BET Awards 2012 Nominations: Beyonce, Chris Brown, Drake & Nicki Minaj Earn Nods

BETThe 2012 BET Awards nominees have been announced and the categories feature a wealth of hip-hop and R&B artists that have commanded radio play, graced stages around the world and been featured extensively at events over the last year. The awards show also gives trophies to athletes, actors and actresses for their outstanding achievements.

Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj, who are confirmed to perform at the ceremony, earned nods with the crooner scoring a Best Male R&B Artist, Viewers' Choice Award ("Turn Up the Music") and Video Director of the Year nomination while the rapper landed a spot in the Best Female Hip-Hop Artist category.

Beyonce lays claim to six nominations: Best Female R&B Artist, Best Collaboration for her J. Cole-assisted track "Party," Video of the Year for "Countdown" and "Love on Top,"
Video Director of the Year and Viewers' Choice Award for "Love on Top."

Drake falls under categories for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist, Best Collaboration ("I'm On One," "The Motto") and Viewers' Choice Award ("The Motto").

Samuel L. Jackson will host the 2012 BET Awards, airing live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on July 1 at 8PM.

Check out the 2012 BET Awards nominations below.

Best New Artist
A$AP Rocky
Big Sean
Diggy Simmons
Future
Meek Mill

Best Male R&B Artist
Bruno Mars
Chris Brown
Miguel
Trey Songz
Usher

Best Female R&B Artist
Beyonce
Marsha Ambrosius
Mary J. Blige
Melanie Fiona
Rihanna

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
Big Sean
Drake
J. Cole
Lil Wayne
Rick Ross
Young Jeezy

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Nicki Minaj
Diamond
Trina
Brianna Perry

Best Group
Bad Meets Evil
Diddy-Dirty Money
Maybach Music Group
Mindless Behavior
The Throne

Best Collaboration
"Party," Beyonce feat J. Cole
"Marvin & Chardonnay," Big Sean feat. Kanye West & Roscoe Dash
"I'm On One," DJ Khaled feat Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne
"The Motto," Drake feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga
"Otis," The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) feat. Otis Redding
"Lotus Flower Bomb," Wale feat Miguel

Video of the Year
"Countdown," Beyonce
"Love on Top," Beyonce
"N----s in Paris," The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West)
"Otis," The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West)
"Climax," Usher

Video Director of the Year
Beyonce and Alan Ferguson
Benny Boom
Chris Brown and Godfrey Tabarez
Kanye West
Hype Williams

Best Gospel
Fred Hammond
James Fortune & FIYA
Kim Burrell
Trin-I-Tee 5:7
Yolanda Adams

YoungStars Award
Astro
Diggy Simmons
Jacob Latimore
Keke Palmer
Willow Smith

Viewers' Choice Award
"Love on Top," Beyonce
"Turn Up the Music," Chris Brown
"The Motto, "Drake feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga
"Hello," Mindless Behavior
"Otis," The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) feat. Otis Redding
"Lotus Flower Bomb," Wale feat. Miguel

Centric Award
Common
Estelle
Robert Glasper
Robin Thicke
Tyrese

Best International Act: U.K.
Emeli Sande
Estelle
Labrinth
Sway
Wretch 32

Best International Act: Africa
Camp Mulla (Kenya)
Ice Prince (Nigeria)
Lira (South Africa)
Mokobe (Mali)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Wizkid (Nigeria)

Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Viola Davis
Taraji P. Henson
Regina King
Zoe Saldana

Best Actor
Don Cheadle
Common
Idris Elba
Kevin Hart
Denzel Washington

Best Movie
"Good Deeds"
"Jumping the Broom"
"Laugh at My Pain"
"Red Tails"
"The Help"

Sportswoman of the Year
Skylar Diggins
Candace Parker
Brittney Griner
Serena Williams
Venus Williams

Sportsman of the Year
Carmelo Anthony
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Victor Cruz
Kevin Durant