Rapper Drake Nominated for 12 BET Awards [UPI]

LOS ANGELES, May 14 (UPI) — Canadian rapper Drake was nominated Tuesday for 12 BET Awards, including Best Male Hip Hop Artist and Video of the Year.

Kendrick Lamar and 2 Chainz followed close behind with eight nominations apiece.

A$AP Rocky earned five nominations, while Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake and Miguel each scored four nominations.

Many of the nominees for the top prize of Video of the Year collaborated with Drake.

Up for the award are 2 Chainz featuring Drake for “No Lie;” A$AP Rocky featuring Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar for “Problems;” Drake for “Started From the Bottom;” Drake featuring Lil Wayne for “HYFR;” Kendrick Lamar featuring Drake for “Poetic Justice;” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz for “Thrift Shop;” Miguel for “Adorn;” Rihanna for “Diamonds;” Justin Timberlake featuring Jay-Z for “Suit & Tie;” and Kanye West featuring Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz for “Mercy.”

Chris Brown and R. Kelly were the first performers announced for the June 30 ceremony at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles.

Comedian Chris Tucker is to serve as host of the star-studded event.

“This year’s line-up of nominees and performers is reflective of the variety of fantastic talent that’s rocking the world right now,” Stephen G. Hill, BET’s president of music programming and specials, said in a statement Tuesday. “We are especially excited as we move on up to the Nokia Theatre at LA Live. You know how we do. Big thangs shall indeed be poppin’. The BET Awards. Anything can happen… and most likely will.”

Read more at UPI.com.