It’s that time of the year as BET held their press conference Tuesday afternoon in New York City to announce the nominations for the BET Awards 2012. Samuel L. Jackson will host the 12th annual show, as Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown are the first two confirmed artists who’ll be performing at the star-studded event. Beyoncé leads the way with six nominations including the “Viewers Choice Award,” “Video of the Year” (twice), and “Best Collaboration.” Jay-Z and Kanye West, Drake, Chris Brown, and Lil’ Wayne follow as multiple nominees.

Frankie Beverly & Maze will be honored that night as they’ll received this year’s Cadillac Lifetime Achievement.

Watch the BET Awards 2012 live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California when it airs Sunday, July 1 at 8 p.m. EST.

View the full nomination list below….

BET Awards ’12 Nominations

Best Female R&B Artist
Marsha Ambrosius
Beyoncé
Mary J. Blige
Melanie Fiona
Rihanna

Best Male R&B Artist
Chris Brown
Bruno Mars
Miguel
Trey Songz
Usher

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
Big Sean
Drake
J. Cole
Lil Wayne
Rick Ross
Young Jeezy

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Nicki Minaj
Diamond
Trina
Brianna Perry

Best Group
Bad Meets Evil
Diddy-Dirty Money
Maybach Music Group
Mindless Behavior
The Throne

Best New Artist
A$AP Rocky
Big Sean
Diggy
Future
Meek Mill

Best Collaboration
Beyoncé f/ J. Cole – “Party””
Big Sean f/ Kanye West & Roscoe Dash – “Marvin & Chardonnay”
DJ Khaled f/ Drake, Rick Ross, and Lil Wayne – “I’m On One”
Drake f/ Lil Wayne and Tyga – “The Motto”
The Throne f/ Otis Redding – “Otis”
Wale f/ Miguel – “Lotus Flower Bomb”

Video of the Year
Beyoncé – “Countdown”
Beyoncé – “Love on Top”
Jay-Z & Kanye West – “Ni**as in Paris”
Jay-Z & Kanye West – “Otis”
Usher – “Climax”

Video Director of the Year
Beyoncé and Alan Ferguson
Benny Boom
Chris Brown and Godfrey Tabarez
Kanye West
Hype Williams

Best Gospel
Yolanda Adams
Kim Burrell
James Fortune & FIYA
Fred Hammond
Trin-I-Tee 5:7

YoungStars Award
Astro
Diggy
Jacob Latimore
Keke Palmer
Willow Smith

Viewers’ Choice Award
Drake f/ Lil Wayne & Tyga – “The Motto”
Beyoncé – “Love onTop”
Chris Brown – “Turn Up the Music”
Mindless Behavior – “Hello”
The Throne f/ Otis Redding – “Otis”
Wale f/ Miguel – “Lotus Flower Bomb”

Centric Award
Common
Estelle
Robert Glasper
Robin Thicke
Tyrese

Best International Act: U.K.
Estelle
Labrinth
Emeli Sande
Sway
Wretch 32

Best International Act: Africa
Camp Mulla (Kenya)
Ice Prince (Nigeria)
Lira (South Africa)
Mokobe (Mali)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Wizkid (Nigeria)

Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Viola Davis
Taraji P. Henson
Regina King
Zoe Saldana

Best Actor
Don Cheadle
Common
Idris Elba
Kevin Hart
Denzel Washington

Best Movie
Good Deeds
Jumping the Broom
Laugh at My Pain
Red Tails
The Help

Sportswoman of the Year
Skylar Diggins
Candace Parker
Brittney Griner
Serena Williams
Venus Williams

Sportsman of the Year
Carmelo Anthony
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Victor Cruz
Kevin Durant

via Rap-Up

Previously:
Nicki Minaj’s Minidress, Drake’s Yellow Shoes, and More BET Awards Fashions (Update: #FreesAss Speaks)
BET Awards 2011: Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Kelly Rowland, Patti Labelle and the People’s Choice Disaster