the Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award honorees Maze featuring Frankie Beverly.

[Above: Stephen G. Hill, President of Music Programming and Specials]

The BET AWARDS is one of the most watched award shows on cable television according to the Nielsen Company.  The BET AWARDS franchise remains as the #1 program in cable TV history among African-Americans, and it is BET’s #1 telecast every year.  It recognizes the triumphs and successes of artists, entertainers and athletes in 20 categories.  Leading the pack of A-list talent this year is Kanye West with an impressive 7 Nominations: Best Collaboration, Video Director of the Year, and 5 notable nominations for ‘The Throne’ with Jay-Z.  ‘The Throne’ received nominations for Best Group, Best Collaboration ft. Otis Redding, Coca-Cola Viewers Choice and 2 nods for Video of the Year for “N*ggas in Paris” and “Otis.”  Close behind is Beyoncé with 6 Nominations: Best Female R&B Artist, Best Collaboration, Video Director of the Year, Coca-Cola Viewers Choice and 2 nods for Video of the Year for “Countdown” and “Love on Top.”

“We are massively excited about having Sam Jackson, the world’s biggest box office star, host the BET Awards,” said Stephen G. Hill, President of Music Programming and Specials, BET Networks. “His wit, presence and gigantic personality are the perfect match for our show.”  “We have many more acts to come,” added Hill, “but we’re proud to have the dynamic Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj as our first-announced performers. The Shrine Auditorium will be shaking for the R&B stalwarts Maze featuring Frankie Beverly as they receive the Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award.  We’re just getting started and already the show is living up to its slogan: it’s too big to miss.”

The nominees for The BET Awards 12 are:

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
Wretch 32

The BET Awards 12 will take place July 1, 2012 at Los Angeles’ Historic Shrine Auditorium and will air Tuesday, July 3rd, at 8 p.m. EST. Stay tuned for more details! P.S. Another confirmed performance will be a tribute to the late Whitney Houston, along with the ‘Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award’ being presented to Maze featuring Frankie Beverly.

-W.Davidson