By MESFIN FEKADU
AP Music Writer

NEW YORK — Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj are the top contenders at the upcoming BET Awards with six nominations each.

Brown will compete twice for video of the year with the hits Loyal and New Flame at the June 28 show in Los Angeles, BET announced last week. Minaj is up for the top prize with her eye-popping Anaconda music video.

Beyonce and Lil Wayne follow with four nominations each. Beyonce’s 7/11 also will compete for video of the year, along with Big Sean’s IDFWU and Common and John Legend’s Oscar-winning Glory, from the film Selma.

Brown’s nominations include best male R&B/pop artist and viewers’ choice award. He’s nominated twice for best collaboration thanks to Loyal, which features Lil Wayne and Tyga, and New Flame, which co-stars Usher and Rick Ross.

Minaj is nominated for best female hip-hop artist, best group as a member of Young Money and best collaboration for the remix of No Love with August Alsina. She’s nominated twice for the viewer’s choice award with her hit Only and as a guest on Rae Sremmurd’s Throw Some Mo.

Other nominees include The Weeknd, Fetty Wap, FKA twigs and Sam Smith, who will compete for best new artist. Empire stars Taraji P. Henson and Jussie Smollett are nominated for acting awards, while Serena Williams and Floyd Mayweather Jr. earned sports nominations.

“This year’s nominees showcase a diverse group of talent that includes longstanding entertainers, breakout performers, and outstanding athletes,” Stephen Hill, BET’s president of programming, said in a statement.

The BET Awards will air live from the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live.