Drake will carry a leading seven nominations into Sunday evening’s presentation of the 2024 BET Awards in downtown Los Angeles, including nods for album of the year and best male R&B/pop artist.
He will compete in the R&B/pop artist category with Brent Faiyaz, Bryson Tiller, Burna Boy, Chris Brown, Fridayy, October London and Usher.
Drake is in the album of the year category with “For All the Dogs (Scary Hours Edition).” Also nominated are Chris Brown for “11:11,” Gunna for “A Gift & A Curse,” 21 Savage for “American Dream,” Usher for “Coming Home,” Victoria Monét for “Jaguar II,” Killer Mike for “Michael” and Nicki Minaj for “Pink Friday 2.”
The BET Awards are billed as “Culture’s Biggest Night” honoring Black excellence in music, film and sports.
Competing for best female R&B/pop artist will be Beyoncé, Coco Jones, Doja Cat, H.E.R., Muni Long, SZA, Tyla and Victoria Monét.
Following Drake’s seven nominations, Nicki Minaj has six. J. Cole, Sexyy Red, SZA and Victoria Monét each have five nominations, while 21 Savage, Beyoncé, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, Tyla and Usher are tied with four nominations each.
During the ceremony at the Peacock Theater, Usher will receive the Lifetime Achievement BET Award.
“From his chart-topping hits, electrifying performances, and unforgettable vocals to his signature moves and sound, Usher continues to stand on culture, setting new standards for the music industry and Black Excellence,” Connie Orlando, BET vice president for special, music programming and music strategy, said in a statement announcing the honor. “We look forward to creating an amazing lineup to pay tribute to our global icon.”
Previous recipients of the honor include Whitney Houston, Prince, Queen Latifah, Anita Baker, Mary J. Blige, Samuel Jackson, Lionel Richie, New Edition and Busta Rhymes.
Will Smith — whose last appearance at a major awards show saw him storm on stage at the Oscars and slap comedian Chris Rock — is among those scheduled to perform at the event. Also expected to take state age GloRilla, Ice Spice, Latto, Ms. Lauryn Hill &YG Marley, Muni Long, Sexyy Red, Shaboozey, Tyla and Victoria Monét.
Taraji P. Henson will be the host.
Here is a complete list of nominees:
Album of the Year
Chris Brown, “11:11”
Gunna, “A Gift & A Curse”
21 Savage, “American Dream”
Usher, “Coming Home”
Drake, “For All the Dogs (Scary Hours Edition)”
Victoria Monét, “Jaguar II”
Killer Mike, “Michael”
Nicki Minaj, “Pink Friday 2”
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
Coco Jones
Doja Cat
H.E.R.
Muni Long
SZA
Tyla
Victoria Monét
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Brent Faiyaz
Bryson Tiller
Burna Boy
Chris Brown
Drake
Fridayy
October London
Usher
Best Group
Y$, Ye, Ty Dolla $ign
2 Chainz & Lil Wayne
41
Blxst & Bino Rideaux
City Girls
Flo
Maverick City Music
Wanmor
Best Collaboration
Lil Durk feat. J. Cole, “All My Life”
Beyoncé feat. Kendrick Lamar, “America Has a Problem (Remix)”
Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice (With Aqua), “Barbie World”
Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion, “Bongos”
Y$, Ye, Ty Dolla $ign feat. Rich The Kid, Playboi Carti, “Carnival”
Lola Brooke feat. Latto & Yung Miami, “Don’t Play With It (Remix)”
Nicki Minaj feat. Lil Uzi Vert, “Everybody”
Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage, “Good Good”
Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA, “Rich Baby Daddy”
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist   Â
Cardi B
Doja Cat
GloRilla
Ice Spice
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Sexyy Red
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
21 Savage
Burna Boy
Drake
Future
Gunna
J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar
Lil Wayne
Best New Artist
41
4Batz
Ayra Starr
Bossman Dlow
Fridayy
October London
Sexyy Red
Tyla
Video of the Year     Â
Doja Cat, “Agora Hills”
Lil Durk feat J. Cole, “All My Life”
Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice (With Aqua), “Barbie World”
Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion, “Bongos”
Drake feat. J. Cole, “First Person Shooter”
Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage, “Good Good”
Victoria Monét, “On My Mama”
Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA, “Rich Baby Daddy”
Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Child.
Cole Bennett
Dave Meyers
Janelle Monáe & Alan Ferguson
Offset
Tems
Tyler, The Creator
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
Shirley Caesar, “Award All of the Glory”
Kirk Franklin, “All Things”
Halle Bailey, “Angel”
CeCe Winans, “Come Jesus Come”
Erica Campbell, Do You Believe in Love?”
Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore, “God Problems”
Tems, “Me & U”
Kirk Franklin, “Try Love”
Viewer’s Choice Award
Doja Cat, “Agora Hills” Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Lil Durk feat. J. Cole, “All My Life”
Gunna, “Fukumean”                                                 Â
Jack Harlow, “Lovin on Me”
Muni Long, “Made for Me”                                                 Â
Victoria Monét, “On My Mama”                                          Â
Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA, “Rich Baby Daddy”
Chris Brown feat. Davido & Lojay, “Sensational”   Â
Beyoncé, “Texas Hold âEm”                                                Â
Tyla, “Water”                                                          Â
Best International Act
Asake (Africa)
Aya Nakamura (France)
Ayra Starr (Africa)
Bk’ (Brazil)
Cleo Sol (UK)
Focalistic (Africa)
Karol Conká (Brazil)
Raye (UK)
Tiakola (France)
Tyla (Africa)
Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act
Bellah (UK)
Cristale (UK)
Duquesa (Brazil)
Holly G (France)
Jungeli (France)
Makhadzi (Africa)
Oruam (Brazil)
Seyi Vibez (Africa)
Tyler Icu (Africa)
BET Her
Beyoncé, “16 Carriages”
Nicki Minaj feat. Tasha Cobbs Leonard, “Blessings”
Ayra Starr, “Commas”
Flo feat. Missy Elliott, “Fly Girl”
Megan Thee Stallion, “Hiss”
Victoria Monét, “On My Mama”
SZA, “Saturn”
GloRilla, “Yeah Glo!”
Best Movie
“American Fiction”
“Bob Marley: One Love”
“Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé”
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
“The Book of Clarence”
“The Color Purple”
“The Equalizer 3”
“The Little Mermaid”
Best Actor
Anthony Mackie
Colman Domingo
Damson Idris
Denzel Washington
Donald Glover
Idris Elba
Jeffrey Wright
Lakeith Stanfield
Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Ayo Edebiri
Coco Jones
Danielle Brooks
Fantasia
Halle Bailey
Issa Rae
Regina King
YoungStars Award  Â
Akira Akbar
Blue Ivy Carter
Demi Singleton
Heiress Diana Harris
Jabria McCullum
Jalyn Hall
Leah Jeffries
Van Van
Sportswoman of the Year Award
A’ja Wilson
Angel Reese
Coco Gauff
Flau’jae Johnson
Juju Watkins
Naomi Osaka
Sha’carri Richardson
Simone Biles
Sportsman of the Year Award
Anthony Edwards
Gervonta Davis
Jalen Brunson
Jalen Hurts
Kyrie Irving
Lebron James
Patrick Mahomes
Stephen Curry