Alicia & Erykah Announced As Nominees At BET Awards

It was announced on Wednesday that the realms of music and virtual reality will be brought together at an elite celebration by BET J, the world’s first network to attempt this feat. Heading the opening lists of nominees are Alicia Keys and Erykah Badu who are in battle over 3 awards that include Song and Album of the Year.

The Awards ceremony hopes to pay tribute to several rookie musicians on the scene as well as celebrated and seasoned performers . Also in the spotlight will be other luminaries who are attempting to make a name in the movie industry. Performances will be aired from several locations including New York, Atlanta, and Washington D.C.

Comedian Chris Spencer and actress Nia Long will co-host the event – the BET J Virtual Awards that is scheduled to hit the airwaves at 8.30 pm ET on the 25th of November

During a unique segment entitled ‘My Time Online”. Viewers will also be able to display their talents by performing one of five songs that will be nominated.

A panel of major musical personages will judge videos that viewers can upload at bet.com/betjvirtualawards between the 5th and 12th of November. The winning performance will be shown at the BET J Virtual Awards and the lucky singer will be awarded their own statuette along with the airing of an acceptance speech.

Below, is a comprehensive list of the categories and corresponding nominees for the:

BET J VIRTUAL AWARDS.

Album of the Year:
– Alicia Keys, As I Am, J Records
– Angie Stone, The Art of Love and War, Stax / Concord Music Group
– Erykah Badu, New Amerykah, Pt.1 (4th World War), Universal Motown
Records
– Chaka Khan, Funk This, Burgundy Records
– Lenny Kravitz, It’s Time for a Love Revolution, Virgin Records America
– Raheem DeVaughn, Love Behind the Melody, Jive Records/Zomba Label
Group

Song of the Year:
– American Boy, William Adans, Keith Harris, Josh Lopez, Spier Caleb,
Estelle Swaray, Kanye West
– Honey, E. Badu, F. Baskett, Patrick Douthit, C. McDonald, D. Shields
– Just Fine, Phaton Alexander, Mary J. Blige, Terius “The-Dream’ Nash,
Christopher Stewart
– Love Revolution, Lenny Kravitz, Craig Ross
– Teenage Love Affair, Josephine Bridges, Carl Hampton, Alicia Keys,
Harold Lilly, Tom Nixon, Jack Splash
– Woman, Raheem DeVaughn, C Thompson

Virtual Video of the Year:
– Common, Drivin Me Wild
– Erykah Badu, Honey
– Solange, I Decided
– Robin Thicke, Magic
– T Pain, Can’t Believe It
– Wyclef Jean, Fast Car

Soul Approved - Best New Artist:
– Algebra, Kedar Entertainment
– Chrisette Michele, The Island Def Jam Music Group
– Estelle, Home School/Atlantic Records
– Jennifer Hudson, Arista
– Solange, Geffen/Music World Entertainment
– Terrence Howard, Columbia Records

Jazz Artist:
– Chris Botti, Columbia Records
– Harry Connick Jr., Columbia Records
– Patti Austin, Rendezvous Entertainment
– Stanley Clarke, Roxboro Entertainment Group
– Tony Bennett, Columbia Records
– Wynton Marsalis, Blue Note Records

Contemporary Jazz Artist:
– Al Jarraeu, The Concord Music Group
– Dianne Reeves, The Blue Note Label Group
– Herbie Hancock, The Verve Music Group
– Kenny G, The Concord Music Group
– George Duke, BPM Records
– S.M.V.-Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten, S.M.V. LLC

Best Gospel Artist:
– BeBe Winans, Koch Records
– Mary Mary, Columbia Records
– Israel & New Breed , Integrity Media, Inc
– Kirk Franklin, Fo Yo Soul/Gospo Centric/ Zomba
– Marvin Sapp, Verity Records/ Zomba Gospel
– Trin-I-Tee 5:7, Spirit Rising Music/Music World Entertainment

Best Caribbean Artist:
– Alison Hinds, RCG/ Black Coral/ 1720 Entertainment
– Elephant Man, Bad Boy Records
– Fay-Ann Lyons, VP Music
– Machel Montano, Ruf Rex Productions LTD. / Xtatik LTD
– Morgan Heritage, VP Music
– Mavado, Greensleeves Records

Best Underground Artist:
– Conya Doss, Album: Still; Song: What I’d Do; Label: Conyadoss Music
– Eric Roberson, Album Left …; Song: Pretty Girl; Label: Blue Erro
Soul
– Heston, Album: Storyteller, Song: No Way, Label: Worldsoul Records
– Liv Warfield, Album Embrace Me; Song: Groove DJ; Label: B&M
– Rahsaan Patterson, Album: Wine and Spirits; Song: Stop Breaking My
Heat; Label: Artistry Music
– Vikter Duplaix; Album: Bold and Beautiful; Song: Make A Baby; Label:
BBE

Male Artist of the Year:
– Common, Geffen Records
– John Legend, G.O.O.D Music/Columbia Records
– Lenny Kravitz, Virgin Records America
– Raheem DeVaughn, Jive Records/Zomba label Group
– Terrence Howard, Columbia Records
– Wyclef Jean, Columbia Records

Female Artist of the Year:
– Alicia Keys, J Records
– Chrisette Michele, The Island Def Jam Music Group
– Estelle, Home School/Atlantic Records
– Jill Scott, Hidden Beach Recordings
– Ledisi, The Verve Music Group
– Janet Jackson, The Island Def Jam Music Group

Live Performer of the Year:
– Erykah Badu
– Gnarls Barkley
– Mike Phillips
– The Roots
– Raheem DeVaughn
– Wyclef Jean

Best Film:
– American Gangster, Director: Ridley Scott; Producers: Brian Grazer and
Ridley Scott
– I Am Legend, Director: Francis Lawrence, Producers: Akiva Goldberg,
David Heyman, James Lassite and Neal H. Moritz
– Meet the Browns, Director: Tyler Perry and Producer: Reuben Cannon and
Tyler Perry
– The Great Debaters, Director: Denzel Washington, Producers: Todd Black,
Kate Forte, Joe Roth and Oprah Winfrey
– Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins, Malcolm D. Lee and Producers: Charles
Castaldi, Mary Parent and: Scott Stuber

Best Actor:
– David Man, Meet the Browns
– Denzel Washington, The Great Debaters
– Denzel Washington, American Gangster
– Derek Luke, Lions for Lambs
– Martin Lawrence, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins
– Will Smith, I Am Legend

Best Actress:
– Angela Basset, Meet the Browns
– Halle Berry, Things We Lost In the Fire
– Jill Scott, Why Did I Get Married
– Jurnee Smollett, The Great Debaters
– Loretta Devine, This Christmas
– Ruby Dee, American Gangsters