Kanye West, 50
Cent and Fat Joe were nominated for multiple awards at the 5th Annual BET Awards,
which is being hosted by husband and wife acting team Will and Jada-Pinkett
West was nominated for Best
Male Hip-Hop Artist, while his hit song “Jesus Walks” earned him
Best Gospel Artist and Video of the Year nods.
50 Cent earned to nominations
for Best Male Hip-Hop and Best Collaboration with former G-Unit cohort, The
Game, who will also be on hand during the evening for a performance.
Fat Joe and his Terror Squad
gained multiple nods as well, as their massive hit “Lean Back” earned
them Best Group and a nomination in the Viewers Choice category.
R&B songstress Ciara
earned four nominations, John Legend and Destiny’s Child earned three
nominations each, while Omarion, Amerie and Fantasia earned two nominations
a piece.
Stephen Hill, BET Executive
Vice President for Music and Entertainment Programming, said the A list talent
the awards show has assembled will make this year’s show one of the most
memorable.
"Awards shows overall
can be tough to keep fresh and creative,” Hill said. “But we’ve
found a formula that not only attracts millions of viewers to BET, but also
makes this an event that stars fully embrace and enjoy."
Ludacris, Missy Elliot,
Mariah Carey and Destiny’s Child will also give performances during the
evening.
The 5th Annual BET Awards
will be broadcast live on June 28 from Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre at 8
p.m. EST.