Cardi B, Drake, Beyoncé Lead BET Awards Nominations
By Variety Staff
LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) – Nominations for the 2019 were announced today with Cardi B leading with 7 nods, followed by Drake (5), Beyonce, Travis Scott and J. Cole, each with four. Bruno Mars, 21 Savage, Childish Gambino, H.E.R. and Ella Mai also received multiple nominations. The show, which is in its 19th year, airs live from downtown Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater on Sunday, June 23.
In a year when has dominated, it’s no surprise that her “Invasion of Privacy” is up for album of the year. She’ll be competing against Travis Scott’s “Astroworld,” Meek Mill’s “Championships,” Ella Mai’s self-titled debut and “Everything Is Love” by The Carters.
The BET Awards recognize winners across 20 categories. Among the acting nominees are Issa Rae, Regina Hall, Regina King, Taraji P. Henson, Tiffany Haddish and Viola Davis in the best actress race and Anthony Anderson, Chadwick Boseman, Denzel Washington, Mahershala Ali, Michael B. Jordan and Omari Hardwick.
Said Connie Orlando, executive vice president and head of programming at BET: “Eighteen years ago we launched the BET Awards and since then we have celebrated cool in ways that can’t be duplicated elsewhere. From Michael Jackson and James Brown busting dance moves together to Monique paying homage to Beyoncé in an unforgettable dance number to BET reuniting the Fugees we have set the tone for what cool looks like. This year we are even more so committed to continuing to create the unforgettable moments that have made the BET Awards the preeminent celebration of black culture.”
Orlando serves as executive producer of the 2019 BET Awards along with Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment.
See the full list of nominations below:
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
Ella Mai
H.E.R.
Solange
Sza
Teyana Taylor
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Anderson .Paak
Bruno Mars
Childish Gambino
Chris Brown
John Legend
Khalid
Best Group
Chloe X Halle
City Girls
Lil Baby & Gunna
Migos
The Carters
Best Collaboration
21 Savage Ft. J. Cole “A Lot”
Cardi B & Bruno Mars “Please Me”
Cardi B Ft. Bad Bunny & J Balvin “I Like It”
H.E.R. Ft. Bryson Tiller “Could’ve Been”
Travis Scott Ft. “Sicko Mode”
Tyga Ft. Offset “Taste”
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
21 Savage
Drake
J. Cole
Meek Mill
Nipsey Hussle
Travis Scott
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi B
Kash Doll
Lizzo
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Remy Ma
Video Of The Year
21 Savage “A Lot Ft. J. Cole”
Cardi B “Money”
Cardi B & Bruno Mars “Please Me”
Childish Gambino “This Is America”
Drake “Nice For What”
The Carters “Apes**T”
Video Director Of The Year
Benny Boom
Colin Tilley
Dave Meyers
Hype Williams
Karena Evans
Best New Artist
Blueface
City Girls
Juice Wrld
Lil Baby
Queen Naija
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
Erica Campbell Ft. Warryn Campbell “All Of My Life”
Fred Hammond “Tell Me Where It Hurts”
Kirk Franklin “Love Theory”
Snoop Dogg Ft. Rance Allen “Blessing Me Again”
Tori Kelly Ft. Kirk Franklin “Never Alone”
Best International Act
Aka (South Africa)
Aya Nakamura (France)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Dave (Uk)
Dosseh (France)
Giggs (Uk)
Mr. Eazi (Nigeria)
Best New International Act – (Fan Voted Category)
Headie One (Uk)
Jokair (France)
Nesly (France)
Octavian (Uk)
Sho Madjozi (South Africa)
Teni (Nigeria)
Best Actress
Issa Rae
Regina Hall
Regina King
Taraji P. Henson
Tiffany Haddish
Viola Davis
Best Actor
Anthony Anderson
Chadwick Boseman
Denzel Washington
Mahershala Ali
Michael B. Jordan
Omari Hardwick
Youngstars Award
Caleb Mclaughlin
Lyric Ross
Marsai Martin
Michael Rainey Jr.
Miles Brown
Best Movie
Blackkklansman
Creed 2
If Beale Street Could Talk
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse
The Hate U Give
Sportswoman Of The Year
Allyson Felix
Candace Parker
Naomi Osaka
Serena Williams
Simone Biles
Sportsman Of The Year
Kevin Durant
Lebron James
Odell Beckham Jr.
Stephen Curry
Tiger Woods
Album Of The Year
Travis Scott, “Astroworld”
Meek Mill, “Championships”
Ella Mai, “Ella Mai”
The Carters, “Everything Is Love”
Cardi B, “Invasion Of Privacy”
2019 Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin “I Like It”
Childish Gambino “This Is America”
Drake “In My Feelings”
Ella Mai “Trip”
J. Cole “Middle Child”
Travis Scott Ft. Drake “Sicko Mode”
Bet Her Award
Alicia Keys “Raise A Man”
Ciara “Level Up”
H.E.R. “Hard Place”
Janelle Monáe “Pynk”
Queen Naija “Mama’s Hand”
Teyana Taylor “Rose In Harlem”