It’s anyone’s guess if Lizzo will win anything at this weekend’s virtual BET Awards, but the versatile performer has already made BET Awards history: She is the first artist in the show’s 20-year history to be nominated for both best female R&B/pop artist and best female hip-hop artist in the same year. Making Lizzo’s achievement all the more impressive, no artist has ever been nominated in both of the corresponding male categories in the same year.
Lizzo appears to have a good chance of winning best R&B/pop female artist, though you bet against Beyoncé in this category at your own peril. Queen Bey has won in this category 10 times, including the last six years in a row. H.E.R. is also a formidable challenger. In the female hip-hop category, the top contenders appear to be Cardi B, who has won the last two years running, seven-time winner Nicki Minaj and the red-hot Megan Thee Stallion.
Here are five other categories to keep your eye on:
Best new artist: If Lil Nas X wins, he’ll become the first artist to win both a BET Award and a CMA Award. He took the CMA Award for musical event of the year on Nov. 13 for “Old Town Road (Remix),” his megahit featuring Billy Ray Cyrus. But Lil Nas X faces stiff competition here from Roddy Ricch and Summer Walker.
Best male R&B/pop artist: The Weeknd could win in this category for the first time, though he must get past four-time champ Chris Brown and three-time winner Usher. Khalid is also a strong contender.
Best male hip-hop artist: Drake, who led all artists with six nominations this year, could be headed for his fifth win in this category, which would make him the top winner in the category’s history. He’s currently tied for that distinction with Kendrick Lamar.
Dr. Bobby Jones best gospel/inspirational award: If Kanye West’s “Follow God” wins, this would be the second year in a row that a mainstream hip hop star best known for secular music took the award. Snoop Dogg won last year for “Blessing Me Again” (featuring Rance Allen).
Best movie: Impressively, three of the six films nominated in this category had female directors. Kasi Lemmons directed Harriet, Melina Matsoukas oversaw Queen & Slim and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter (as she is known in her film work) did the honors on Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé. The three other nominated films had male directors. Those films are Bad Boys for Life (Adil & Bilall), Dolemite Is My Name (Craig Brewer) and Just Mercy (Destin Daniel Cretton).
Only one film directed by a woman has won in this category (which was introduced in 2010). That’s Selma, the 2015 winner, which Ava DuVernay directed. Will Harriet, Queen & Slim or Homecoming become the second? Tune into the BET Awards, which will air on CBS, BET and BET HER on June 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, to find out.
