BET Awards

The BET Awards are an American award show that was established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate Black entertainers and other minorities in music, film, sports and philanthropy. The awards, which are presented annually, are broadcast live on BET. The annual presentation ceremony features performances by artists; some of the awards of more popular interest are presented in a televised ceremony.

Trophy
The Award Trophy, inspired by three words - aspire, ascend, achieve, was designed by artist/sculptor Carlos "Mare139" Rodriguez. Outkast won the first award trophy during the first ceremony in 2001. In 2007, Society Awards, the New York firm who manufactures the award, enhanced the quality of the trophy design using plated steel and black crystal.

List of ceremonies
The inaugural ceremony in 2001 was held at the Paris Las Vegas resort on the Las Vegas Strip. From 2002 to 2005, the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood hosted the awards. From 2006 to 2012, the ceremonies were held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The ceremony was moved to the Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live in 2013.

Nomination process
The nomination process is handled by a voting academy made up of about 500 people from the music industry, involving the media, and bloggers. BET sends out ballots electronically and voters nominate deserving works and artists in all categories who they think should be nominated. Nominations and voting ballots are collated by Yangaroo, Inc., a leading digital distribution firm that works on many other televised award ceremonies, including those of BET's sister networks under parent company Paramount Global. The top nominees are determined in each category, and the winners are selected via the academy members' voting process.

Current awards

 * Music
 * Album of the Year (2017–present)
 * Video of the Year (2001–present)
 * Viewer's Choice Award (2001–present)
 * Best Collaboration (2003–present)
 * Best Female Hip-Hop Artist (2001–06, 2008–present)
 * Best Male Hip-Hop Artist (2001–present)
 * Best Female R&B/Pop Artist (2001–present)
 * Best Male R&B/Pop Artist (2001–present)
 * Best New Artist (2001–present)
 * Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award (2001–present)
 * BET Her Award (2018–present)
 * Best International Act (2010, 2018–present)
 * Best New International Act (2019–present)


 * Film
 * Best Movie (2010–present)
 * Best Actress (2001–present)
 * Best Actor (2001–present)
 * Sports
 * Sportswoman of the Year (2001–present)
 * Sportsman of the Year (2001–present)
 * Miscellaneous
 * Video Director of the Year (2008–present)
 * YoungStars Award (2010–present)

Defunct awards

 * Best Actor & Actress of the Year
 * Best Gospel Artist (2001–16)
 * J Cool Like That Award (2006–07)
 * J Award (2008–09)
 * Centric Award (2010–17)
 * Best International Act: Africa (2011–17)
 * Best International Act: UK (2011–16)
 * FANdemonium Award (2010–16)
 * International Viewers' Choice Award (2015–17)
 * Best International Act: Europe (2017)

Special awards
The BET Lifetime Achievement, Humanitarian and Ultimate Icon Award recipients, along with the nominees for other categories are announced in a press conference. At the awards ceremony a mini-documentary is shown covering the honorees' life. The awards are given out separately. The Ultimate Icon Award was created in 2015 and presented in the ceremony.

The BET Lifetime Achievement Award is given a veteran artist or group who has made notable contributions to the music industry. The honoree is paid tribute to by current popular singers who perform the honoree's most recognized songs. The honoree will usually perform themselves after being paid tribute.
 * Lifetime Achievement
 * 2001: Whitney Houston
 * 2002: Earth Wind & Fire
 * 2003: James Brown
 * 2004: The Isley Brothers
 * 2005: Gladys Knight
 * 2006: Chaka Khan
 * 2007: Diana Ross
 * 2008: Al Green
 * 2009: The O'Jays
 * 2010: Prince
 * 2011: Patti LaBelle
 * 2012: Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly
 * 2013: Charlie Wilson
 * 2014: Lionel Richie
 * 2015: Smokey Robinson
 * 2016: Samuel L. Jackson
 * 2017: New Edition
 * 2018: Anita Baker
 * 2019: Mary J. Blige
 * 2021: Queen Latifah
 * 2022: Sean Combs
 * 2023: Busta Rhymes
 * 2024: Usher

In 2002, at the second annual BET Awards, the category for the BET Award Humanitarian Award was created. The Humanitarian Award is given to a celebrity philanthropist who donates their time and money to a charitable cause.
 * Humanitarian
 * 2002: Muhammad Ali
 * 2003: Earvin "Magic" Johnson
 * 2004: Danny Glover
 * 2005: Denzel Washington and Pauletta Washington
 * 2006: Harry Belafonte
 * 2007: Don Cheadle
 * 2008: Quincy Jones
 * 2009: Alicia Keys and Wyclef Jean
 * 2010: John Legend
 * 2011: Steve Harvey
 * 2012: Rev. Al Sharpton
 * 2013: Dwyane Wade
 * 2014: Myrlie Evers-Williams
 * 2015: Tom Joyner
 * 2016: Jesse Williams
 * 2017: Chance the Rapper
 * 2018: Naomi Wadler, Mamoudou Gassama, Justin Blackman, Shaun King, Anthony Borges and James Shaw Jr.
 * 2019: Nipsey Hussle
 * 2020: Beyoncé

In 2015 and 2018, at the fifteenth and eighteenth annual BET Awards, the category of the Ultimate Icon Award was created. It is given to a veteran artist whose career is deemed iconic by fans and critics alike for their notable contributions in the music, dance and music video fields.
 * Ultimate Icon
 * 2015: Janet Jackson
 * 2018: Debra L. Lee
 * 2019: Tyler Perry

Most nominated and winning artists
Below are the current rankings for the most wins and most nominated artist (male & female):

Most wins (as of 2021)

Most nominations (as of 2017) This is a list of multiple nominated performers, athletes & actors with 5 or more career nominations. Beyoncé is currently the most nominated performer with 81 nominations, solo and with Destiny's Child.

81 nominations
 * Beyoncé 73 solo; 8 w/ Destiny's Child

59 nominations
 * Chris Brown

51 nominations
 * Drake 46 solo; 5 w/ Young Money

37 nominations
 * Nicki Minaj 33 solo; 4w/ Young Money

35 nominations
 * Jay Z 30 solo; 5 w/ Watch The Throne

33 nominations
 * Lil Wayne 28 solo; 5 w/ Young Money

31 nominations
 * Kanye West 26 solo; 5 w/ Watch The Throne

23 nominations
 * Rihanna

21 nominations
 * Kendrick Lamar

19 nominations
 * Usher

18 nominations
 * Missy Elliott

17 nominations
 * Serena Williams

16 nominations
 * Bruno Mars
 * Venus Williams

15 nominations
 * Alicia Keys
 * T.I.

14 nominations
 * Jamie Foxx
 * Ludacris
 * Mary J. Blige

13 nominations
 * Erica Campbell 2 solo; 11 w/ Mary Mary
 * H.E.R.
 * SZA

12 nominations
 * Common
 * Pharrell Williams 10 solo; 2 w/ N.E.R.D.

11 nominations
 * Big Boi 1 solo; 10 w/ Outkast
 * Ciara
 * LeBron James
 * Mary Mary
 * Snoop Dogg
 * The Weeknd

10 nominations
 * Kobe Bryant
 * T-Pain
 * Outkast
 * Trina
 * Trey Songz
 * Tyga 6 solo; 4 w/ Young Money

9 nominations
 * Denzel Washington
 * Doja Cat
 * Jazmine Sullivan
 * Kelly Rowland 1 solo; 8 w/ Destiny's Child
 * Michelle Williams 1 solo; 8 w/ Destiny's Child
 * Taraji P. Henson

8 nominations
 * 2 Chainz
 * 50 Cent
 * Angela Bassett
 * ASAP Rocky 6 solo; 2 w/ ASAP Mob
 * Benny Boom
 * Big Sean
 * Busta Rhymes
 * Chloe x Halle
 * Destiny's Child
 * Diddy 5 solo; 3 w/ Diddy-Dirty Money
 * Hype Williams
 * Idris Elba
 * John Legend
 * Marsha Ambrosius 4 solo; 4 w/ Floetry
 * Miguel
 * Omarion 2 solo; 6 w/ B2K
 * Justin Timberlake
 * Rick Ross

7 nominations
 * Don Cheadle
 * Erykah Badu
 * Halle Berry
 * Jennifer Hudson
 * Keyshia Cole
 * Kirk Franklin
 * Mariah Carey
 * Ne-Yo
 * R. Kelly

6 nominations
 * Aaliyah
 * Anthony Hamilton
 * August Alsina
 * B.o.B
 * B2K
 * Benny Boom
 * CeeLo Green 2 solo; 4 w/ Gnarls Barkley
 * Keri Hilson
 * Lil Jon 3 solo; 3 w/ Lil' Jon and the Eastside Boyz
 * Lil' Kim
 * Musiq Soulchild
 * Samuel L. Jackson
 * “Too Short Pants”
 * Wale
 * Yolanda Adams

5 nominations
 * Bow Wow
 * Carmelo Anthony
 * Donnie McClurkin
 * Eminem
 * Eve
 * Fantasia
 * Gabrielle Union
 * Jhené Aiko
 * Jill Scott
 * Keke Palmer
 * Melanie Fiona
 * Mindless Behavior
 * Nelly
 * Pusha T 3 solo; 2 w/ The Clipse
 * Regina King
 * Solange Knowles
 * Willow Smith