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(AllHipHop News) Earlier today (May 22) at the BET Studios in New York City, Stephen Hill, President of BET’s Music Programming and Specials, was on hand to announce the 2012 BET Awards show’s nominees, recipient of the “Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award,” and host for the awards, to take place on July 1 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California.

After a number of comedians were tasked with hosting the awards show in years past, and for 2012 BET has given host duties to the highest grossing actor of all time, Samuel L. Jackson.

“We are massively excited about having Sam Jackson host the BET Awards,” Hill exclaimed. “His wit, presence, and gigantic personality are the perfect match for our show.”

Hill also revealed that, alongside a panel that included 2012 BET Awards nominees like A$AP Rocky, Big Sean, Melanie Fiona, DJ Khaled, Diggy Simmons, Astro, and Mindless Behavior, Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj would be performing at this year’s show. He promised that more announcements regarding performers would be made in the near future.

“Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award” recipient Frankie Beverly was also on-hand at the nomination event to speak on the prestigious honor of being recognized as part of the group Maze featuring Frankie Beverly.

Regarding nominees, Kanye West unsurprisingly leads the pack with seven nominations, some of which include “Best Collaboration,” “Video Director of the Year,” and five more with Watch The Throne member, Jay-Z.

Beyonce received six nominations, such as “Best Female R&B Artist” and two nods for “Video of the Year” for “Countdown” and “Love On Top.”

Speaking on his Best New Artist nomination, A$AP Rocky told AllHipHop.com, “It feels great, and I’m happy. That’s a really big deal so I’m happy for that. You couldn’t tell me in May of last year that we would be doing this. I wouldn’t have expected it, so I feel blessed and I just thank God all the time.

“The fans are the most ultimate importance of everything,” A$AP Rocky stated. “Without them there is no movement, and I’ve got a lot of supportive people right now and it’s crazy ’cause I didn’t expect this. I didn’t imagine none of this.”

For a full list of nominees, visit BET.com.

The 2012 BET Awards will air July 1 at 8pm only on BET

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