Coolness alert! ... songstress Lira has been nominated for a 2012 BET award for Best International Act: Africa.
The nominee list was announced in New York last night to a bevvy of star industry names and includes a multi-nomination scoop for Kanye West and Jay-Z for their project The Throne.
Joining Lira in the category are Sarkodie from Ghana, Camp Mulla from Kenya, Mokobe from Mali and Ice Prince and Wizkid from Nigeria.
The category was introduced for the first time last year and delivered a double-win blitz for Naija with 2Face Idibia and D'Banj both taking home trophies.
The awards take place on Sunday 1 July and will be hosted Samuel L. Jackson. Performers who've already been confirmed to perform include Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown.
The ceremony will air on BET on Top TV on Tuesday, 3 July at 20h00.
The full list of nominees are:
Best International Act: AfricaCamp Mulla (Kenya)
Ice Prince (Nigeria)
Lira (South Africa)
Mokobe (Mali)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Best Female R&B ArtistMarsha Ambrosius
Beyoncé
Mary J. Blige
Melanie Fiona
Rihanna
Best Male R&B ArtistChris Brown
Bruno Mars
Miguel
Trey Songz
Usher
Best Male Hip-Hop ArtistBig Sean
Drake
J. Cole
Lil Wayne
Rick Ross
Young Jeezy
Best Female Hip-Hop ArtistNicki Minaj
Diamond
Trina
Brianna Perry
Best GroupBad Meets Evil
Diddy-Dirty Money
Maybach Music Group
Mindless Behavior
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West)
Best New ArtistA$AP Rocky
Big Sean
Diggy
Future
Meek Mill
Best CollaborationBeyoncé ft./ J. Cole – “Party””
Big Sean ft./ Kanye West & Roscoe Dash – “Marvin & Chardonnay”
DJ Khaled ft./ Drake, Rick Ross, and Lil Wayne – “I’m On One”
Drake ft./ Lil Wayne and Tyga – “The Motto”
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) ft./ Otis Redding – “Otis”
Wale ft./ Miguel – “Lotus Flower Bomb”
Video of the YearBeyoncé – “Countdown”
Beyoncé – “Love on Top”
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) – “Ni**as in Paris”
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) – “Otis”
Usher – “Climax”
Video Director of the YearBeyoncé and Alan Ferguson
Benny Boom
Chris Brown and Godfrey Tabarez
Kanye West
Hype Williams
Best GospelYolanda Adams
Kim Burrell
James Fortune & FIYA
Fred Hammond
Trin-I-Tee 5:7
YoungStars AwardAstro
Diggy
Jacob Latimore
Keke Palmer
Willow Smith
Viewers’ Choice AwardDrake ft./ Lil Wayne & Tyga – “The Motto”
Beyoncé – “Love on Top”
Chris Brown – “Turn Up the Music”
Mindless Behavior – “Hello”
The Throne ft./ Otis Redding – “Otis”
Wale ft./ Miguel – “Lotus Flower Bomb”
Centric AwardCommon
Estelle
Robert Glasper
Robin Thicke
Tyrese
Best International Act: U.K.Estelle
Labrinth
Emeli Sande
Sway
Wretch 32
Best ActressAngela Bassett
Viola Davis
Taraji P. Henson
Regina King
Zoe Saldana
Best ActorDon Cheadle
Common
Idris Elba
Kevin Hart
Denzel Washington
Best MovieGood Deeds
Jumping the Broom
Laugh at My Pain
Red Tails
The Help
Sportswoman of the YearSkylar Diggins
Candace Parker
Brittney Griner
Serena Williams
Venus Williams
Sportsman of the YearCarmelo Anthony
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Victor Cruz
Kevin Durant