Mary J. Blige

Los Angeles was alive with the sounds of R&B, hip-hop and gospel Tuesday (May 16th) as the nominees for the 2006 BET Awards were announced. The Black Entertainment Network doles out awards annually in 15 categories spanning music, television, film and sports.

Mary J. Blige and Jamie Foxx led the R&B pack with four nominations apiece. Blige's mentions include nods for Best Female R&B Artist and Video of the Year for her hit single "Be Without You." Academy Award-winner Jamie Foxx has proved that actors dipping into music can actually be a good thing.

Ne-Yo and Chris Brown each received three nods while Anthony Hamilton, Ciara, Keyshia Cole, Mariah Carey, Mary Mary, and India.Arie garnered two nominations apiece.

During the ceremony hosted by Damon Wayons, R&B singer Chaka Khan will receive the BET Lifetime Achievement Award and Harry Belafonte will be honored with the BET Humanitarian Award.

The awards ceremony will be broadcast live from the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium June 27 on BET.