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

The 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