LOS ANGELES —
The Compton-born songwriter Kendrick Lamar leads as the most nominated act for this year’s upcoming BET Awards, earning an impressive 10 nods.
The nominations include Album of the Year for
GNX
Along with numerous accolades for “Not Like Us,” the hit diss track that rocked hip-hop and ignited national discussions about genuineness, commitment, and heritage.
Lamar’s surge of nominations comes amid a cultural moment as well.
Grammy
At “Sweep,” where “Not Like Us” claimed victories in both Song of the Year and Record of the Year categories, along with his solo performance during the Super Bowl halftime show—the inaugural appearance for any hip-hop artist.
The Grand National Tour, showcasing Lamar alongside the powerful vocalist SZA, has begun, challenging the limits of contemporary Black artistic expression in 2024.
Major hip-hop artists go head-to-head as Kendrick Lamar dominates the BET Awards.
Following closely after Lamar are Doechii, Drake, Future, and GloRilla, all receiving six nods each. Producer Metro Boomin secured five nominations, whereas SZA and The Weeknd received four nominations each, setting up a competition that merges the impact of different generations with new talent and energy.
This year’s BET Awards will
air live
from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 9 at 8 p.m. EDT, celebrating the network’s 25th anniversary.
Kevin Hart is back, and this time it’s personal.
The comedian and prominent figure Kevin Hart is set to host the awards for the first time in more than ten years. “This is a formal event,” Hart stated, alluding not only to the attire but also to the significance embedded within African American cultural events. He has strong ties with BET, having previously hosted various occasions.
Comic View: One Night Stand
in 2008 to producing
Real Husbands of Hollywood
and launching
Lil Kev
on BET+.
Honoring the heartbeat of a generation:
106 & Park
The event will feature a significant homage to
106 & Park
Once the top-rated program on BET and considered essential viewing for African American youths during the 2000s, “It embodied the pulse of Black youth culture,” according to BET CEO Scott Mills. The show played a crucial role through elements like Freestyle Fridays and premiering influential music videos, aiding in launching careers, setting fashion trends, and highlighting issues significant to its audience.
The event will bring together former hosts A.J. Calloway, Free, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz, and Terrence J, along with musical acts by Bow Wow, Amerie, T.I., Mýa, Jim Jones, and more.
Performers, sports figures, and the impact of their aura
The nominations for the acting categories showcase both leading talent and compelling narratives. In the Best Actor category, contenders like Colman Domingo, Denzel Washington, Sterling K. Brown, Jamie Foxx, and Will Smith have been recognized. As for Best Actress, the list includes Viola Davis, Angela Bassett, Quinta Brunson, Coco Jones, Zendaya, and Keke Palmer who are all vying for top honors.
In the realm of athletics, showcases of Black excellence are prominent: Simone Biles, Angel Reese, Jalen Hurts, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry lead the pack as key figures.
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Kendrick Lamar heads into the 25th BET Awards with 10 nomination nods.
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