Predicting the 2022 BET Awards winners

Nominees:

• Ari Lennox
• Chlöe
• Doja Cat
• H.E.R.
• Jazmine Sullivan
• Mary J. Blige
• Summer Walker

Predicted Winner: Jazmine Sullivan

Jazmine Sullivan is the type of artist that can take some time away from the industry, and every time she returns, she elevates her artistry even more. Not only did she receive rave reviews for her album Heaux Tales, but the album’s coinciding tour became a hot commodity as many of the tour stops were sold out within minutes. The hot ticket item pushed Sullivan's team to add more tour dates and bigger venues, proving just how much fans are always ready to sing their hearts out to the singer's biggest hits. 

Nominees:

• Blxst
• Chris Brown
• Giveon
• Lucky Daye
• The Weeknd
• Wizkid
• Yung Bleu

Predicted Winner: Lucky Daye

Lucky Daye is one of the newest faces of R&B. Earlier this year, he released his highly-anticipated sophomore album Candydrip  before heading out on tour alongside Joyce Wrice. In addition to his own music, Daye has become quite the in-demand singer to collaborate with other artists including Alicia Keys, Kehlani, Ella Mai, Mark Ronson, and Earth, Wind & Fire.

Nominees:

• Silk Sonic
• Chlöe x Halle
• City Girls
• Lil Baby & Lil Durk
• Migos
• Young Dolph & Key Glock

Predicted Winner: Silk Sonic

When two different artists join forces to create a new group, fans tend to question how the dynamic will work. Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak formed Silk Sonic as a duo paying homage to the ‘70s soul sound. Between the songs that are reminiscent of the Soul Train era, the three-piece suits, and the wigs, it's no wonder why Silk Sonic's residency in Las Vegas has been a hot ticket all year long. 

Nominees:

• "Essence" - Wizkid feat. Justin Bieber & Tems
• "Every Chance I Get" - DJ Khaled feat. Lil Baby & Lil Durk
• "Family Ties" - Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar
• "Kiss Me More" - Doja Cat feat. SZA
• "Way 2 Sexy" - Drake feat. Future & Young Thug
• "Whole Lotta Money (Remix)" - BIA feat. Nicki Minaj

Predicted Winner: “Essence” - Wizkid feat. Justin Bieber & Tems

“Essence” was already a hit song for Wizkid and Tems, but the remix helped push it to another level. The remix with Justin Bieber helped land “Essence” in the top ten of the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Due to the song's success, the stardom of Wizkid and Tems is surely on the rise. 

Nominees:

• Cardi B
• Doja Cat
• Latto
• Megan Thee Stallion
• Nicki Minaj
• Saweetie

Predicted Winner: Megan Thee Stallion

It’s been a hot girl summer ever since Megan Thee Stallion showcased her dominance in the hip-hop industry. While her own music often displays confidence, self-worth, and sexuality, she has no problem mixing her enticing flows with a little braggadocio. Whether she's collaborating with artists like Beyoncé, Lil Nas X, or Dua Lipa, Megan knows how to make her presence known on a track and on stage. 

Nominees:

• Drake
• Future
• J. Cole
• Jack Harlow
• Kanye West
• Kendrick Lamar
• Lil Baby

Predicted Winner: Kendrick Lamar

Before Kendrick Lamar released his latest album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, fans didn’t hear or see him much since his 2017 album DAMN. One of the most endearing things about Kendrick’s artistry is fans never have a sense of the type of sound each album is going to bring. On his latest album, Kendrick gives fans more insight into who he is as a person and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Nominees:

• "Family Ties" - Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar
• "Have Mercy" - Chlöe
• "Kiss Me More" - Doja Cat feat. SZA
• "Pressure" - Ari Lennox
• "Smokin Out The Window" - Silk Sonic
• "Way 2 Sexy" - Drake feat. Future & Young Thug

Predicted Winner: “Kiss Me More” - Doja Cat feat. SZA

On Doja’s Cat Planet Her album, the SZA-assisted collaboration “Kiss Me More” became a fan favorite. The video brings Doja's “planet” theme to life as a man crashes his spaceship in another galaxy, one in which Doja and SZA appear as astronomical beings.

Nominees:

• Anderson .Paak a.k.a. Director .Paak
• Benny Boom
• Beyoncé & Dikayl Rimmasch 
• Director X
• Hype Williams
• Missy Elliott

Predicted Winner: Missy Elliott

Rap legend Missy Elliott has always been known for her own iconic music videos, so it was only a matter of time before other artists would desire her artistic vision. In 2020, rap duo City Girls called on Elliott to direct the video for their hit song "Twerkulator." From the video's vibrant colors and enticing choreography, Elliott's direction showcases the importance of a hip-hop veteran giving insight to up-and-coming artists in the game. 

Nominees:

• Baby Keem 
• Benny The Butcher
• Latto
• Muni Long 
• Tems
• Yung Bleu

Predicted Winner: Muni Long

Before she introduced herself as Muni Long, she was a singer-songwriter known as Priscilla Renea. She penned songs for a number of artists including Ariana Grande, Pitbull, Selena Gomez, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, and Rihanna. Although she wrote hit songs for other artists, labels didn't always take her seriously as a singer in her own right. However, that all changed when she dropped her hit song "Hrs and Hrs," a track that went viral on TikTok and reached number one on Billboard's R&B chart.  

Nominees:

• An Evening With Silk Sonic - Silk Sonic 
• Back Of My Mind - H.E.R. 
• Call Me If You Get Lost - Tyler, The Creator
• Certified Lover Boy - Drake 
• Donda - Kanye West
• Heaux Tales, Mo' Tales: The Deluxe - Jazmine Sullivan
• Planet Her - Doja Cat 

Predicted Winner: Call Me If You Get Lost - Tyler, The Creator

2021 was a standout year for hip-hop and one of the most critically-acclaimed albums came from Tyler, The Creator. On his latest album Call Me If You Get Lost, Tyler teamed up with producer DJ Drama and helped reintroduce the Gangsta Grillz mixtape era to his young fan base. Tyler already won Album of the Year at the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards, so it wouldn't be surprising if he takes this trophy home too. 

Nominees:

• "All In Your Hands" - Marvin Sapp 
• "Come To Life" - Kanye West 
• "Grace" - Kelly Price 
• "Hallelujah" - Fred Hammond
• "Hold Us Together (Hope Mix)" - H.E.R. & Tauren Wells
• "Jireh" - Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music
• "We Win" - Kirk Franklin & Lil Baby

Predicted Winner: "We Win" - Kirk Franklin & Lil Baby

Gospel legend Kirk Franklin is no stranger to collaborating with rappers. Not only did his embrace of hip-hop showcase his artistry, but it completely changed mainstream gospel over the years. Franklin recently teamed up with Lil Baby on "We Win," the lead single from the movie Space Jam: A New Legacy. Produced by Just Blaze, the single is an uplifting track that fits perfectly with the reboot of a nostalgic film. 

Nominees:

• "Best of Me" (Originals) - Alicia Keys
• "Good Morning Gorgeous" - Mary J. Blige
• "Have Mercy" - Chlöe
• "Pressure" - Ari Lennox
• "Roster" - Jazmine Sullivan
• "Unloyal" - Summer Walker & Ari Lennox 
• "Woman" - Doja Cat

Predicted Winner: “Pressure” - Ari Lennox

The BET Her Award is all about recognizing songs that empower and motivate women. Ari Lennox does just that on her single “Pressure,” which is all about self-worth, femininity, and pleasure during foreplay. The song is reminiscent of a ‘70s soul record mixed with a bit of neo-soul.

Nominees:

• Dave (UK)
• Dinos (France)
• Fally Ipupa (DRC)
• Fireboy DML (Nigera)
• Little Simz (UK)
• LUDMILLA (Brazil)
• Major League Djz (South Africa)
• Tayc (France)
• Tems (Nigeria)

Predicted Winner: Tems

Tems first came onto the music scene back in 2020 when she released her debut EP For Broken Ears. However, she gained a lot more recognition when she was featured on Wizkid’s hit song, “Essence.” Since then, her unique vocal tone has also been featured on tracks alongside Drake and Future. 

Nominees:

• Candyman
• King Richard
• Respect
• Space Jam: A New Legacy
• Summer of Soul
• The Harder They Fall

Predicted Winner: King Richard

Venus and Serena Williams have not only changed the game of tennis but have shown how dominant and talented women can be in any sport. The Williams sisters have their father Richard Williams to thank for that. The film King Richard showcases how their father was the anchor in pushing and advocating for his daughters in being the best the players the tennis world has ever seen. The film highlights different themes of ambition, initiative, courage, resilience, and family values. 

Nominees:

• Adrian Holmes - Bel-Air
• Anthony Anderson - Black-ish
• Damson Idris - Snowfall
• Denzel Washington - The Tragedy of Macbeth 
• Forest Whitaker - Respect | Godfather of Harlem
• Jabari Banks - Bel-Air
• Sterling K. Brown - This Is Us 
• Will Smith - King Richard 

Predicted Winner: Jabari Banks

Some fans were a bit apprehensive when they heard that The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was going to get a reboot. To many people’s surprise, the reboot is more of a drama than a comedy like its predecessor. In his first major acting role, Jabari Banks plays a young Will Smith who ends up living with his affluent family in Bel-Air as he tries to navigate through his teen years. 

Nominees:

• Aunjanue Ellis - King Richard 
• CoCo Jones - Bel-Air
• Issa Rae - Insecure 
• Jennifer Hudson - Respect 
• Mary J. Blige - Power Book II: Ghost 
• Queen Latifah - The Equalizer 
• Quinta Brunson - Abbott Elementary
• Regina King - The Harder They Fall 
• Zendaya - Euphoria | Spider-Man: No Way Home 

Predicted Winner: Quinta Brunson

Some people were introduced to Quinta Brunson from her viral Instagram videos back in 2014, while others were aware of her video production work at BuzzFeed. Now, Brunson is recognized as having a high-rated ABC comedy series, Abbott Elementary. The series follows elementary school teachers and their approach to educating students. Brunson and her fellow cast members bring wit, comedic timing, and sarcasm, it's no wonder the series was quickly picked up for a second season. 

Nominees:

• Akira Akbar
• Demi Singleton 
• Marsai Martin
• Miles Brown 
• Saniyya Sidney

Predicted Winner: Marsai Martin

Fans got introduced to Marsai Martin as the youngest daughter on the ABC series Black-ish. Since the series recently ended after eight seasons, Martin is already working on other ventures. She launched her own company Genius Productions that signed a deal with Universal, making her the youngest executive to link a deal at any studio.

Nominees:

• Brittney Griner
• Candace Parker 
• Naomi Osaka 
• Serena Williams 
• Sha'Carri Richardson
• Simone Biles 

Predicted Winner: Candace Parker 

In 2021, some sports fans were shocked to hear that Candace Parker decided to leave the Los Angeles Sparks after 13 seasons and signed a deal with the Chicago Sky. It ended up working in Parker’s favor because she won her second WNBA championship in the first year with her new team.

Nominees:

• Aaron Donald
• Bubba Wallace
• Giannis Antetokounmpo 
• Ja Morant 
• LeBron James 
• Stephen Curry 

Predicted Winner: Stephen Curry

When sports fans think of NBA dynasties, the Golden State Warriors are sure to go down as one of the top teams in NBA history. Helping to lead his team to victories is Stephen Curry, who is arguably known as the greatest shooter of all time. Over the past eight seasons, the Warriors have reached the NBA Finals six times and won the championship four times. With Curry’s playmaking finesse, astronomical shotmaking, and championship experience, he continues to show how the Warriors are a force to be reckoned with.