Drake, Beyonce, Jay Z Lead At BET Awards
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Could this year be a repeat for Drake at the BET Awards?
Last year the rapper won video of the year and two more awards, and he could do the same Sunday, where is nominated for five honors. The only difference: He'll actually be in attendance this year.
The 27-year-old will perform at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, where he is the top nominee, along with Beyonce and Jay Z.
Drake's "Worst Behavior" is nominated for video of the year, competing with Beyonce's "Drunk in Love" and "Partition," as well as Pharrell's "Happy" and Chris Brown's "Fine China."
Beyonce, who dominated in music this year, won't attend the awards show. She and husband Jay Z launched a co-headlining stadium tour days ago.
She's nominated for best female R&B/pop artist with little competition aside from Rihanna. Jay Z and Drake will battle Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole and Future for best male hip-hop artist.
Pharrell, who will perform at the show, scored four nominations including best male R&B/pop artist, best collaboration for Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" and the viewer's choice award. Beyonce, Drake and rising newcomers August Alsina and Jhene Aiko are also up for the latter, a fan-voted award.
Thicke, who is set to release his new album "Paula" — an ode to his wife who he is separated from — on Tuesday, will perform Sunday. Usher, Lil Wayne, John Legend and Mary J. Blige will also take the stage.
Nicki Minaj and Iggy Azalea, whose anthemic "Fancy" has spent its fifth week on top of the Billboard charts, will also perform. They will compete for best female hip-hop artist, an award Minaj has won consecutively for four years.
Lionel Richie will be honored with a lifetime achievement award at the show, to be hosted by Chris Rock. Kerry Washington, Kevin Hart and Gabrielle Union are among this year's presenters.
The BET Awards will air live at 8 p.m. Eastern.
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