Look at Chris Brown now.
The resurgent R&B star, who scored the first No. 1 album of his career this year with F.A.M.E., leads the field heading into the 2011 BET Awards with six nominations, including nods for Best Male R&B Artist, Video of the Year and, er, Best Actor.
Coming in next with five nominations is Lil Wayne, who will square off in the Best Male Hip-Hop category with Kanye West and Drake, both with four apiece, as well as B.o.B. and Rick Ross.
Rihanna tops the ladies with four nominations, including Best Female R&B Artist, Coca-Cola Viewers' Choice, and twice for Best Collaboration, for "What's My Name" with Drake and West's "All of the Lights."
Brown will be competing against his ex twice--guess it was a good thing they worked out that restraining order business --in the viewers' choice category with "Look at Me Now" (with Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes) and for Best Collaboration, where he's nominated for "Look at me Now" and "Deuces" with Tyga and Kevin McCall.
Along with Rihanna, rounding out the Best Female R&B Artist race are Beyonc, Keri Hilson, Jennifer Hudson and Marsha Ambrosius. Brown is up against Cee Lo Green, Bruno Mars, Trey Songz and Usher for Best Male R&B Artist.
Mars will be competing against wee Willow Smith for Best New Artist. The precocious 10-year-old's "Whip My Hair" is also nominated for Video fo the Year and she and brother Jaden are up for the YoungStars Award.
Brown, who in case you're wondering about the acting thing, was in the film Takers last year. But he has to beat out the likes of Don Cheadle and Idris Elba to win.
The 2011 BET Awards airs live June 26 from Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium.
Here's the complete list of nominees:
- Best Female R&B Artist
Marsha Ambrosius Beyonc Keri Hilson Jennifer Hudson Rihanna
- Best Male R&B Artist
Chris Brown Cee Lo Green Bruno Mars Trey Songz Usher
- Best Group
Diddy-Dirty Money Cali Swag District N.E.R.D. New Boyz Travis Porter
- Best Collaboration
B.o.B. featuring Haley Williams of Paramore, "Airplanes" Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne &Busta Rhymes, "Look at Me Now" Chris Brown featuring Tyga &Kevin McCall, "Deuces" Waka Flocka Flame featuring Roscoe Dash &Wale, "No Hands" Rihanna featuring Drake, "What's My Name" Kanye West featuring Rihanna, "All of The Lights"
- Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
B.o.B. Drake Lil Wayne Rick Ross Kanye West
- Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Diamond Cymphonique Lola Monroe Nicki Minaj
- Video of the Year
Marsha Ambrosius, "Far Away" B.o.B. featuring Hayley Williams of Paramore, "Airplanes" Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne &Busta Rhymes, "Look at Me Now" Keri Hilson, "Pretty Girl Rock" Willow Smith, "Whip My Hair" Kanye West featuring Pusha T, "Runaway"
- Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom Mr. Boomtown Chris Robinson Kanye West Hype Williams
- Best New Artist
J. Cole Bruno Mars Miguel Willow Smith Wiz Khalifa
- Best Gospel
Byron Cage Deitrick Haddon Mary Mary Karen Clark Sheard BeBe &CeCe Winans
- Best Actress
Halle Berry Taraji P. Henson Regina King Zoe Saldana Kerry Washington
- Best Actor
Laz Alonso Chris Brown Don Cheadle Idris Elba Jamie Foxx
- YoungStars Award
Shenell Edmonds Keke Palmer Diggy Simmons Jaden Smith Willow Smith
- Best Movie
Death at a Funeral For Colored Girls Takers The Book of Eli Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too?
Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Tamika Catchings Candice Dupree Maya Moore Serena Williams Venus Williams
- Subway Sportsman of the Year
Carmelo Anthony Kobe Bryant LeBron James Derrick Rose Michael Vick
Coca-Cola Viewers' Choice Nominees
Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne &Busta Rhymes, "Look at Me Now" Lil Wayne featuring Cory Gunz, "6 Foot 7 Foot" Mindless Behavior, "My Girl" Nicki Minaj featuring Drake, "Moment 4 Life" Rihanna featuring Drake, "What's My Name" Trey Songz featuring Nicki Minaj, "Bottoms Up"
Centric Award
Marsha Ambrosius Eric Benet Cee Lo Green R. Kelly Kem
Best International Act: Africa
2Face Idibia (Nigeria) D'Banj (Nigeria) D-Black (Ghana) Angelique Kidjo (Benin) Fally Ipupa (Congo DR) Teargas (South Africa)
Best International Act: UK
VV Brown Chipmunk Laura Izibor Skepta Tinchy Stryder Tinie Tempah