Drake leads the nominations for this year's BET Awards with nine nods.
The 29-year-old singer's career is going from strength to strength, with the acknowledgment of his success in the list of BET nominations, released on Thursday (19May16), the latest indication. Among the categories Drake is nominated in are Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Video of the Year for Hotline Bling and Work, his duet with Rihanna, which is also up for Best Collaboration.
He faces some tough competition in all of the categories he features in, particularly for Best Male Hip Hop Artist, in which he will have to beat Fetty Wap, Future, J. Cole, Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar to take home the prize.
Beyonce and Rihanna received five nominations each for the awards, which take place on 26 June (16) in Los Angeles. Both are up for the Best Female R&B/Pop Artist gong, alongside Adele, Andra Day and K. Michelle, while they will also compete for Video of the Year with their respective Formation and Work videos, the Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award and Best Collaboration.
Away from music, Scandal star Kerry Washington, Empire's Taraji P. Henson and How To Get Away With Murder's Viola Davis are nominated for the Best Actress award, alongside Black-ish star Tracee Ellis Ross and former She's All That actress Gabrielle Union for Being Mary Jane.
Anthony Anderson, Courtney B. Vance, Idris Elba, Michael B. Jordan and O'Shea Jackson Jr. are all up for the Best Actor gong, while Amandla Stenberg, Quvenzhane Wallis, Silento, Willow Smith and Yara Shahidi will compete for the YoungStars Award.
The Best Movie category is another strong one, with critically-acclaimed movies Straight Outta Compton, Creed, Beasts of No Nation, Concussion and Dope all fighting for the top spot.
The BET Awards, established by the Black Entertainment Television network, recognises African Americans and other minorities in the music, acting and sporting fields.
The full list of nominations for the BET Awards 2016 is:
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Adele
Andra Day
Beyonce
K. Michelle
Rihanna
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Bryson Tiller
Chris Brown
Jeremih
The Weeknd
Tyrese
Best Group
2 Chainz & Lil Wayne
Drake & Future
Puff Daddy & The Family
Rae Sremmurd
The Internet
Best Collaboration
Big Sean ft. Chris Brown & Ty Dolla $ign - Play No Games
Big Sean ft. Kanye West & John Legend - One Man Can Change the World
Future ft. Drake - Where Ya At
Nicki Minaj ft. Beyonce - Feeling Myself
Rihanna ft. Drake - Work
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Drake
Fetty Wap
Future
J. Cole
Kanye West
Kendrick Lamar
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Dej Loaf
Lil Kim
Missy Elliott
Nicki Minaj
Remy Ma
Video of the Year
Beyonce - Formation
Bryson Tiller - Don't
Drake - Hotline Bling
Kendrick Lamar - Alright
Rihanna ft. Drake - Work
Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Chris Brown
Colin Tilly & The Little Homies
Director X
Hype Williams
Best New Artist
Alessia Cara
Andra Day
Bryson Tiller
Kehlani
Tory Lanex
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
Anthony Brown & Group Therapy
Erica Campbell
Kirk Franklin
Lecrae
Tamela Mann
Tasha Cobbs
Best Actress
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington
Taraji P. Henson
Tracee Ellis Ross
Viola Davis
Best Actor
Anthony Anderson
Courtney B. Vance
Idris Elba
Michael B. Jordan
O'Shea Jackson Jr.
YoungStars Award
Amandla Stenberg
Quvenzhane Wallis
Silento
Willow Smith
Yara Shahidi
Best Movie
Beasts of No Nation
Concussion
Creed
Dope
Straight Outta Compton
Sportswoman of the Year
Cheyenne Woods
Gabrielle Douglas
Serena Williams
Skylar Diggins
Venus Williams
Sportsman of the Year
Cam Newton
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Odell Beckham Jr.
Stephen Curry
Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
Beyonce – Formation
Bryson Tiller – Don't
Chris Brown – Back To Sleep
Drake – Hotline Bling
Future ft. Drake - Where Ya At
Rihanna ft. Drake – Work
Centric Award
Andra Day - Rise Up
Beyonce – Formation
K. Michelle – Not A Little Bit
Rihanna - BBHMM
The Internet - Under Control
Best International Act Africa
AKA (South Africa)
Black Coffee (South Africa)
Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Mzvee (Ghana)
Serge Beynaud (Cote D’Ivoire)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
Best International Act UK
Kano
Krept & Konan
Lianne La Havas
Skepta
Stormzy
Tinie Tempah
