TV NEWS: BET AWARD NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED

YES, IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN. BUY YOUR POPCORN PACKS; I’M SURE YOU CAN FIND A NICE SALE AT YOUR LOCAL RETAILER. MARK THE DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR & COP A SQUAT IN FRONT OF THE TV. THAT IS, IF YOU’RE INTO THAT KIND OF THING. HONESTLY, I HAVENT WATCHED AN AWARDS SHOW IN A LONG TIME, ON BET AT LEAST. THEY HAVEN’T KEPT ME INTERESTED FOR THEIR 3 HOUR DURATION. I HOPE THIS IS A MEMORABLE ONE, FOR ALL OF THE RIGHT REASONS. I’LL CATCH THE RERUN. HAHA. ENJOY

Beyonce, T.I. Nominated For BET Awards

May 14, 2009 02:03 PM ET

Mariel Concepcion, N.Y.

BET announced Tuesday (May 12) the host, nominees, performers and honorees for the 2009 BET awards during the taping of the network's music video countdown show "106 & Park." Hosted by actor/singer Jamie Foxx, the event will be held in Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium and will air on the network on June 28th at 8 p.m.

Leading the nominations with five nods each are Beyonce and T.I., the former in the running for Video of the Year for "Single Ladies" and "If I Were A Boy," Best Female R&B Artist (in which she competes against Keri Hilson, Keyshia Cole, Jennifer Hudson and Jazmine Sullivan), Best Actress and Viewers Choice, and the latter vying for Best Collaboration for "Live Your Life" with Rihanna and "Ain't I" with Yung L.A. and Young Dro, Best Male Hip-Hop Artist and Video of the Year for "Live Your Life."

Lil Wayne and T-Pain received four nominations apiece. T-Pain will square off with The-Dream, Ryan Leslie, Ne-Yo and Jamie Fox for Best Male R&B Artist, while Wayne is up against T.I., Kanye West, Young Jeezy and Rick Ross for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist. Meanwhile, Keir Hilson will compete for three awards, including Best Female R&B artist and Best Collaboration.

The nominees for some of the other popular categories included: Day 26, GS Boys, N.E.R.D., The Roots and Three 6 Mafia for best group; Keri Hilson, Kid Cudi, Ryan Leslie, M.I.A. and Jazmine Sullivan for Best New Artist; and Musiq Soulchild, Raphael Saadiq, Seal, Solange and Jazmine Sullivan for the BET J Award.

"It's a big deal for us because I feel like there are more 'different' in the world than 'the same,' and the different is not always that easily celebrated," N.E.R.D.'s Pharrell, who is nominated for Best Group, said during the taping. "It's a blessing, and we really appreciate it and are humbled by it," Que from Day 26, who were also nominated in the category, said.

Among the night's confirmed performers are Beyonce, Maxwell and Ne-Yo. The latter will be searching for a background dancer to perform with him during the show by way of the "Bringing It To The Awards" competition on BET.com. Contestants can enter from May 6 - June 4 on the site.

Additionally, the legendary O'Jays will be presented the Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Here are the nominees and categories for the 2009 BET Awards:

Best Male R&B:

The-Dream

Jamie Foxx

Ryan Leslie

Ne-Yo

T-Pain

Best Female R&B Artist:

Beyonce

Keyshia Cole

Keri Hilson

Jennifer Hudson

Jazmine Sullivan

Best Group:

Day 26

GS Boyz

N.E.R.D.

The Roots

Three 6 Mafia

Best Gospel Artist:

Regina Belle

Shirley Caesar

Mary Mary

Smokie Norful

Trin-I-Tee 5:7

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist:

Lil Mama

M.I.A.

Trina

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist:

Lil Wayne

Rick Ross

T.I.

Kanye West

Young Jeezy

Best New Artist:

Keri Hilson

Kid Cudi

Ryan Leslie

Champagne

M.I.A.

Jazmine Sullivan

Best Collaboration:

Jamie Foxx feat. T-Pain, "Blame It"

Keri Hilson feat. Lil Wayne, "Turnin Me On"

Jim Jones feat. Ron Browz and Juelz Santana, "Pop Champagne"

T.I. feat Rihanna, "Live Your Life"

Yung LA feat. Young Dro and T.I., "Ain't I"

Video Director of the Year:

Benny Boom

Rik Cordero

Gil Green

Chris Robinson

Hype Williams

Video of the Year:

Beyonce, "If I Were A Boy"

Beyonce, " Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"

Jamie Foxx f/ T-Pain, " Blame It"

T.I. f/ Rihanna, " Live Your Life"

Kanye West, " Heartless"

Best Actress:

Rosario Dawson

Taraji P. Henson

Angela Bassett

Jennifer Hudson

Beyonce Knowles

Best Actor:

Common

Idris Elba

Samuel L. Jackson

Will Smith

Jamal Woolard

Best Female Athlete:

Tamika Catchings

Lisa Leslie

Candace Parker

Serena Williams

Venus Williams

Best Male Athlete:

Kobe Bryant

Reggie Bush

LeBron James

Dwyane Wade

Tiger Woods

Viewer's Choice Nominees:

Beyonce, "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"

Keri Hilson, "Turnin Me On (f/ Lil Wayne)"

Lil Wayne, "A Milli"

Soulja Boy Tell'em, "Kiss Me Thru The Phone (f/ Sammie)"

T.I., "Live Your Life (f/ Rihanna)"

T-Pain, "Can't Believe It (f/ Lil Wayne)"

Kanye West, "Love Lockdown"

BET J Award Nominees:

Musiq Soulchild

Raphael Saadiq

Seal

Solange

Jazmine Sullivan

SOURCE: BET.com

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http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/-1003973266.story