I’M KENDRICK LAMAR: Compton hip-hop sensation Kendrick Lamar garnered eight BET Award nominations and is shown here on the red carpet at L.A.’s Icon Ultra Lounge on May 14 in downtown Los Angeles. VALERIE GOODLOE FOR SENTINEL

ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN: BET Awards|13 host Chris Tucker is shown here at the all star presser held this week downtown to announce the nominations. Tucker playing to the themes of ‘Anything Can Happen’ quipped that he might not even show up. VALERIE GOODLOE FOR SENTINEL

 Joined on stage by Chris Brown, Chris Tucker, Charlie Wilson

and Tamar Braxton local phenom is prime choice at L.A.’s Icon Ultra Lounge

Black Entertainment Television (BET) rolled out its heavy hitters for the launching of BET Awards|13 and BET Experience weekend at L.A. Live from June 28-30, at an all star presser on Tuesday May 14 at L.A.’s Icon Ultra Lounge in downtown Los Angeles.

Hosted by the BET President of Music Programming and Specials Stephen G. Hill, a galaxy of entertainment media reps showed up in force to catch rising hip hop star Kendrick Lamar, super-star Chris Brown, actor/comedian and award show host Christ Tucker, and singer and television personality Tamar Braxton.

Hip–hop slugger Drake led all artists with 12 nominations, including Best Male Hip Hop Artist and Video of the Year, but Compton sensation Lamar was right behind with eight nominations.

Brown who has won more BET Awards than any other performer made the announcement of the nominations which also included eight for 2Chainz, A$AP Rocky with five; while Jay Z was among the other leaders with four nominations.

Drake is nominated three times for the top prize, video of the year. His hit, “Started from the Bottom,” will compete with his collaborations with 2 Chainz (“No Lie”) and A$AP Rocky (“Problems”). The top award has 10 nominees, including Justin Timberlake’s “Suit & Tie,” Kanye West’s “Mercy,” ”Adorn” by Miguel and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Thrift Shop.”

Charlie Wilson was announced as this year’s Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award honoree. He was on hand for the press conference as was Chris Brown.

Brown was announced as the first confirmed performer. He told those gathered that he “just wants to have fun” that night. “I always strive to give fans what they want. I always want to bring something new and original.”  Brown also noted during the Q&A portion that he has finished the video for the song “They Don’t Know” and that song features vocals from the late Aaliyah “that haven’t been heard before.”

R. Kelly will also perform at the awards show, to air live June 30 from the Nokia Theater L.A. Live. This year’s BET Awards will be the culmination of the cable net’s first ever BET Experience, a three-day music and lifestyle fest done in partnership with AEG Live that will also feature ‘A Taste of Taste of Soul.’

Chris Tucker will bring his own special brand of levity as BET Awards host. Riffing on the BET theme “Anything can happen,” Tucker joked, “I don’t know what I’m going to do… I might not show up. So anything can happen.” 

Check out the full list of nominees at lasentinel.net

Here’s the full list of nominees for the BET Awards ’13.

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

Beyoncé

Tamar Braxton

Alicia Keys

Rihanna

Elle Varner

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

Chris Brown

Bruno Mars

Miguel

Justin Timberlake

Usher

Best Group

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Mary Mary

Mindless Behavior

Slaughterhouse

The Throne (Kanye West & Jay-Z)

Best Collaboration

2 Chainz f/ Drake – No Lie

A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – Problems

French Montana f/ Rick Ross, Drake and Lil Wayne – Pop That

Kendrick Lamar f/ Drake – Poetic Justice

Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – Suit & Tie

Kanye West f/ 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 Minaj

Rasheeda

Rye Rye

Video of the Year

2 Chainz f/ Drake – No Lie

A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – Problems

Drake – Started From The Bottom

Drake f/ Lil Wayne – HYFR

Kendrick Lamar f/ Drake – Poetic Justice

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f/ Wanz – Thrift Shop

Miguel – Adorn

Rihanna – Diamonds

Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – Suit & Tie

Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz – Mercy

Video Director of the Year

A$AP Rocky & Sam Lecca

Benny Boom

Director X

Dre Films

Hype Williams

Best New Artist

Azealia Banks

Joey Bada$$

Kendrick Lamar

Trinidad Jame$

The Weeknd

Best Gospel Artist

Deitrick Haddon

Lecrae

Tamela Mann

Mary Mary

Marvin Sapp

Best Actress

Angela Bassett

Halle Berry

Taraji P. Henson

Gabrielle Union

Kerry Washington

Best Actor

Don Cheadle

Common

Jamie Foxx

Samuel L. Jackson

Denzel Washington

Young Stars Award

Gabrielle Douglas

Jacob Latimore

Keke Palmer

Jaden Smith

Quvenzhané Wallis

Best Movie

Beasts of the Southern Wild

Django Unchained

Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap

Sparkle

Think Like A Man

Subway Sportswoman of the Year

Gabrielle Douglas

Brittney Griner

Candace Parker

Serena Williams

Venus Williams

Subway Sportsman of the Year

Victor Cruz

Kevin Durant

Robert Griffin III

LeBron James

Ray Lewis

Coca-Cola Viewers Choice Award

A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – Problems

Drake – Started From The Bottom

Kendrick Lamar – Swimming Pools (Drank)

Miguel – Adorn

Rihanna – Diamonds

Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – Suit & Tie

Centric Award

Tamar Braxton – Love and War

Fantasia – Lose To Win

Miguel – Adorn

Nas – Daughters

Charlie Wilson – My Love Is All I Have

Best International Act: Africa

2Face Idibia (Nigeria)

Toya Delazy (South Africa)

Donald (South Africa)

Ice Prince (Nigeria)

R2Bees (Ghana)

Radio and Weasel (Uganda)

Best International Act: UK

Marsha Ambrosius

Estelle

Labrinth

Rita Ora

Emeli Sandé