Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj lead with BET Awards nominations

NEW YORK (AP) — Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj are the top contenders at the upcoming BET Awards with six nominations each.

Brown will compete twice for video of the year with the hits "Loyal" and "New Flame" at the June 28 show in Los Angeles, BET announced Monday. Minaj is up for the top prize with her eye-popping "Anaconda" music video.

Beyonce and Lil Wayne follow with four nominations each. Beyonce's "7/11" also will compete for video of the year, along with Big Sean's "IDFWU" and Common and John Legend's Oscar-winning "Glory," from the film "Selma."

Brown's nominations include best male R&B/pop artist and viewers' choice award. He's nominated twice for best collaboration thanks to "Loyal," which features Lil Wayne and Tyga, and "New Flame," which co-stars Usher and Rick Ross.

Minaj is nominated for best female hip-hop artist, best group as a member of Young Money and best collaboration for the remix of "No Love" with August Alsina. She's nominated twice for the viewer's choice award with her hit "Only" and as a guest on Rae Sremmurd's "Throw Some Mo."

Other nominees include The Weeknd, Fetty Wap, FKA twigs and Sam Smith, who will compete for best new artist. "Empire" stars Taraji P. Henson and Jussie Smollett are nominated for acting awards, while Serena Williams and Floyd Mayweather Jr. earned sports nominations.

"This year's nominees showcase a diverse group of talent that includes longstanding entertainers, breakout performers, and outstanding athletes," Stephen Hill, BET's president of programming, said in a statement.

The BET Awards will air live from the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live.

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