2017 BET Awards predictions

Nominees

Gabrielle Union, Issa Rae, Janelle Monae, Taraji P. Henson, Viola Davis

Winner: Taraji P. Henson

Henson might be one of the hardest working actors currently active. She's been all over the place this year in both TV and movies – most notably in "Empire" and in "Hidden Figures." We think she edges out Viola Davis for the award this year.

Nominees

Bryshere Y. Gray, Denzel Washington, Donald Glover, Mahershala Ali, Omari Hardwick

Winner: Mahershala Ali

This category is about as stacked as it could be, but with great performances in "Hidden Figures," "Moonlight," and the amazing "Luke Cage" miniseries, Mahershala Ali has done enough to edge out the competition here.

Nominees

"Get Out", "Moonlight", "Hidden Figures" "Fences", "The Birth of a Nation"

Winner: "Get Out"

There are cases to be made for each and every movie on this list, but "Get Out" is brilliant. Weaving a terrifying psychological horror masterpiece from the experience of being black in America sets it apart.

Nominees

21 Savage, Cardi B, Chance the Rapper, Khalid, Young M.A.

Winner: Young M.A

It's always odd to see Chano on these new artist lists –especially for an awards show that gave him a humanitarian award last year. Either way, it'd be odd for him to take home this honor, so look for it to go to Young M.A on the strength of "Ooouuu."

Nominees

Beyonce "Sorry", Drake "Fake Love", The Weeknd feat. Daft Punk "Starboy", Bruno Mars "24k Magic", Migos feat. Lil Uzi Vert "Bad and Boujee", Rae Sremmurd feat. Gucci Mane "Black Beatles"

Winner: Migos feat. Lil Uzi Vert "Bad and Boujee"

This is definitely another upset pick, but this is the Viewer's Choice Award, meaning it's voted on by Internet People. And if Twitter is any indication, it's that there are armies of Migos fans out there just waiting to pounce on a chance like this.

Nominees

Beyonce feat. Kendrick Lamar "Freedom", Chance the Rapper feat. 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne "No Problem", Chris Brown feat. Gucci Mane and Usher "Party", DJ Khaled feat. Beyonce and Jay-Z - "Shining", Migos feat. Lil Uzi Vert "Bad and Boujee", Rae Sremmurd feat. Gucci Mane "Black Beatles"

Winner: Beyonce feat. Kendrick Lamar - "Freedom"

It can't be anything else, can it? Both Beyonce and Kendrick are on top of the world right now – anything else taking the W in this category would be a massive surprise.

Nominees

Beyonce "Sorry", Big Sean "Bounce Back", Bruno Mars "24k Magic", Migos feat. Lil Uzi Vert "Bad and Boujee", Solange "Cranes in the Sky"

Winner: Solange - "Cranes in the Sky"

It was a year full of wonderful and eclectic videos, but Solange's amazing video for "Cranes in the Sky" stands apart. Look for it to take home top honors this weekend.

Nominees

Beyonce, Kehlani, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Solange

Winner: Beyonce

It's almost not fair. Beyonce is by far the most awarded artist in BET Awards history, and despite the fact that all of the other nominated acts had great years, it'd be a surprise if Beyonce didn't take this one home.

Nominees

Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, The Weeknd, Trey Songz, Usher

Winner: The Weeknd

The Weeknd is a bit of a dark horse here despite his superstardom, going up against Chris Brown, the male artist with the most BET Award wins. That said, if there were a year for him to pull the upset over more established names like Usher, Brown, and Bruno Mars, this would be it.

Nominees

Big Sean, Chance the Rapper, Drake, Future, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar

Winner: Kendrick Lamar

In our opinion, this is a three-horse race between the sons of Compton, Chicago and Atlanta. And though Future and Chance certainly had great years, Kendrick's star shines just a bit brighter.

Nominees

Cardi B, Missy Elliott, Nicki Minaj, Remy Ma, Young M.A

Winner: Nicki Minaj

If history is any indication, Nicki will be adding to her impressive stash of BET Awards again this year, fending off worthy contenders in Remy Ma and Missy Elliott. That said, look out for Young M.A – there's a chance she pulls the upset.

Nominees

2 Chainz and Lil Wayne, A Tribe Called Quest, Fat Joe and Remy Ma, Migos, Rae Sremmurd

Winner: Rae Sremmurd

This one really does feel like a toss-up, but we're going with Rae Sremmurd simply based on how pervasive "Black Beatles" was and still is.

Nominees

Bruno Mars "24k Magic", J. Cole "4 Your Eyez Only", Solange "A Seat at the Table", Chance the Rapper "Coloring Book", Beyonce "Lemonade"

Winner: Chance the Rapper - "Coloring Book"

This is a really, really tough category to predict. On one hand, "Lemonade" is an amazing album, and some of Beyonce's best work to date. On the other hand, "Coloring Book" is such a masterpiece, such a positive and wonderful record from front to back, that it's tough to pick against it.

Nominees

Gabby Douglas, Serena Williams, Simone Biles, Skylar Diggins, Venus Williams

Winner: Serena Williams

Sure, it's the obvious pick – and there is a very real chance that Simone Biles pulls the upset – but the fact is that Serena Williams is arguably the most dominant athlete to ever live, and Biles can't compete with that (at least, not yet). 

Nominees

LeBron James, Cam Newton, Odell Beckham Jr., Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry

Winner: LeBron James

Sure, his team might have lost – and to another nominee, no less – but no matter what Bulls fans have to say about it, LeBron James is the most talented person to have ever played basketball, and his performance this season backs that up. Sorry, Steph.

Nominees

Fantasia - "Sleeping With the One I Love", Kehlani - "Distraction", Mary J. Blige - "Thick of It", Solange - "Cranes in the Sky", Syd - "All About Me", Yuna feat. Usher - "Crush"

Winner: Solange - "Cranes in the Sky"

Though this category judges both the video and the song for R&B and neo-soul acts, Solange's hit "Cranes in the Sky" is still the odds-on favorite to win it.