Drake leads the way at the 2013 Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards with 12 nominations.

The 26-year-old Canadian rapper is nominated three times for Video of the Year for his hits 'Started from the Bottom', 'No Lie' featuring 2 Chainz, and 'Problems' featuring A$AP Rocky, and is also up for Best Male Hip Hop and the Coca-Cola Viewers Choice Award.

He faces stiff competition for the top prize from Justin Timberlake for his comeback hit 'Suit & Tie', Kanye West for 'Mercy', Miguel for 'Adorn', and Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' 'Thrift Shop'.

Rappers Kendrick Lamar and 2 Chainz are both up for eight awards each, and other nominees include Rihanna, Beyonce and Kanye West.

The ceremony will take place on June 30 at the Nokia Theater Los Angeles Live and will be hosted by funnyman and 'Silver Linings Playbook' star Chris Tucker.

Speaking at a press conference after Kendrick Lamar and Tamar Braxton announced the nominations on Tuesday (14.05.13), Chris said: ''I'm the host this year and the theme is anything can happen. I have no idea what's going to happen but I'm excited. There are so many surprises I don't even know half of them yet. Anything can happen, I may not even show up.''

'Swimming Pools' rapper Kendrick revealed he is thrilled to be recognised in so many categories.

He said: ''I'm still fairly new at this so being nominated for anything is amazing.

''I'm excited to see 2 Chainz but I can't wait to see everyone. Everyone's talented and we all got such energy so it will be exciting.''

Newly-single Chris Brown, who is nominated for Best R&B/Pop Artist against Usher, Bruno Mars, Miguel and Justin Timberlake, is looking forward to performing at the star-studded event and plans to surprise his fans.

The 24-year-old 'Fine China' hitmaker said: ''I'm just trying to lift up the black community and I'm excited to see the fans and to take part in the BET Awards this year.

''I wanna bring something new and original for the fans.''

R&B singer Charlie Wilson will be honoured with the 2013 Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award at the event and is already preparing his speech.

He said: ''I am still so baffled and giddy and happy and trying to come up with the words. Can't explain how happy I am, when you get a lifetime achievement award you worry people are trying to get rid of you but I'll be around for quite a while.''

Estelle, Marsha Ambrosius, Labrinth, Rita Ora, Emeli Sandé and Wiley will battle it out for Best International Act UK.

Halle Berry, who is expecting her second child, is up against Angela Bassett, Taraji P. Henson, Gabrielle Union and Kerry Washington for Best Actress, while Jamie Foxx will compete with Don Cheadle, Common, Samuel L. Jackson and Denzel Washington for Best Actor.

The awards were created in 2001 to celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past 12 months.

Catch the BET Awards on Tuesday, July 2 @ 8pm only on BET, Sky 187 & Freesat 140

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Full list of 2013 BET Award Nominations:

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 Behaviour

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

YoungStars 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

Wiley