The BET Awards are back with a live audience after last year’s virtual show. With seven nominations each, Megan Thee Stallion and DaBaby are the leading nominees at the 2021 BET Awards. The performance will be broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 27. The show will air at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET.
Cardi B and Drake are next in line with five nominations each. Anderson .Paak, Bruno Mars, Chloe X Halle, and Chris Brown follow with four nods each.
Following last year’s virtual show, the BET Awards returns this year with a live audience. Beginning today, vaccinated individuals can register here for consideration to be part of the live audience. BET says it will work closely with Los Angeles County to support community vaccination efforts and ensure adherence to COVID-19 protocols.
Cardi B has two of the six nominees for video of the year — “Up” and “WAP” [featuring Megan Thee Stallion].
DaBaby is a participant in with four of the six nominees for best collaboration. He is nominated for his work alongside Roddy Ricch [“Rockstar”], Megan Thee Stallion [“Cry Baby”], Pop Smoke & Lil Baby [“For the Night”], and Jack Harlow, Tory Lanez & Lil Wayne [“Whats Poppin- Remix”].
Megan Thee Stallion and Drake each have two of the eight nominees for the viewer’s choice award. Megan is nominated for “WAP” and the “Savage [Remix],” featuring Beyoncé. Drake is nominated for “Laugh Now Cry Later” [featuring Lil Durk] and as a featured artist on DJ Khaled’s “Popstar.” Voting for the viewer’s choice award begins on June 7.
The nominees for best new artist are Coi Leray, Flo Milli, Giveon, Jack Harlow, Latto and Pooh Shiesty. The nominees for viewer’s choice award: best new international act will be released at a later date.
The show, which is in its 21st year, bills itself “as the ultimate platform to showcase the best, brightest, and most beautiful aspects of the Black experience – celebrating Black music’s present and future, and elevating the culture and being a driving force for social change.”
Nominations are selected by BET’s “voting academy,” which is comprised of fans and a group of entertainment pros in the fields of television, film, music, social media, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations, and creative arts.
Check Out 2021 BET Awards Nominations – Full List
Album of the Year:
After Hours – The Weeknd
Blame It on Baby – DaBaby
Good News – Megan Thee Stallion
Heaux Tales – Jazmine Sullivan
King’s Disease – Nas
Ungodly Hour – Chloe X Halle
Best Female R&B / Pop Artist:
Beyoncé
H.E.R.
Jazmine Sullivan
Jhené Aiko
Summer Walker
SZA
Best Male R&B / Pop Artist:
6lack
Anderson .Paak
Chris Brown
Giveon
Tank
The Weeknd
Best female Hip Hop Artist:
Cardi B
Coi Leray
Doja Cat
Megan Thee Stallion
Latto
Saweetie
Best Male Hip Hop Artist:
DaBaby
Drake
J. Cole
Jack Harlow
Lil Baby
Pop Smoke
Best New Artist:
Coi Leray
Flo Milli
Giveon
Jack Harlow
Latto
Pooh Shiesty
Best Collaboration:
Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion – “WAP”
DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch – “Rockstar”
DJ Khaled featuring Drake – “Popstar”
Jack Harlow featuring DaBaby, Tory Lanez & Lil Wayne – “Whats Poppin [Remix]”
Megan Thee Stallion featuring DaBaby – “Cry Baby”
Pop Smoke featuring Lil Baby & DaBaby – “For the Night”
Best Group:
21 Savage & Metro Boomin
Chloe X Halle
Chris Brown & Young Thug
City Girls
Migos
Silk Sonic
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award:
Bebe Winans – “In Jesus Name”
CeCe Winans – “Never Lost”
H.E.R. – “Hold Us Together”
Kirk Franklin – “Strong God”
Marvin Sapp – “Thank You for It All”
Tamela Mann – “Touch From You”
BET HER Award:
Alicia Keys featuring Khalid – “So Done”
Brandy featuring Chance the Rapper – “Baby Mama”
Bri Steves – “Anti Queen”
Chloe X Halle – “Baby Girl”
Ciara featuring Ester Dean – “Rooted”
SZA – “Good Days”
Viewer’s Choice Award:
Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion – “WAP”
Chris Brown & Young Thug – “Go Crazy”
DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch – “Rockstar”
DJ Khaled featuring Drake – “Popstar”
Drake featuring Lil Durk – “Laugh Now Cry Later”
Lil Baby – “The Bigger Picture”
Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé – “Savage [Remix]”
Silk Sonic – “Leave the Door Open”
Video Of The Year:
Cardi B – “Up”
Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion – “WAP”
Chloe X Halle – “Do It”
Chris Brown & Young Thug – “Go Crazy”
Drake featuring Lil Durk – “Laugh Now Cry Later”
Silk Sonic – “Leave the Door Open”
Video Director of The Year:
Benny Boom
Bruno Mars & Florent Déchard
Cole Bennett
Colin Tilley
Dave Meyers
Hype Williams
Best International Act:
Aya Nakamura [France]
Burna Boy [Nigeria]
Diamond Platnumz [Tanzania]
Emicida [Brazil]
Headie One [Uk]
Wizkid [Nigeria]
Young T & Bugsey [Uk]
Youssoupha [France]
Best Movie:
Coming 2 America
Judas and the Black Messiah
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
One Night in Miami
Soul
The United States Vs. Billie Holiday
Best Actress:
Andra Day
Angela Bassett
Issa Rae
Jurnee Smollett
Viola Davis
Zendaya
Best Actor:
Aldis Hodge
Chadwick Boseman
Damson Idris
Daniel Kaluuya
Eddie Murphy
Lakeith Stanfield
Youngstars Award:
Alex R. Hibbert
Ethan Hutchison
Lonnie Chavis
Marsai Martin
Michael Epps
Storm Reid
Sportswoman Of The Year Award:
A’ja Wilson
Candace Parker
Claressa Shields
Naomi Osaka
Serena Williams
Skylar Diggins-Smith
Sportsman Of The Year Award:
Kyrie Irving
Lebron James
Patrick Mahomes
Russell Westbrook
Russell Wilson
Stephen Curry