Updated - The 'Hottest Ticket on Television' Has Been Announced: The BET Awards '08

NEW YORK, May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- BET Networks, a unit of Viacom NYSE: VIA NYSE: VIA.B, today announced the nominees, performers and recipients of the Lifetime Achievement and Humanitarian honors for the BET AWARDS '08. The BET AWARDS '08 is raising the stakes and promises to be the "hottest ticket on television" for the eighth year running, as the biggest stars in music, sports and entertainment unite in Los Angeles' historic Shrine Auditorium for a night of explosive LIVE performances on Tuesday, June 24 at 8:00 PM ET/PT. As in years past, the BET AWARDS '08 will continue its landmark tradition of hot performances by some of today's heavy hitters, including Usher, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Lil' Wayne and Nelly. The host, along with additional presenters and performers, will be announced shortly.

At this year's most hyped event, BET will recognize the achievements of artists, entertainers and athletes in 15 categories. Hip hop R&B singer, songwriter and producer T-Pain tops the line-up with five nominations for his collaborations with Chris Brown, Kanye West and Flo Rida, followed by Chris Brown with four nods and rapper/producer Kanye West earning three nominations with his successful third album, "Graduation," in the Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Best Collaboration and Video of the Year categories.

Among the other multiple nominees are R&B songstress Mary J. Blige for Best Female R&B, as well as Video of the Year for "Just Fine," along with Ne-Yo, Flo Rida, Alicia Keys and Keyshia Cole.

Those nominated for the second straight year include Jay-Z and Lil' Wayne for Best Male Hip Hop; Mary J. Blige for Best Female R&B; last year's Best Male R&B winner Ne-Yo; Angela Bassett and Chandra Wilson for Best Actress; last year's winner, basketball sensation LeBron James, boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr., and golfing phenomenon Tiger Woods for Male Athlete of the Year; smash hitter and four-time category winner Serena Williams and b-ball superstar Tamika Catchings for Female Athlete of the Year.

In keeping with the history-making track record of the most highly anticipated night in Black entertainment, BET is pulling out all of the stops in naming this year's special honorees. Legendary R&B icon Al Green will be in the house to receive BET's Lifetime Achievement Award. Joining him will be celebrated producer/arranger/composer Quincy Jones, who will be honored with BET's prestigious Humanitarian Award for his outreach to young African- Americans through the Listen Up Foundation, a charity which connects youth with music, technology and culture. In addition, Jones helped launch the We Are the Future project, giving hope to children in poor and conflict-ridden areas.

For the past seven years, the BET AWARDS has boasted unforgettable moments such as Michael Jackson's surprise appearance during James Brown's tribute; Rick James in his final duet with Teena Marie; Will Smith presenting Muhammad Ali with the first-ever Humanitarian Award; Prince onstage backing Chaka Khan; Stevie Wonder, Yolanda Adams and India.Arie in a powerhouse tribute to Rufus' first lady of funk; Destiny's Child's steamy lap dance; the reunion of one of hip hop's most beloved trios, The Fugees; and last year's touching opening performance with Jennifer Hudson and Jennifer Holliday and Public Enemy's tribute to James Brown.

BET has once again teamed with Cossette Productions, the famed producers of the GRAMMY Awards(R) and the seven record-setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle production of the telecast. Stephen Hill, BET Executive Vice President, Music and Programming, along with Lynne Harris-Taylor, BET Vice President of Specials, will executive produce the telecast.

BET AWARDS '08 will be sponsored by Dodge, Pepsi, Verizon Wireless, General Motors, P&G, Target, CIROC Vodka and Ford.

Log onto BET.com for BET On Blast video highlights, photos and continuous BET AWARDS '08 updates at www.bet.com/betawards.

    BET AWARDS '08
    NOMINEES AND CATEGORIES

    Best Female R&B       Best Male R&B               Best Group
    Mary J. Blige         Chris Brown                 Danity Kane
    Mariah Carey          Raheem DeVaughn             Day 26
    Keyshia Cole          J. Holiday                  Gnarls Barkley
    Alicia Keys           Ne-Yo                       Playaz Circle
    Rihanna               Trey Songz                  UGK

    Best Gospel Artist    Best Female Hip Hop Artist  Best Male Hip Hop Artist
    The Clark Sisters     Missy Elliott               Common
    Kirk Franklin         Eve                         Jay-Z
    Deitrick Haddon       Kid Sister                  Lil Wayne
    Marvin Sapp           Lil Mama                    Snoop Dogg
    Trin-I-Tee 5:7        Trina                       Kanye West

    Best New Artist       Best Collaboration
    Estelle               Chris Brown f/ T-Pain "Kiss Kiss"
    Flo Rida              Keyshia Cole f/ Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim "Let It Go"
    Chrisette Michelle    Flo Rida f/ T-Pain "Low"
    Soulja Boy Tell'em    Kanye West f/ T-Pain "Good Life"
    The Dream             DJ Khaled f/ Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes,
                          Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman and Rick Ross
                          "I'm So Hood (The Remix)"

    Best Video Director           Video of the Year
    Erykah Badu and Mr. Roboto    Ashanti "The Way That I Love You"
    Benny Boom                    Erykah Badu "Honey"
    Gil Green                     Mary J. Blige "Just Fine"
    Chris Robinson                Alicia Keys "Like You'll Never See Me Again"
    Hype Williams                 UGK f/ Outkast "International Player's
                                  Anthem (I Choose You)"
                                  Kanye West f/ T-Pain "Good Life"

    Best Actress           Best Actor             Female Athlete of the Year
    Angela Bassett         Anthony Anderson       Tamika Catchings
    Halle Berry            Don Cheadle            Cheryl Ford
    Queen Latifah          Idris Elba             Candace Parker
    Jill Scott             Terrence Howard        Serena Williams
    Chandra Wilson         Denzel Washington      Venus Williams

    Male Athlete of the Year     Viewer's Choice Award
    Kobe Bryant                  Chris Brown f/ T-Pain "Kiss Kiss"
    LeBron James                 Keyshia Cole f/ Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim
    Floyd Mayweather, Jr.        "Let It Go"
    Chris Paul                   Alicia Keys "No One"
    Tiger Woods                  Lil Wayne f/ Static "Lollipop"
                                 Jordin Sparks f/ Chris Brown "No Air"
                                 Soulja Boy Tell'em "Crank Dat (Soulja Boy)"