Today, the BET Network announced the nominees for the 13^th annual BET Awards to be held at Nokia Theatre on June 30.

The press conference kicked off with BETs President of Music Programming and Specials, Stephen Hill, taking the mic to introduce the first ever BET Experience.  If you haven’t heard by now, the BET Experience will be taking over LA Live from June 28 – 30 for a three-day event leading up to the BET Awards.  It will be host to concerts, comedy shows, the BET Experience Film Festival, celebrity basketball exhibit, and Fan Fest, a free street fair that gets you up close and personal with some of your favorite BET shows and stars, music, and interactive exhibits.  Did I mention that there will be giveaways??

If that’s not enough, you’ll get the chance to catch Beyoncé kick off The Mrs. Carter Show U.S. tour as she joins a performance line up that includes Erykah Badu, Snoop Dogg (or is it Snoop Lion?), Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Miguel, Schoolboy Q, The Roots and Friends, R. Kelly, New Edition and The Jacksons!

On the rooftop of ICON Ultra Lounge in Downtown Los Angeles, the beautiful Tamar Braxton and Compton’s own Kendrick Lamar announced the nominees for this year’s BET Awards.  Kendrick, who has received eight nominations, stepped to the mic sporting the Grape Air Jordan Vs.  They joined a panel that included Chris Tucker, host of the 2013 BET Awards; Charlie Wilson, who will be honored with the 2013 “Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award; and Chris Brown, the first confirmed performer for the show.

C Breezy promised to “give the fans what they want.”  I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been disappointed when he’s taken over a stage.  Additionally, he announced that he collaborated with never-before-heard sound bites and tracks from the late Aaliyah for “They Don’t Know” on his upcoming album X.  Can we expect to see an Aaliyah hologram join him on stage on Sunday June 30?  He didn’t drop any hints on what to expect so your guess is as good as mine.

The theme for this year’s award show is “Anything Can Happen” and Chris Tucker made sure to emphasize that, joking that he may not even show up!  You know with this man facilitating there are going to be guaranteed laughs.  Between surprise guests, theatrical music performances, and a red carpet dripping with celebs this is going to be a night you do not want to miss!

Check out the schedule of BET Experience performances and nominees for the BET Awards below.  For more information on the BET Experience, including how you can get tickets and the full list of the nominees, hit up www.betexperience.com.

Friday June 28, 2013

Beyoncé
Doors – 7:00pm
Show – 8:00pm-11:30pm
STAPLES Center

Erykah Badu
Doors – 11:00pm
Show – 11:30pm-1:30am
Centric Soul Stage, Club NOKIA

Saturday June 29, 2013

Snoop Lion, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Miguel and Schoolboy Q
Doors – 7:00pm
Show – 8:00pm-11:30pm
STAPLES Center

The Roots and Friends
Doors – 11:00pm
Show – 11:30pm-1:30am
Centric Soul Stage, Club NOKIA

Sunday June 20, 2013

R. Kelly, New Edition, and The Jacksons
Doors – 7:30pm
Show – 8:30-11:30pm
STAPLES Center

And the 2013 BET Awards nominees are…

Best Group
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
Mary Mary
Mindless Behavior
Slaughterhouse
The Throne (Jay-Z and Kanye West)

Best Collaboration
2 Chainz ft. Drake – “No Lie”
A$AP Rocky ft. Drake, 2 Chainz, and Kendrick Lamar – “Problems”
French Montana ft. Rick Ross, Drake, Lil Wayne – “Pop That”
Kendrick Lamar ft. Drake – “Poetic Justice”
Justin Timberlake ft. Jay-Z – “Suit & Tie”
Kanye West ft. Big Sean, Pusha T, and 2 Chainz – “Mercy”

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
2 Chainz
A$AP Rocky
Drake
Future
Kendrick Lamar

Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Azealia Banks
Eve
Nicki Manaj
Rasheeda
Rye Rye

Best New Artist
Azealia Banks
Joey Bada$$
Kendrick Lamar
Trinidad Jame$
The Weeknd

Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
A$AP Rocky ft. Drake, 2 Chainz, and Kendrick Lamar – “Problems”
Drake – “Started From the Bottom”
Kendrick Lamar – “Swimming Pools (Drank)”
Miguel – “Adorn”
Rihanna – “Diamonds”
Justin Timberlake ft. Jay-Z – “Suit & Tie”

Written by: yewNo

Photos by: Karen Capalaran