by Taiwo Damilola

It’s the time of the year again when nominations roll out for the BET awards – the time for those nominated to gloat and those not nominated to fume. So far, Keyshia Cole and Trina are the only ones who’ve come out to show their displeasure with the nominations. Nigeria’s 2face Idibia and D’Banj have also been nominated in the ‘Best International Act: Africa’ category, alongside Congolese singer Fally Ipupa, South African rap duo Teargas, D-Black from Ghana and the legendary singer Angelique Kidjo. Last year, M.I and P Square were the first Nigerian acts to be included in the nominations list.

To vote for this year’s Nigerian acts, go to: http://www.bet.com/content/betcom/shows/bet-awards/2011/nominees/best-international-act-africa.html

For other categories, vote here: http://www.bet.com/shows/bet-awards/2011/nominees.html

The event will hold on Sunday, June 26, 2011. Below is a full list of nominees.

Best Female R&B Artist
Beyoncé – How now?
Marsha Ambrosius
Keri Hilson
Jennifer Hudson
Rihanna

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
B.o.B
Drake
Lil Wayne
Rick Ross
Kanye West

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Nicki Minaj- We know she’ll win anyway.
Diamond – Huh?
Cymphonique – Who?
LoLa Monroe – Who?

Best Male R&B Artist
Chris Brown
Cee Lo Green
Bruno Mars
Trey Songz
Usher

Best Group
Diddy-Dirty Money
Cali Swag District – From where?
N.E.R.D – Did they release any new music last year?
New Boyz – Who?
Travis Porter

Best Collaboration
B.o.B x Hayley Williams – ‘Airplanes’
Chris Brown x Lil Wayne x Busta Rhymes – ‘Look at Me Now’
Chris Brown x Tyga x Kevin McCall – ‘Deuces’
Waka Flocka Flame x Roscoe Dash x Wale – ‘No Hands’
Rihanna x Drake – ‘What’s My Name?’
Kanye West x Rihanna – ‘All of the Lights’

Video of the Year
Marsha Ambrosius – ‘Far Away’
B.o.B. x Hayley Williams of Paramore – ‘Airplanes’
Chris Brown x Lil Wayne x Busta Rhymes – ‘Look at Me Now’
Keri Hilson – ‘Pretty Girl Rock’
Willow Smith – ‘Whip My Hair’
Kanye West x Pusha T – ‘Runaway’

Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Mr. Boomtown
Chris Robinson
Kanye West – What video?
Hype Williams

Best New Artist
J. Cole
Bruno Mars
Miguel
Willow Smith
Wiz Khalifa

Best Gospel
Byron Cage
Deitrick Haddon
Mary Mary
Karen Clark Sheard
BeBe & CeCe Winans

Best Actress
Halle Berry
Taraji P. Henson
Regina King
Zoe Saldana
Kerry Washington

Best Actor
Laz Alonso
Chris Brown
Don Cheadle
Idris Elba
Jamie Foxx

Young Stars Award
Shenell Edmonds
Keke Palmer
Diggy Simmons
Jaden Smith
Willow Smith

Best Movie
Death at a Funeral
For Colored Girls
Takers
The Book of Eli
Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too?

Sportswoman of the Year
Tamika Catchings
Candice Dupree
Maya Moore
Serena Williams
Venus Williams

Sportsman of the Year
Carmelo Anthony
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Derrick Rose
Michael Vick

Viewer’s Choice Award
Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes – “Look at Me Now”
Lil Wayne f/ Cory Gunz – “6 Foot 7 Foot”
Mindless Behavior – “My Girl”
Nicki Minaj f/ Drake – “Moment 4 Life”
Rihanna f/ Drake – “What’s My Name”
Trey Songz f/ Nicki Minaj – “Bottoms Up”

Centric Award
Marsha Ambrosius
Eric Benet
Cee-Lo Green
R. Kelly
Kem

Best International Act:
U.K.
VV Brown
Chipmunk
Laura Izibor
Skepta
Tinchy Stryder
Tinie Tempah

Best International Act:
Africa: 2Face Idibia (Nigeria)
D’Banj (Nigeria)
D-Black (Ghana)
Angelique Kidjo (Benin)
Fally Ipupa (Congo DR)
Teargas (South Africa)

Oluwapelumi