Black Entertainment Television celebrates African Americans in music, television, films, sports, and videos at the 2015 Road to the BET Awards in the Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles, California on Sunday, June 28. The awards show begins at 8 p.m. ET. It can be livestreamed at the official BET website. 2015 honorees are Janet Jackson, Smokey Robinson, and Tom Joyner. Christianity Daily compiled a list of the 2015 nominees in 20 different categories.
The 15th annual BET Awards are hosted by actor Anthony Anderson and actress Tracee Ellis Ross from the ABC sitcom "Black-ish.' Winners receive the BET Award Trophy, a plated steel and black crystal trophy that was inspires celebrities to aspire, ascend, and to achieve. Performers for the event are The Weeknd, Fetty Wap, Ciara, cast of "Empire,' Silento, Jason Derulo, Donnie McClurkin, Tinashe, Ne-Yo, Tyga, Kendrick Lamar, Robin Thicke, Nicki Minaj, Janelle Monae, Meek Mill, E-40, Gary Clark Jr., Tori Kelly, Omarion, and Anthony Hamilton.
The 20 categories for the 2015 awards show are Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, Best Group, Best Collaboration, Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Best Female Hip Hop Artist, Best International Act: Africa, Best International Act: UK, Coca-Cola Viewers' Choice Award, Best Actor, Youngstars Award, Best Movie, Sportsman of the Year, Sportswoman of the Year, Centric Award, Video of the Year, Video Director of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Gospel Artist, and Best Actress.
List of Nominees:
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist: Beyonce, Janelle Monae, Jhene Aiko, Ciara, Rihanna
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist: Chris Brown, Trey Songz, The Weeknd, August Alsina, Usher, John Legend
Best Group: A$AP Mob, Migos, Rae Sremmurd, Rich Gang, Young Money
Best Collaboration: "Loyal" by Chris Brown ft. Lil Wayne & Tyga, "IDFWU" by Big Sean ft. E-40, "No Love (Remix)" by August Alsina ft. Nicki Minaj, "Glory" by Common & John Legend, "New Flame" by Chris Brown ft. Usher & Rick
Best Male Hip Hop Artist: Kendrick Lamar, Common, Big Sean, Drake, J. Cole
Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Azealia Banks, Dej Loaf, Iggy Azalea, Nicki Minaj, Tink
Best International Act (Africa): AKA (South Africa), Stonebwoy (Ghana), Sarkodie (Ghana), Fally Ipupa (DRC), Sauti Sol (Kenya), Wizkid (Nigeria), The Soil (South Africa), Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
Best International Act (UK): FKA Twigs, Fuse ODG, Lethal Bizzle, Little Simz, Mnek, Stormzy
Coca-Cola Viewers' Choice Award: "Throw Sum Mo" by Rae Sremmurd ft. Nicki Minaj & Young Thug, "Try Me" by Def Loaf, "I" by Kendrick Lamar, "7/11" by Beyonce, "Only" by Nicki Minaj ft. Drake, Lil Wayne, & Chris Brown, "Earned It" by The Weeknd
Best Actor: Anthony Anderson, Idris Elba, Jussie Smollet, Kevin Hart, Terrence Howard
Youngstars Award: Jacob Latimore, Jaden Smith, Mo'ne Davis, Quvenzhane Wallis, Zendaya
Best Movie: "Annie,' "Beyond the Lights,' "Selma,' Think Like A Man Too,' "Top Five'
Sportsman of the Year: Chris Paul, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Lebron James, Marshawn Lynch, Stephen Curry
Sportswoman of the Year: Britney Griner, Candace Parker, Serena Williams, Skylar Diggins, Venus Williams
Centric Award: "Call My Name" by Avery Sunshine, "Dumb" by Jazmine Sullivan ft. Meek Mill, "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars, "Stay with Me" by Sam Smith ft. Mary J. Blige, "Earned It" by The Weeknd
Video of the Year: "7/11" by Beyonce, "IDFWU" by Big Sean ft. E-40, "Loyal" by Chris Brown ft. Lil Wayne & Tyga, "New Flame" by Chris Brown ft. Usher & Rick Ross, "Glory" by Common & John Legend
Video Director of the Year: Benny Boom, Beyonce, Ed Burke & Todd Tourso, Chris Robinson, Fatima Robinson, Hype Williams
Best New Artist: Bobby Shmurda, Def Loaf, Fetty Wap, Rae Sremmurd, Sam Smith
Best Gospel Artist: Michelle Williams, Erica Campbell, Deitrick Haddon, Fred Hammond, Mali Music, Lecrae
Best Actress: Gabrielle Union, Kerry Washington, Tracee Ellis Ross, Taraji P. Henson, Viola Davis