BET Awards Preview: Beyonce, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Kelly Rowland, And More

Chris Brown may have the edge on most nominations at this year’s BET Awards, but the most anticipated performer (according to Idolator readers in our current poll) is — surprise, surprise — Beyonce! We’re not entirely sure yet what the someday-mommy-to-be will sing — what with all the tracks from 4 that are sorta-almost-maybe singles, she has a lot to choose from. Will Bey try and outdo her showstopping Billboard rendition of “Run The World”? Or will she instead try to pick up some momentum for underperforming single “Best Thing I Never Had”? Might this be a good opportunity to push a new song that stands a better chance of being 4‘s first real hit?

Or maybe Beyonce can just use the BET Awards to prove she can remember all the lyrics to “Bohemian Rhapsody”? Personally, we’re hoping for something energetic and upbeat that lets Bey display those killer dance moves. Most likely, that’s “Run The World.”

Following the “Schoolin’ Life” songbird’s #1 rank in our poll, her Destiny’s Child sister Kelly Rowland is the second most-anticipated performer. We’re reasonably certain Kel will bust out her sexy, summery jam “Motivation,” perhaps with an assist by Lil Wayne.

Following the “Schoolin’ Life” songbird’s #1 rank in our poll, her Destiny’s Child sister Kelly Rowland is the second most-anticipated performer. We’re reasonably certain Kel will bust out her sexy, summery jam “Motivation,” perhaps with an assist by Lil Wayne.

Regardless of whether or not Weezy joins Kelly, he’ll definitely hit the stage. “6 Foot 7 Foot” is up for a Viewer’s Choice award, so we’re betting on that rousing little number as the one he goes with, even though it’s an older Tha Carter IV single. (It’s not like he was an actual album out soon that needs promoting or anything.)

Will Weezy also join Breezy for “Look At Me Now”? It’s possible! That tune is up for Best Collaboration, Video Of The Year, and Viewer’s Choice, though Chris Brown is also nominated for “Deuces.”

Nicki Minaj, Alicia Keys, Drake, Mary J. Blige, Trey Songz, and Jill Scott are also set to perform, while “Cho Cha” singer Cee Lo will make a special appearance. There initially were some rumors of some sort of on-stage peace offering between Nicki Minaj and her arch-nemesis Lil Kim, which couldn’t possibly be not entertaining — but the Black Friday rapper has since tweeted that she will “absolutely NOT be at the EBT Awards Sunday.” (We’ll just assume she means BET.)

And what would the BET Awards be without, um, Justin Bieber? Though he’s not nominated, The Biebs will be on hand to cheer on friends like Usher, Chris Brown, and fellow Canadian Drake.

The show will be broadcast live from LA’s Shrine Auditorium tonight.