NEW YORK, NY. (Top40 Charts/ BET Networks) - BET Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), today announced the nominees, performers and recipients of the Lifetime Achievement and Humanitarian honors for the BET AWARDS '08.
The BET AWARDS '08 is raising the stakes and promises to be the "hottest ticket on television" for the eighth year running, as the biggest stars in music, sports and entertainment unite in Los Angeles' historic Shrine Auditorium for a night of explosive LIVE performances on
Tuesday, June 24 at 8:00 PM ET/PT. As in years past, the BET AWARDS '08 will continue its landmark tradition of hot performances by some of today's heavy hitters, including Usher, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Lil' Wayne and Nelly. The host, along with additional presenters and performers, will be announced shortly.
At this year's most hyped event, BET will recognize the achievements of artists, entertainers and athletes in 15 categories. Hip hop R&B singer, songwriter and producer T-Pain tops the line-up with five nominations for his collaborations with Chris Brown, Kanye and Flo Rida, followed by rapper/producer Kanye West who earned three nominations with his successful third album, "Graduation," in the Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Best Collaboration and Video of the Year categories.
Among the other multiple nominees are R&B songstress Mary J. Blige for Best Female R&B, as well as Video of the Year for "Just Fine," along with Flo Rida, Alicia Keys and Keyshia Cole.
Those nominated for the second straight year include Jay-Z and Lil' Wayne for Best Male Hip Hop; Mary J. Blige for Best Female R&B; last year's Best Male R&B winner Ne-Yo; Angela Bassett and Chandra Wilson for Best Actress; last year's winner, basketball sensation LeBron James, boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr., and golfing phenomenon Tiger Woods for Male Athlete of the Year; smash hitter and four-time category winner Serena Williams and b-ball superstar Tamika Catchings for Female Athlete of the Year.
In keeping with the history-making track record of the most highly anticipated night in Black entertainment, BET is pulling out all of the stops in naming this year's special honorees. Legendary R&B icon Al Green will be in the house to receive BET's Lifetime Achievement Award. Joining him will be celebrated producer/arranger/composer Quincy Jones, who will be honored with BET's prestigious Humanitarian Award for his outreach to young African-Americans through the Listen Up Foundation, a charity which connects youth with music, technology and culture. In addition, Jones helped launch the We Are the Future project, giving hope to children in poor and conflict-ridden areas.
For the past seven years, the BET AWARDS has boasted unforgettable moments such as Michael Jackson's surprise appearance during James Brown's tribute; Rick James in his final duet with Teena Marie; Will Smith presenting Muhammad Ali with the first-ever Humanitarian Award; Prince onstage backing Chaka Khan; Stevie Wonder, Yolanda Adams and India.Arie in a powerhouse tribute to Rufus' first lady of funk; Destiny's Child's steamy lap dance; the reunion of one of hip hop's most beloved trios, The Fugees; and last year's touching opening performance with Jennifer Hudson and Jennifer Holliday and Public Enemy's tribute to James Brown.
BET has once again teamed with Cossette Productions, the famed producers of the GRAMMY Awards and the seven record-setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle production of the telecast. Stephen Hill, BET Executive Vice President, Music and Programming, along with Lynn Harris-Taylor, BET Vice President of Specials, will executive produce the telecast.
BET AWARDS '08 will be sponsored by Dodge, Pepsi, Verizon Wireless, General Motors, P&G, Target, Circo and Ford.
Log onto BET.com for BET On Blast video highlights, photos and continuous BET AWARDS '08 updates at https://www.bet.com/betawards.
BET AWARDS '08 NOMINEES AND CATEGORIES
Best Female R&B - Best Male R&B - Best Group
Mary J. Blige - Chris Brown - Danity Kane
Mariah Carey - Raheem DeVaughn - Day 26
Keyshia Cole - J. Holiday - Gnarls Barkley
Alicia Keys - Ne-Yo - Playaz Circle
Rihanna - Trey Songz - UGK
Best Gospel Artist - Best Female Hip Hop Artist - Best Male Hip Hop Artist
The Clark Sisters - Missy Elliott - Common
Kirk Franklin - Eve - Jay-Z
Deitrick Haddon - Kid Sister - Lil' Wayne
Marvin Sapp - Lil Mama - Snoop Dogg
Trin-I-Tee 5:7 - Trina - Kanye West
Best New Artist
Estelle
Flo Rida
Chrisette Michelle
Soulja Boy Tell'em
The Dream
Best Collaboration
Chris Brown f/ T-Pain "Kiss Kiss"
Keyshia Cole f/ Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim "Let It Go"
Flo Rida f/ T-Pain "Low"
Kanye West f/ T-Pain "Good Life"
DJ Khaled f/ Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta
Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil' Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman and Rick Ross "I'm So Hood (The Remix)"
Best Video Director
Erykah Badu and Mr. Roboto
Benny Boom
Gil Green
Chris Robinson
Hype Williams
Video of the Year
Ashanti "The Way That I Love You"
Erykah Badu "Honey"
Mary J. Blige "Just Fine"
Alicia Keys "Like You'll Never See Me Again"
UGK f/ Outkast "International Player's Anthem (I Choose You)"
Kanye West f/ T-Pain "Good Life"
Best Actress - Best Actor
Angela Bassett - Anthony Anderson
Halle Berry - Don Cheadle
Queen Latifah - Idris Elba
Jill Scott - Terrence Howard
Chandra Wilson - Denzel Washington
Female Athlete of the Year
Tamika Catchings
Cheryl Ford
Candace Parker
Serena Williams
Venus Williams
Male Athlete of the Year
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Chris Paul
Tiger Woods
Viewer's Choice Award
Chris Brown f/ T-Pain "Kiss Kiss"
Keyshia Cole f/ Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim "Let It Go"
Alicia Keys "No One"
Lil' Wayne f/ Static "Lollipop"
Jordin Sparks f/ Chris Brown "No Air"
Soulja Boy Tell'em "Crank Dat (Soulja Boy)"
