Chris Brown Performing at BET Awards ’13; Reveals Aaliyah Collaboration
Chris Brown is the first artist confirmed to perform at the upcoming BET Awards '13, which will be hosted by Chris Tucker, and Drake leads the pack with 12 awards nominations.
The announcements came Tuesday during a press conference in Los Angeles where Charlie Wilson was announced as the Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Uncle Charlie was on hand to thank everyone for the honor.
Chris, who was also in attendance, revealed that "They Don't Know," a song off his upcoming album X, would feature previously unheard vocals from Aaliyah. X is due out July 16.
Tamar Braxton and Kendrick Lamar, who are both up for awards, arrived on stage later to reveal this year's nominees. Compton native Kendrick has an impressive eight nominations, tying him with 2 Chainz.
As mentioned, Drake leads with 12 nods. That's thanks to material from his 2011 albumTake Care, his recent single "Started from the Bottom" and a slew of guests spots on releases from A$AP Rocky, French Montana, 2 Chainz and Kendrick.
An unprecedented 10 nominees are facing off for BET's Video of the Year Award. The list includes Rihanna, Drake, Kendrick, A$AP Rocky, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Kanye West and Justin Timberlake with Jay-Z .
A$AP Rocky is up for five awards, including Best Male Hip-Hop artist. Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake and Miguel are nominated in four categories, with Justin and Miguel up for Best Male R&B Artist. The Best Female R&B Artist list includes Tamar, Alicia Keys, Elle Varner and Beyonce.
Bey's will kick off the U.S. leg of her The Mrs. Carter Show world tour on Friday, June 28, as part of the weekend-long BET Experience at L.A. LIVE showcase. The BET Awards '13 will take place at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 30 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET.
Here are the music nominees for the BET Awards '13:
Best Female R&B Artist
Beyoncé
Tamar Braxton
Alicia Keys
Elle Varner
Best Male R&B Artist
Chris Brown
Bruno Mars
Miguel
Justin Timberlake
Usher
Best Group
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Mary Mary
Mindless Behavior
Slaughterhouse
The Throne (Kanye West & Jay-Z)
Best Collaboration
2 Chainz feat. Drake, "No Lie"
A$AP Rocky feat. Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar, "Problems"
French Montana feat. Rick Ross, Drake and Lil Wayne, "Pop That"
Kendrick Lamar feat. Drake, "Poetic Justice"
Justin Timberlake feat. Jay-Z, "Suit & Tie"
Kanye West feat. Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz, "Mercy"
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
2 Chainz
A$AP Rocky
Drake
Future
Kendrick Lamar
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Azealia Banks
Eve
Nicki Minaj
Rasheeda
Rye Rye
Video of the Year
2 Chainz feat. Drake, "No Lie"
A$AP Rocky feat. Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar, "Problems"
Drake, "Started from the Bottom"
Drake feat. Lil Wayne, "HYFR"
Kendrick Lamar feat. Drake, "Poetic Justice"
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Wanz, "Thrift Shop"
Miguel, "Adorn"
Rihanna, "Diamonds"
Justin Timberlake feat. Jay-Z, "Suit & Tie"
Kanye West feat. Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz, "Mercy"
Video Director of the Year
A$AP Rocky & Sam Lecca
Benny Boom
Director X
Dre Films
Hype Williams
Best New Artist
Azealia Banks
Joey Bada$$
Kendrick Lamar
Trinidad Jame$
The Weeknd
Best Gospel
Deitrick Haddon
Lecrae
Tamela Mann
Mary Mary
Marvin Sapp
Coca-Cola Viewers' Choice Award
A$AP Rocky feat. Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar, "Problems"
Drake, "Started from the Bottom"
Kendrick Lamar, "Swimming Pools (Drank)"
Miguel, "Adorn"
Rihanna, "Diamonds"
Justin Timberlake feat. Jay-Z, "Suit & Tie"
Centric Award
Tamar Braxton, "Love and War"
Fantasia, "Lose to Win"
Miguel, "Adorn"
Nas, "Daughters"
Charlie Wilson, "My Love Is All I Have"
Best International Act: Africa
2Face Idibia (Nigeria)
Toya Delazy (South Africa)
Donald (South Africa)
Ice Prince (Nigeria)
R2Bees (Ghana)
Radio and Weasel (Uganda)
Best International Act: U.K.
Marsha Ambrosius
Estelle
Labrinth
Rita Ora
Emeli Sandé
Wiley