BET Awards

The **BET Awards** is 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 Microsoft Theater 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.

## Award categories

### Current awards

Music
* Album of the Year (2017–present)
* Video of the Year (2001–present)
* Coca-Cola 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 Artist (2001–present)
* Artist of the Year (2001–present)
* Best New Artist (2001–present)
* Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award (2001–present)

Movie
* Best Movie (2010–present)
* Best Actress (2001–present)
* Best Actor (2001–present)

Athlete
* Sportswoman of the Year (2001–present)
* Sportsman of the Year (2001–present)

Miscellaneous
* Video Director of the Year (2008–present)
* Best International Act (2010, 2018–present)
* YoungStars Award (2010–present)
* Her Award (2018–present)
* Best New International Act (2019–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.

Lifetime Achievement
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.

* 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

Humanitarian
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.

* 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

Ultimate Icon
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.

* 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 75 nominations, solo and with Destiny's Child.[*Citation needed*]
**76 nominations**

* Beyoncé 68 solo; 8 w/ Destiny's Child

**52 nominations**

* Chris Brown

**51 nominations**

* Drake 46 solo; 5 w/ Young Money

**35 nominations**

* Jay Z 30 solo; 5 w/ Watch The Throne
* Nicki Minaj 31 solo; 4w/ Young Money

**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

**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
* 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
* Wale
* Yolanda Adams

**5 nominations**

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

## References

1. ↑ "Carlos Mare aka Mare139 Prints and Original Art | 1xRUN". *1xRUN*.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "2003 BET Awards Rocket to Biggest BET Telecast Ever". BET (June 26, 2003).
3. ↑ "Top 15 Cable Programs - Total Households: Week of 06/28/04 - 07/04/04". *Zap2it*.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Pucci, Douglas (June 26, 2018). "Sunday Final Ratings: BET Awards Has its Least-Watched Edition in 16 Years". *Programming Insider*.
5. ↑ Fitzgerald, Toni (July 7, 2005). "Dance fever: ABC owns this summer". *Media Life*.
6. ↑ "'06 BET AWARDS Stakes Claim as Cable's Top Awards Show by Again Flexing Impressive Muscle With Viewers". BET (June 30, 2006).
7. ↑ "Cable Series by Total Households week of 06/25/07-07/01/07". *Zap2it*.
8. ↑ Seidman, Robert (July 1, 2008). "Nielsen Ratings Weekly Cable TV Top 20: WWE RAW Back on Top". *TV by the Numbers*.
9. ↑ "Jackson Tribute BET Awards Edges Jon & Kate Plus 8 To Lead Cable Shows". *TV by the Numbers* (June 30, 2009).
10. ↑ "The 'BET AWARDS '10 Remains The #1 Cable Awards Show, Drawing 7.4 Million Total Viewers". BET (June 28, 2010).
11. ↑ Seidman, Robert (June 28, 2019). "Sunday Cable Ratings: More 'True Blood' & 'Falling Skies,' + 'Kardashians,' 'Law & Order: CI,' 'The Glades' and Much More". *TV by the Numbers*.
12. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (July 3, 2012). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'BET Awards' + 'True Blood', European Football, 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians', 'Real Housewives of NJ' & More". *TV by the Numbers*.
13. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (July 2, 2013). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'BET Awards' Wins Night + 'True Blood', 'Dexter', 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians', 'Falling Skies' & More". *TV by the Numbers*.
14. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (July 1, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'BET Awards' Leads Night + World Cup Soccer, 'True Blood', 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians', 'The Last Ship' & More". *TV by the Numbers*.
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Stanhope, Kate (June 29, 2015). "TV Ratings: BET Awards Dip to 6.5 Million Viewers". *The Hollywood Reporter*.
16. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (June 30, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: BET Awards Tops Night + 'True Detective', 'Ballers', 'Naked and Afraid' & More". *TV by the Numbers*.
17. ↑ Porter, Rick (June 28, 2016). "Sunday cable ratings: 'Game of Thrones' scores series high with Season 6 finale". *TV by the Numbers*.
18. ↑ Patten, Dominic (June 27, 2016). "BET Awards Viewership Rises Over 2015 With Simulcast On 12 Viacom Nets". *Deadline Hollywood*.
19. ↑ Porter, Rick (June 27, 2017). "Sunday cable ratings: BET Awards fall, 'Power' and 'Preacher' have solid premieres". *TV by the Numbers*.
20. ↑ Patten, Dominic (June 27, 2017). "BET Awards Ratings Fall From 2016, Both On Channel & Across Viacom Networks". *Deadline Hollywood*.
21. ↑ Petski, Denise (June 25, 2018). "BET Awards Draws 4.3 Million Viewers". *Deadline Hollywood*.
22. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (June 26, 2019). "Sunday Final Ratings: BET Tops All Key Prime Time Demos with BET Awards; Gold Cup Propels Univision Over All English-Language Broadcast Networks in Adults 18-49". *Programming Insider*.
23. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (June 25, 2019). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.23.2019". *Showbuzz Daily*.
24. ↑ "TV Ratings: BET Awards Get a Boost from CBS" (June 29, 2020).
25. ↑ "Ratings Release: The "Bet Awards" 2021, Dominates the Award Show Arena as the Best Performing Awards Show This Year" (June 29, 2021).
26. ↑ "Awards | YANGAROO". Yangaroo (22 July 2015).
27. ↑ "BET SELECTS YANGAROO'S DMDS TO POWER MAJOR AWARDS SHOWS". PR Newswire (11 May 2011).
28. ↑ "YANGAROO Awards HAS GROWN TO BECOME INDUSTRY LEADER | YANGAROO". Yangaroo (16 June 2016).
29. ↑ Moniuszko, Sara M.. "BET Awards: Beyonce to receive Humanitarian Award, Lil Wayne to honor Kobe Bryant" (en-US). *USA TODAY*.
30. ↑ "Watch The Throne: 5 Artists with the Most BET Awards Ever". *BET.com*.

## External links

* BET Awards website
* Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BET\_Awards