Source: Justjared.com

The 2012 BET Music Awards are coming up in a little more than a month and the network has just announced the nominees in each of their categories along with a few details about the show. This year’s ceremony will be hosted by Samuel L. Jackson which means there should be some good laughs, and performances are expected by Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj. The network is also bringing back it’s Best International Act: Africa award for the second year in a row, and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly will receive the Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Honor. The full list of nominees in the music categories are:

Best International Act: Africa

Camp Mulla (Kenya)

Ice Prince (Nigeria)

Lira (South Africa)

Mokobe (Mali)

Sarkodie (Ghana)

Wizkid (Nigeria)

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 (Jay-Z & Kanye West)

Best New Artist

A$AP Rocky

Big Sean

Diggy

Future

Meek Mill

Best Collaboration

Beyoncé ft./ J. Cole – “Party””

Big Sean ft./ Kanye West & Roscoe Dash – “Marvin & Chardonnay”

DJ Khaled ft./ Drake, Rick Ross, and Lil Wayne – “I’m On One”

Drake ft./ Lil Wayne and Tyga – “The Motto”

The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) ft./ Otis Redding – “Otis”

Wale ft./ Miguel – “Lotus Flower Bomb”

Video of the Year

Beyoncé – “Countdown”

Beyoncé – “Love on Top”

The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) – “Ni**as in Paris”

The Throne (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 ft./ Lil Wayne & Tyga – “The Motto”

Beyoncé – “Love on Top”

Chris Brown – “Turn Up the Music”

Mindless Behavior – “Hello”

The Throne ft./ Otis Redding – “Otis”

Wale ft./ 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

Last year’s awards show drew 7.7 million viewers on BET and I’m sure the network is trying to top that this year. The ceremony airs July 1 from the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium. Will you watch?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

More on Madame Noire!

• Dayummm…They Look Good For Their Age: Celebs Who Prove That Black Don’t Crack
• Let This Be A Lesson: Nas Says He Knew Marriage To Kelis Wouldn’t Work
• 7 Singers Turned Actors: Who Was a Natural On-Screen and Who Was a Hot Mess?
• Decoding Your Downstairs: 8 Things Women Need To Know About Their Va Jay Jay
• No Need To Call Tyrone: 7 Ways To Bow Out Of A Relationship Gracefully
• Madame On the Street: How Long Should You Wait to Have Sex?
• Bet You Didn’t Know: Secrets Behind the Making of “Jungle Fever”