Drake Leads the 2016 BET Awards Nominations — But Wait! Adele Snuck in There, Too

Will Adele show up? Photo: Getty Images

It isn’t summer without the BET Awards, and both are fast approaching — next month! Today we have our 2016 BET Awards nominations, which are unsurprisingly led by Drake with nine. Rihanna and Beyoncé trail him at five each, but wait, what’s that? They’re both up against … Adele? It’s true: Adele has been nominated for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist against Rih and her idol Beyoncé. Awkward! We know what you’re thinking and, yes, occasionally the BET Awards (which traditionally celebrates black artists) nominates white artists who’ve had a remarkable year. In the past, the network has nominated Justin Bieber, and, last year, Sam Smith won Best New Artist. But if Adele were to beat Rih and Bey, the odds are pretty high she’d pull a Kanye in Bey’s defense. The woman worships Beyoncé! Tune in to see that potentially cringeworthy moment on June 26, when the show airs live from L.A. — with a Prince tribute reportedly in the works.

Here’s the full list of nominees:

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Adele
Andra Day
Beyoncé
K. Michelle
Rihanna

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Bryson Tiller
Chris Brown
Jeremih
The Weeknd
Tyrese

Best Group
2 Chainz & Lil Wayne
Drake & Future
Puff Daddy & The Family
Rae Sremmurd
The Internet

Best Collaboration
Big Sean feat. Chris Brown & Ty Dolla $Ign – “Play No Games�
Big Sean feat. Kanye West & John Legend – “One Man Can Change the World�
Future feat. Drake – “Where Ya At�
Nicki Minaj feat. Beyoncé – “Feeling Myself�
Rihanna feat. Drake – “Work�

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Drake
Fetty Wap
Future
J. Cole
Kanye West
Kendrick Lamar

Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Dej Loaf
Lil Kim
Missy Elliott
Nicki Minaj
Remy Ma

Video of the Year
Beyoncé – “Formation�
Bryson Tiller – “Don’t�
Drake – “Hotline Bling�
Kendrick Lamar – “Alright�
Rihanna feat. Drake – “Work�

Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Chris Brown
Colin Tilley & the Little Homies
Director X
Hype Williams

Best New Artist
Alessia Cara
Andra Day
Bryson Tiller
Kehlani
Tory Lanez

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
Anthony Brown & Group Therapy
Erica Campbell
Kirk Franklin
Lecrae
Tamela Mann
Tasha Cobbs

Best Actress
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington
Taraji P. Henson
Tracee Ellis Ross
Viola Davis

Best Actor
Anthony Anderson
Courtney B. Vance
Idris Elba
Michael B. Jordan
O’shea Jackson Jr.

Youngstars Award
Amandla Stenberg
Quvenzhané Wallis
Silentó
Willow Smith
Yara Shahidi

Best Movie
Beasts of No Nation
Concussion
Creed
Dope
Straight Outta Compton

Sportswoman of the Year
Cheyenne Woods
Gabrielle Douglas
Serena Williams
Skylar Diggins
Venus Williams

Sportsman of the Year
Cam Newton
Kobe Bryant
Lebron James
Odell Beckham Jr.
Stephen Curry

Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
Beyoncé – “Formation�
Bryson Tiller – “Don’t�
Chris Brown – “Back to Sleep�
Drake – “Hotline Bling�
Future feat. Drake – “Where Ya At�
Rihanna feat. Drake – “Work�

Centric Award
Andra Day – “Rise Up�
Beyoncé – “Formation�
K. Michelle – “Not a Little Bit�
Rihanna – “Bitch Better Have My Money�
The Internet – “Under Control�

Best International Act Africa
Aka (South Africa)
Black Coffee (South Africa)
Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Mzvee (Ghana)
Serge Beynaud (Cote D’ivoire)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)

Best International Act U.K.
Kano
Krept & Konan
Lianne La Havas
Skepta
Stormzy
Tinie Tempah