Homeboys Ayo 'Wizkid' Balogun and Panshak 'Ice Prince' Zamani have been recognized by the the 2012 BET Awards. Both acts have been nominated in the 'Best International Act: Africa' category. The nominations were announced in New York with Mindless Behavior, Big Sean, Melanie Fiona, DJ Khaled, Astro, A$AP Rocky and Diggy among those present for the nominations ceremony. The list which was unveiled last night sees the two gifted Nigerian artistes up against the likes of Kenyan Hip-Hop/R&B group Camp Mulla, Ghanian rapper Sarkodie, South African singer Lira and French speaking Malian rapper Mokobe for the coveted Best African Act prize. Wizkid who released his debut album ‘Superstar‘ last year has had a fantastic run; winning a MOBO Award, signing up with Akon’s Konvict Music and touring Nigerian and the UK. He is to kick off his US tour later in the year. Ice Prince has also had it going pretty well for him; also releasing his debut ‘Everybody Loves Ice Prince‘, collaborating with Jamaican reggae singer Gyptian and winning the ’Best African Act’ at the 2012 Ghana Music Awards.

Last year, African pop giants D’banj and 2face came out tops and received a joint award prize in the same category. US rapper Kanye West leads this year’s nominations list with seven nods, six of which are from his star collaboration with Jay Z off the ‘Watch the Throne‘ album The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, July 1, 2012 at the Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium and will be hosted by veteran Hollywood actor and ‘Avengers’ star Samuel L Jackson with performances from Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj.

[color=orange]Best Female R&B Artist
Marsha Ambrosius
Beyoncé
Mary J. Blige
Melanie Fiona
Rihanna

[color=orange]Best Male R&B Artist
Chris Brown
Bruno Mars
Miguel
Trey Songz
Usher

[color=orange]Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
Big Sean
Drake
J. Cole
Lil Wayne
Rick Ross
Young Jeezy

[color=orange]Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Nicki Minaj
Diamond
Trina
Brianna Perry

[color=orange]Best Group
Bad Meets Evil
Diddy-Dirty Money
Maybach Music Group
Mindless Behavior
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West)

[color=orange]Best New Artist
A$AP Rocky
Big Sean
Diggy
Future
Meek Mill

[color=orange]Best Collaboration
Beyoncé f/ J. Cole – “Party”
Big Sean f/ Kanye West & Roscoe Dash – “Marvin & Chardonnay”
DJ Khaled f/ Drake, Rick Ross, and Lil Wayne – “I’m on One”
Drake f/ Lil Wayne and Tyga – “The Motto”
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) f/ Otis Redding – “Otis”
Wale f/ Miguel – “Lotus Flower Bomb”

[color=orange]Video of the Year
Beyoncé – “Countdown”
Beyoncé – “Love on Top”
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) – “Ni**as in Paris”
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) – “Otis”
Usher – “Climax”

[color=orange]Video Director of the Year
Beyoncé and Alan Ferguson
Benny Boom
Chris Brown and Godfrey Tabarez
Kanye West
Hype Williams

[color=orange]Best Gospel
Yolanda Adams
Kim Burrell
James Fortune & FIYA
Fred Hammond
Trin-I-Tee 5:7

[color=orange]YoungStars Award
Astro
Diggy
Jacob Latimore
Keke Palmer
Willow Smith

[color=orange]Viewers’ Choice Award
Drake f/ Lil Wayne & Tyga – “The Motto”
Beyoncé – “Love on Top”
Chris Brown – “Turn Up the Music”
Mindless Behavior – “Hello”
The Throne f/ Otis Redding – “Otis”
Wale f/ Miguel – “Lotus Flower Bomb”

[color=orange]Centric Award
Common
Estelle
Robert Glasper
Robin Thicke
Tyrese

[color=orange]Best International Act: U.K.
Estelle
Labrinth
Emeli Sande
Sway
Wretch 32

[color=red]Best International Act: Africa
Camp Mulla (Kenya)
Ice Prince (Nigeria)
Lira (South Africa)
Mokobe (Mali)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Wizkid (Nigeria)

[color=orange]Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Viola Davis
Taraji P. Henson
Regina King
Zoe Saldana

Best Actor
Don Cheadle
Common
Idris Elba
Kevin Hart
Denzel Washington

Best Movie
Good Deeds
Jumping the Broom
Laugh at My Pain
Red Tails
The Help

Sportswoman of the Year
Skylar Diggins
Candace Parker
Brittney Griner
Serena Williams
Venus Williams

Sportsman of the Year
Carmelo Anthony
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Victor Cruz
Kevin Durant

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