This year’s nominations for the annual BET Awards were released this week and there have been notable shout outs for a number of UK artists. While Sam Smith is up for two awards (including ‘Best New Artist’), Little Simz, Lethal Bizzle, Fuse ODG and Stormzy are among those nominated for the prestigious ‘Best International Act (UK)’ award.
It is a great recognition for all artists involved and reflects how well the UK scene is performing overseas. Last year, Krept & Konan won the ‘Best International Act (UK)’ award, beating Rita Ora, Dizzee Rascal and Tinie Tempah. With grime and UK rap getting more and more attention from across the pond, it seems like 2015 is going to be a massive year for UK artists both here and abroad.
Stormzy was one of the first to take to Twitter to acknowledge his nomation: “I’m excited and humbled to be nominated for the ‘Best International Act: UK’ BET Award! It’s truly an honour”. The BET awards will feature Stormzy for a second time after he performed in 2014 BET UK Cypher alongside Paigey Cakey, Yungen and Dotz. Lethal Bizzle also spoke on his nomination this year, stating he was, “feeling very proud to represent the UK for such a coveted award, just to be nominated is an honour”.
Whatever this year has in store, it will serve as a great platform for all of those involved. The event itself is due to be held at the Nokia Theatre, live in Los Angeles on June 28 with the show having it’s UK premiere on Tuesday, June 30 at 9pm on BET. Check out the full list of nominations below:
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
The Weekend
John Legend
Trey Songz
Usher
August Alsina
Chris Brown
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Azealia Banks
Nicki Minaj
Iggy Azalea
Tink
Dej Loaf
Trina
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
J. Cole
Drake
Common
Kendrick Lamar
Big Sean
Wale
Video Of The Year
Beyonce – ‘7/11′
Big Sean – ‘IDFWU’
Chris Brown – ‘Loyal’
Chris Brown & Usher – ‘New Flame’
Nicki Minaj – ‘Anaconda’
Common & John Legend – ‘Glory’
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyonce
Ciara
Janelle Monae
Jhene Aiko
K. Michelle
Rihanna
Best Group
Young Money
Rae Sremmurd
ASAP Mob
Jodeci
Migos
Rich Gang
Best Collaboration
August Alsina & Nicki Minaj – ‘No Love’
Big Sean & E-40 – ‘IDFWY’
Chris Brown, Usher, Rick Ross – ‘New Flame’
Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Tyga – ‘Loyal’
Common & John Legend – ‘Glory’
Bruno Mars & Mark Ronson – ‘Uptown Funk’
Best Gospel Artist
Erica Campbell
Deitrick Haddon
Fred Hammond
Lecrae
Mali Music
Michelle Williams
Best Actress
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington
Taraji P. Henson
Viola Davis
Tracee Ellis Ross
Best Actor
Anthony Anderson
Jussie Smollett
Kevin Hart
Idris Elba
Terrence Howard
Youngsters Award
Jacob Latimore
Jaden Smith
Quvenzhane Wallis
Mo’ne Davis
Zendaya Coleman
Best Movie
Annie
Beyond The Lights
Selma
Think Like A Man Too
Top Five
Sportswoman of the Year
Serena Williams
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Skylar Diggins
Venus Williams
Sportsman of the Year
Floyd Mayweather
Chris Paul
Lebron James
Marshawn Lynch
Stephen Curry
Coca-Cola Viewers Choice Award
Beyonce
Nicki Minaj
Kendrick Lamar
Dej Loaf
Rae Sremmurd
The Weeknd
Centric Award
Avery Sunshine – ‘Call My Name’
Jazmine Sullivan – ‘Dumb’
Bruno Mars – ‘Uptown Funk’
Sam Smith – ‘Stay With Me’
The Weeknd – ‘Earned It’
Best International Act: UK
FKA Twigs
Little Simz
MNEK
Lethal Bizzle
Fuse ODG
Stormzy
Best International Act: Africa
AKA
Fally Ipupa
Sarkodie
Sauti Sol
Stonebwoy
Wiz Kid
The Soil
Yemi Alade
Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Beyonce, Ed Burke, Todd Tourso
Chris Robinson
Fatima Robinson
Hype Williams
#Peace.Love.BETAwards
