Solidifying his comeback, Chris Brown is a frontrunner for the 2011 BET Awards, leading the pack of hip-hop, soul and R&B artists with six nominations, including Best Male R&B Artist.
Last year, Brown stole the show, emerging from his post-Rihanna fallout to perform a medley of Michael Jackson hits in honor of the late pop icon. The performance prompted a turn in the media attention Brown had been receiving up until then, with the focus changing from his 2009 assault on Rihanna, to his teary-eyed rendition of 'Man in the Mirror.'
Since then, Brown has put out No. 1 hit after hit, starting with the sultry, break-up song 'Deuces,' featuring Young Money's Tyga, which is one of two Breezy songs nominated in the Best Collaboration category. The other track, 'Look at Me Now' featuring Lil Wayne and the quick-lipped Busta Rhymes, has racked up 44-million hits on YouTube in months, and is also up for Video of the Year and Viewers' Choice. Brown was also recognized for his role in the bank heist flick 'Takers' with a Best Actor nomination.
Lil Wayne follows with five nominations, three of which are connected to his feature on Breezy's 'Look at Me Now.' He is also up for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist and Viewers' Choice for '6 Foot 7 Foot.'
Rihanna snagged four nominations, as did Kanye West. However, her biggest competition is Brown, who she is up against in the Viewers' Choice category. She also faces her former flame in the Best Collaboration category where she snagged two nods, like Brown, for 'What's My Name?' and her feature on West's 'All of the Lights.' RiRi squares off against Beyonce, Marsha Ambrosius, Keri Hilson and Jennifer Hudson in the Best Female R&B Artist category.
Nicki Minaj, also honored in the Viewers' Choice category for 'Moment 4 Life,' is up for Best Female Hip Hop Artist along with former Crime Mob member Diamond, Master P's daughter Cymphonique, and D.C. raptress Lola Monroe.
Bruno Mars, Wiz Khalifa, J.Cole, Miguel and Willow Smith will duke it out in the Best New Artist category. Other nominees include Waka Flocka Flame, Trey Songz, B.o.B and Cee Lo.
The 2011 BET Awards will be hosted by comedian Kevin Hart and air live on the network from Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium on June 26.
Full List Of Nominees
Best Female R&B Artist
Beyoncé
Marsha Ambrosius
Keri Hilson
Jennifer Hudson
Rihanna
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
B.o.B
Drake
Lil Wayne
Rick Ross
Kanye West
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Nicki Minaj
Diamond
Cymphonique
LoLa Monroe
Best Male R&B Artist
Chris Brown
Cee Lo Green
Bruno Mars
Trey Songz
Usher
Best Group
Diddy-Dirty Money
Cali Swag District
N.E.R.D.
New Boyz
Travis Porter
Best Collaboration
B.o.B f/ Hayley Williams – “Airplanes”
Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes – “Look at Me Now”
Chris Brown f/ Tyga & Kevin McCall – “Deuces”
Waka Flocka Flame f/ Roscoe Dash & Wale – “No Hands”
Rihanna f/ Drake – “What’s My Name?”
Kanye West f/ Rihanna – “All of the Lights”
Video of the Year
Marsha Ambrosius – “Far Away”
B.o.B. f/ Hayley Williams of Paramore – “Airplanes”
Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes – “Look at Me Now”
Keri Hilson – “Pretty Girl Rock”
Willow Smith – “Whip My Hair”
Kanye West f/ Pusha T – “Runaway”
Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Mr. Boomtown
Chris Robinson
Kanye West
Hype Williams
Best New Artist
J. Cole
Bruno Mars
Miguel
Willow Smith
Wiz Khalifa
Best Gospel
Byron Cage
Deitrick Haddon
Mary Mary
Karen Clark Sheard
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Best Actress
Halle Berry
Taraji P. Henson
Regina King
Zoe Saldana
Kerry Washington
Best Actor
Laz Alonso
Chris Brown
Don Cheadle
Idris Elba
Jamie Foxx
YoungStars Award
Shenell Edmonds
Keke Palmer
Diggy Simmons
Jaden Smith
Willow Smith
Best Movie
Death at a Funeral
For Colored Girls
Takers
The Book of Eli
Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too?
Sportswoman of the Year
Tamika Catchings
Candice Dupree
Maya Moore
Serena Williams
Venus Williams
Sportsman of the Year
Carmelo Anthony
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Derrick Rose
Michael Vick
Viewer’s Choice Award
Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes – “Look at Me Now”
Lil Wayne f/ Cory Gunz – “6 Foot 7 Foot”
Mindless Behavior – “My Girl”
Nicki Minaj f/ Drake – “Moment 4 Life”
Rihanna f/ Drake – “What’s My Name”
Trey Songz f/ Nicki Minaj – “Bottoms Up”
Centric Award
Marsha Ambrosius
Eric Benet
Cee-Lo Green
R. Kelly
Kem
Best International Act: U.K.
VV Brown
Chipmunk
Laura Izibor
Skepta
Tinchy Stryder
Tinie Tempah
Best International Act: Africa
2Face Idibia (Nigeria)
D’Banj (Nigeria)
D-Black (Ghana)
Angelique Kidjo (Benin)
Fally Ipupa (Congo DR)
Teargas (South Africa)