Rapper Jigga is up for five gongs while his missus is featured in four categories. Alicia Keys and Melanie Fiona also bagged four nods.

The BET Awards take place on June 27 in Los Angeles. Also nominated is teen pop sensation Justin Bieber who could pick up the prize for Best New Artist.

Although he seems an unusual choice for the ceremony the organisers said: "Justin Bieber has crossed the colour boundaries in the way hip-hop has the other way for a number of years.”