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….

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50 Cent releases his long-awaited and first ever Gangsta Grillz mixtape, The Lost Tape. With DJ Drama serving hosting duties, 50 offers a 15-track collection of gritty street music that includes features from Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Jeremih, Kidd Kidd and more. The project serves as a prelude to 50’s upcoming fifth solo album due later this year.

Stream and download 50 and Drama’s new offering below….

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Far East Movement gets with a bad girl for their electro party cut, “Fly With U.” Kev Nish, Prohgress, J-Splif, and DJ Virman, get help from Cassie on the song off their Dirty Bass album due June 12. Fans of dance music will recognize the song which samples Gigi D’Agostino’s trance track “I’ll Fly With You.” Stream the song below as it’s a sure fist-pumper.

New Music: Far East Movement Feat. Cassie – “Fly With U”

via Rap-Up

Previously: Far East Movement Feat. Tyga – “Dirty Bass” (Video)

If you didn’t know, today is #2ChainzTuesday. Leading up to the release of his debut album Based On A T.R.U. Story (Aug. 14), Tity Boi will be releasing new content. Today’s submission is the video for “Undastatement” off last year’s T.R.U. REALigion mixtape.

Watch the Decatur Dan-directed video below….

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Before 50 Cent blasts off his Gangsta Grillz mixtape, he drops the video for the remix to 2 Chainz’ “Riot.” While artists would usually shot their own separate version, 50 actually stays within the original video concept and blends his scene in. The Lost Tape hosted by DJ Drama arrives at 3 p.m. EST.

Watch the remix below….

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Jill Scott kicked off the 16th season of VH1 Storytellers at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom. In the hour-long show, the soulful singer performed her music in a theatrical theme with various characters. From the eccentric “Ghetto Girl,” to “Woman Getting Married,” to the “Honest Girl,” Jill brilliantly used those figures to vividly tell her story while performing such hits as “Come See Me,” “The Way,” and her most recent single “Blessed.”

Watch Jill’s full VH1 Storytellers below….

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Our girl Yuna dropped a new video in support of Samsung’s ‘Sparkle Project’ in Malaysia. The song isn’t featured on her album, but I’m definitely adding it to my iTunes playlist. The track and video almost have a Marcy Playground “Sex and Candy” vibe.

Related:
New Video: Yuna “Live Your Life”
Pharrell Introduces Yuna: Malaysia’s Best Kept Secret

Cocaine 80s are definitely making music to get excited about. Without a major hypemachine, the crew has been catching the attention of listeners through straight quality music. No gimmicks, no filler. On their latest Internet leak Complex’s cover boy spits a well suited 16 over “Chain Glow.” James Fauntleroy will be a name to be remember.

Listen to “Chain Glow” after the jump…

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A week after Jay-Z and Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter officially announced the debut of the “Made In America” festival during a press conference, the first phase of acts are officially revealed. Pearl Jam will serve as the event’s headliner and will be joined by a well-rounded list of artists that includes: Odd Future, D’Angelo, Maybach Music (Rick Ross, Wale, Meek Mill), Santigold, Rita Ora, Skrillex, Afrojack, Calvin Harris, and Janelle Monáe. It’s expected Jay-Z, who serves as curator, will perform during the event’s opening night. The two-day event will span three stages on Saturday, Sept 1 & Sunday, Sept 2 at Philly’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Fairmount Park. The lineup was unveiled earlier this evening on the festival’s official Facebook page, with more acts to be announced in the near future.

Tickets for the event go on sale Wednesday, May 23 at Ticketmaster and Live Nation at 10 a.m. EST. While Budeweiser’s official Facebook page will release early bird tickets on Tuesday, May 22. Proceeds from the festival will benefit the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey.

View the first announced 18-acts below….

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Turn a dark abandoned warehouse into a full fledged skatepark packed with women and the finest of alcoholic beverages. That’s what you’ll view in Birdman’s  latest visual for “Dark Shades,” his new single off the upcoming Bigga Than Life album. Baby doesn’t go far for help as Lil’ Wayne and Mack Maine join in the Colin Tilley-directed video.

Watch YMCMB’s finest below….

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