The show, which takes place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, will be hosted for the third time by Academy Award-nominated actor Taraji P. Henson.
Performers for the evening include Lauryn Hill and her son YG Marley, Childish Gambino, Ice Spice, Tyla, Chlöe, Coco Jones, Keke Palmer, Marsha Ambrosius, Summer Walker, GloRilla, Latto, Muni Long, Sexyy Red, Shaboozey and Victoria Monét .
Will Smith will perform a new song, although no details have been announced. The Grammy and Oscar winner is still in the shadow of the infamous slap he delivered to Chris Rock at the Oscars two years ago. He has since successfully launched his film “Bad Boys: Ride or Die”.
Country musician Tanner Adell will also perform on the BET Amplified stage.
The BET Awards will air live beginning at 8 p.m. ET. The show will be simulcast on Comedy Central, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Pop, TV Land, Nickelodeon at Nite and VH1.
Drake leads the nominations, just like last year.
He is notably nominated for album of the year for his album “For All the Dogs” and for best music video for “First Person Shooter,” his collaboration with J. Cole that was the starting point of his recent conflict with rapper Kendrick Lamar.
Nicki Minaj has six nominations, including one for album of the year for “Pink Friday 2.” Two of her nominations are for her song with Ice Spice, “Barbie World,” which is part of the hit soundtrack to the movie “Barbie.”
J. Cole, Sexyy Red, SZA and Grammy winner Victoria Monét tied with five nominations for best new artist; 21 Savage, Beyoncé, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, Tyla and Usher each have four.
Usher will take home a lifetime achievement award – one of the BET Awards’ top honors, given to Busta Rhymes last year and Sean “Diddy” Combs the year before. The R&B star is an eight-time Grammy winner. In February, he released his first solo album in eight years, and in August he is set to launch a 24-city U.S. tour called “Past Present Future.”
His 2024 Super Bowl halftime performance was acclaimed and included appearances from other stars such as Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon and Ludacris. His album “Confessions” has sold over 10 million units in the United States.
Presenters for the evening include Andra Day, Colman Domingo, DC Young Fly, Devale Ellis, Jay Ellis, Jessica Betts, Mrs. Pat, Niecy Nash-Betts, Saucy Santana and more.
