After a socially distanced ceremony in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the BET Awards will return to a live ceremony Sunday evening at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles, with rappers Megan Thee Stallion and DaBaby leading the pack with seven nominations each.
Actress Taraji P. Henson will host Sunday’s show, and musician and actress Queen Latifah will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement BET Award.
“For more than 20 years, the BET Awards have been a celebration of Black creativity, art and excellence,” Henson said. “Returning live, this year’s show will be unlike anything we have ever seen before, and I am honored to be sharing the stage with so many powerful and prolific women in music and entertainment. The BET Awards will once again be at the forefront of Black culture.”
Megan Thee Stallion’s seven nominations are for Best Female Hip Hop Artist, Video of the Year (“WAP”), Album of the Year (“Good News”), Viewer’s Choice Award (twice) and Best Collaboration (also twice, for her work with DaBaby (“Cry Baby”) and Cardi B (“WAP”).
DaBaby’s nominations are for Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Album of the Year (“Blame it on Baby”), Viewer’s Choice Award, and four nods for Best Collaboration (with Roddy Ricch for “Rockstar,” Megan Thee Stallion for “Cry Baby,” Smoke & Lil Baby for “For The Night,” and Jack Harlow Tory Lanez & Lil Wayne for “Whats Poppin-Remix”).
Other leading nominees include Cardi B and Drake with five each.
Performing on the show will be Andra Day, City Girls, DaBaby, DJ Khaled, Griselda, H.E.R., Jazmine Sullivan, Just Blaze, Kirk Franklin, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Mereba, Migos, Moneybagg Yo!, Rapsody, Roddy Ricch and Tone Stith.
The ceremony will also include a tribute to rapper DMX, who died April 9 at the age of 50 following a heart attack. The tribute will include Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Griselda and Michael K. Williams.
The 21st annual BET Awards will be broadcast at 8 p.m. on BET. It will also air live at 5 p.m. on BET Her, Logo, MTV, MTV2, TV Land and VH1.
Here is a complete list of nominees:
–Album of the Year
The Weeknd, After Hours
DaBaby, Blame It On Baby
Megan Thee Stallion, Good News
Jazmine Sullivan, Heaux Tales
Nas, King’s Disease
Chloe x Halle, Ungodly Hour
–Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
H.E.R.
Jazmine Sullivan
Jhené Aiko
Summer Walker
SZA
–Male R&B/Pop Artist
6LACK
Anderson .Paak
Chris Brown
Giveon
Tank
The Weeknd
–Female Hip-Hop Artist
Cardi B
Coi Leray
Doja Cat
Megan Thee Stallion
Latto
Saweetie
–Male Hip-Hop Artist
DaBaby
Drake
J. Cole
Jack Harlow
Lil Baby
Pop Smoke
–New Artist
Coi Leray
Flo Milli
Giveon
Jack Harlow
Latto
Pooh Shiesty
–Best Group
21 Savage & Metro Boomin
Chloe x Halle
Chris Brown & Young Thug
City Girls
Migos
Silk Sonic
–Best Collaboration
“WAP” (Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion)
“Rockstar” (DaBaby feat. Roddy Ricch)
“Popstar” (DJ Khaled feat. Drake)
“Whats Poppin (Remix)” (Jack Harlow feat. DaBaby, Tory Lanez & Lil Wayne)
“Cry Baby” (Megan Thee Stallion feat. DaBaby)
“For the Night” (Pop Smoke feat. Lil Baby & DaBaby)
–Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
“In Jesus Name,” Bebe Winans
“Never Lost,” Cece Winans
“Hold Us Together,” H.E.R.
“Strong God,” Kirk Franklin
“Thank You for It All,” Marvin Sapp
“Touch From You,” Tamela Mann
–BET Her Award
“So Done,” Alicia Keys feat. Khalid
“Baby Mama,” Brandy feat. Chance the Rapper
“Anti Queen,” Bri Steves
“Baby Girl,” Chloe x Halle
“Rooted,” Ciara feat. Ester Dean
“Good Days,” SZA
–Best International Act
Aya Nakamura (France)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Emicida (Brazil)
Headie One (UK)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Young T & Bugsey (UK)
Youssoupha (France)
–Viewer’s Choice Award
“WAP,” Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion
“Go Crazy,” Chris Brown & Young Thug
“Rockstar,” DaBaby feat. Roddy Ricch
“Popstar,” DJ Khaled feat. Drake
“Laugh Now Cry Later,” Drake feat. Lil Durk
“The Bigger Picture,” Lil Baby
“Savage (Remix),” Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé
“Leave the Door Open,” Silk Sonic
–Video Of The Year
“Up,” Cardi B
“WAP,” Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion
“Do It,” Chloe x Halle
“Go Crazy,” Chris Brown & Young Thug
“Laugh Now Cry Later,” Drake feat. Lil Durk
“Leave the Door Open,” Silk Sonic
–Video Director Of The Year
Benny Boom
Bruno Mars and Florent Déchard
Cole Bennett
Colin Tilley
Dave Meyers
Hype Williams
–Best Movie
“Coming 2 America”
“Judas and the Black Messiah”
“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
“One Night in Miami”
“Soul”
“The United States vs. Billie Holiday”
–Best Actress
Andra Day
Angela Bassett
Issa Rae
Jurnee Smollett
Viola Davis
Zendaya
–Best Actor
Aldis Hodge
Chadwick Boseman
Damson Idris
Daniel Kaluuya
Eddie Murphy
Lakeith Stanfield
–Youngstars Award
Alex R. Hibbert
Ethan Hutchison
Lonnie Chavis
Marsai Martin
Michael Epps
Storm Reid
–Sportsman Of The Year
Kyrie Irving
LeBron James
Patrick Mahomes
Russell Westbrook
Russell Wilson
Stephen Curry
–Sportswoman Of The Year
A’ja Wilson
Candace Parker
Claressa Shields
Naomi Osaka
Serena Williams
Skylar Diggins-Smith