BET Networks announced that actor/comedian Kevin Hart has been tapped to host this year’s BET AWARDS, ranked among the Top 5 Cable Award Shows every year among total viewers. The brightest night in music will broadcast LIVE from the historic Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. on BET.

For over a decade the BET AWARDS has reigned as the biggest family event rivaling all top awards shows.  Having escalated each year in industry influence with A-list celebrity nominations, star-studded appearances and one-of-a-kind performances, the BET AWARDS has undoubtedly established itself as the hottest ticket on television.  

The brightest stars in music, acting and sports will appear and perform at this year’s BET AWARDS which recognizes the achievements of artists, entertainers and athletes in 20 categories.  Leading the pack this year is Chris Brown with an impressive 6 nominations across multiple categories: Best Male R&B Artist, Best Collaboration (for which he holds two nominations), Video of the Year, Best Actor and Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice.  Closely behind him is Lil Wayne with 5 nominations:  Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Best Collaboration (with fellow nominee Chris Brown), Video of the Year and Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice for his collaborations with Chris Brown and Cory Gunz.  Rounding out the list and tied with 4 nominations each are Kanye West, Rihanna and Drake.  

“When we asked folks who should host this year’s BET AWARDS online, in the streets, among other celebs and throughout social media, one name came back to us loud and clear: Kevin Hart,” said Stephen Hill, BET’s president of music programming and specials.  “He is blue flame right now and we are looking forward to working with him on the show,” stated Hill. “His energy, wit and the always fantastic performances will make for yet another must see event—and the ‘Chocolate Droppa’ might even get a verse in the show,” he added.

What a difference a year makes. Last year, Chris Brown had a breakdown onstage while performing his emotional tribute to Michael Jackson at the BET Awards. Now the R&B superstar leads the pack with six nominations at the BET Awards 2011, including Video of the Year and Best Male R&B Artist. His collaborator Lil Wayne follows with five nods, while Rihanna, Drake, and Kanye West score four apiece.

In the coveted Video of the Year category, Chris’ “Look at Me Now” featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes will compete against Kanye West and Pusha T’s “Runaway,” Keri Hilson’s “Pretty Girl Rock,” B.o.B and Hayley Williams’ “Airplanes,” Willow Smith’s “Whip My Hair,” and Marsha Ambrosius’ “Far Away.”

Other artists who picked up multiple nominations include Nicki Minaj, Marsha Ambrosius, B.o.B, Busta Rhymes, and Willow Smith.

The BET Awards 2011 will air live from Los Angeles on June 26 hosted by comedian Kevin Hart. Check below for a full list of nominees.

Best Male R&B Artist
Chris Brown
Cee Lo Green
Bruno Mars
Trey Songz
Usher

Best Female R&B Artist
Beyoncé
Marsha Ambrosius
Keri Hilson
Jennifer Hudson
Rihanna

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
B.o.B
Drake
Lil Wayne
Rick Ross
Kanye West

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Nicki Minaj
Diamond
Cymphonique
LoLa Monroe

Best Group
Diddy-Dirty Money
Cali Swag District
N.E.R.D.
New Boyz
Travis Porter

Best New Artist
J. Cole
Bruno Mars
Miguel
Willow Smith
Wiz Khalifa

Best Collaboration
B.o.B f/ Hayley Williams – “Airplanes”
Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes – “Look at Me Now”
Chris Brown f/ Tyga & Kevin McCall – “Deuces”
Waka Flocka Flame f/ Roscoe Dash & Wale – “No Hands”
Rihanna f/ Drake – “What’s My Name?”
Kanye West f/ Rihanna – “All of the Lights”

Video of the Year
Marsha Ambrosius – “Far Away”
B.o.B f/ Hayley Williams of Paramore – “Airplanes”
Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes – “Look at Me Now”
Keri Hilson – “Pretty Girl Rock”
Willow Smith – “Whip My Hair”
Kanye West f/ Pusha T – “Runaway”

Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Mr. Boomtown
Chris Robinson
Kanye West
Hype Williams

Best Gospel
Byron Cage
Deitrick Haddon
Mary Mary
Karen Clark Sheard
BeBe & CeCe Winans

Best Actress
Halle Berry
Taraji P. Henson
Regina King
Zoe Saldana
Kerry Washington

Best Actor
Laz Alonso
Chris Brown
Don Cheadle
Idris Elba
Jamie Foxx

YoungStars Award
Shenell Edmonds
Keke Palmer
Diggy Simmons
Jaden Smith
Willow Smith

Best Movie
Death at a Funeral
For Colored Girls
Takers
The Book of Eli
Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too?

Sportswoman of the Year
Tamika Catchings
Candice Dupree
Maya Moore
Serena Williams
Venus Williams

Sportsman of the Year
Carmelo Anthony
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Derrick Rose
Michael Vick

Viewers’ Choice Award
Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes – “Look at Me Now”
Lil Wayne f/ Cory Gunz – “6 Foot 7 Foot”
Mindless Behavior – “My Girl”
Nicki Minaj f/ Drake – “Moment 4 Life”
Rihanna f/ Drake – “What’s My Name?”
Trey Songz f/ Nicki Minaj – “Bottoms Up”

Centric Award
Marsha Ambrosius
Eric Benet
Cee-Lo Green
R. Kelly
Kem

Best International Act: U.K.
VV Brown
Chipmunk
Laura Izibor
Skepta
Tinchy Stryder
Tinie Tempah

Best International Act: Africa
2Face Idibia (Nigeria)
D’Banj (Nigeria)
D-Black (Ghana)
Angelique Kidjo (Benin)
Fally Ipupa (Congo DR)
Teargas (South Africa)