In a May 2, 2011 file photo, Beyonce Knowles and her husband Jay-Z arrive at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute gala in New York. Beyonce will battle her husband for video of the year at the BET Awards, and now both performers are confirmed to attend, The Associated Press reports Friday, June 29, 2012. Beyonce is the second most nominated act. She's up for six awards. Jay-Z is nominated for five. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Now that Beyonce and Jay-Z have confirmed that they're attending the BET Awards, the next question is: Will Kanye West be the third wheel, or will his girlfriend, Kim Kardashian, be on his arm?

Kardashian could add to the list of big names attending Sunday's awards show, which already includes Quentin Tarantino, Jamie Foxx and host Samuel L. Jackson. And there are top musicians attending, too; Nicki Minaj, Usher, Rick Ross and Chris Brown are set to perform.

The night will be Brown's first public appearance since the New York City nightclub brawl between his entourage and Drake's. Brown, his girlfriend, his bodyguard and NBA star Tony Parker were among those injured in the June 14 encounter, where bottles were thrown.

Drake, however, wasn't expected be at the event. Both singer-rappers were nominated for awards.

Rihanna, another nominee, was also expected to be absent.

The top nominee was West, who was up for seven awards. Beyonce followed with six and her husband earned five.

Beyonce was nominated twice for show's top award, video of the year, with "Love On Top" and "Countdown." Two collaborative songs by West and Jay-Z, "Otis" and "In Paris," are also up for the prize. The fifth nominee is Usher's "Climax."

West and Jay-Z released the platinum album "Watch the Throne" last year. West was also to perform at the awards with his G.O.O.D. Music label mates.

The most-buzzed about performance, though, was a tribute planned for Whitney Houston. It was to include the late singer's mother, Cissy Houston, and other female singers, though BET didn't release those names.

The show scored its best ratings in 2009 when it paid tribute to Michael Jackson, who had died three days earlier. The event had 10.2 million viewers.

The 2012 BET Awards will air live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

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Online: www.bet.com/shows/bet-awards/2012.html


Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

Check out the 2012 BET Awards nominations below.

Best New Artist
A$AP Rocky
Big Sean
Diggy Simmons
Future
Meek Mill


Best Male R&B Artist
Bruno Mars
Chris Brown
Miguel
Trey Songz
Usher


Best Female R&B Artist
Beyonce
Marsha Ambrosius
Mary J. Blige
Melanie Fiona
Rihanna


Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
Big Sean
Drake
J. Cole
Lil Wayne
Rick Ross
Young Jeezy


Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Nicki Minaj
Diamond
Trina
Brianna Perry


Best Group
Bad Meets Evil
Diddy-Dirty Money
Maybach Music Group
Mindless Behavior
The Throne


Best Collaboration
"Party," Beyonce feat J. Cole
"Marvin & Chardonnay," Big Sean feat. Kanye West & Roscoe Dash
"I'm On One," DJ Khaled feat Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne
"The Motto," Drake feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga
"Otis," The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) feat. Otis Redding
"Lotus Flower Bomb," Wale feat Miguel


Video of the Year
"Countdown," Beyonce
"Love on Top," Beyonce
"N----s in Paris," The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West)
"Otis,"

In this April 11, 2012 file photo, actor Samuel L. Jackson arrives at the premiere of "The Avengers" in Los Angeles. Jackson is hosting the BET Awards, Sunday, July 1, 2012. ( AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West)
"Climax," Usher


Video Director of the Year
Beyonce and Alan Ferguson
Benny Boom
Chris Brown and Godfrey Tabarez
Kanye West
Hype Williams


Best Gospel
Fred Hammond
James Fortune & FIYA
Kim Burrell
Trin-I-Tee 5:7
Yolanda Adams


YoungStars Award
Astro
Diggy Simmons
Jacob Latimore
Keke Palmer
Willow Smith


Viewers' Choice Award
"Love on Top," Beyonce
"Turn Up the Music," Chris Brown
"The Motto, "Drake feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga
"Hello," Mindless Behavior
"Otis," The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) feat. Otis Redding
"Lotus Flower Bomb," Wale feat. Miguel


Centric Award
Common
Estelle
Robert Glasper
Robin Thicke
Tyrese


Best International Act: U.K.
Emeli Sande
Estelle
Labrinth
Sway
Wretch 32


Best International Act: Africa
Camp Mulla (Kenya)
Ice Prince (Nigeria)
Lira (South Africa)
Mokobe (Mali)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Wizkid (Nigeria)

Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Viola Davis
Taraji P. Henson
Regina King
Zoe Saldana


Best Actor
Don Cheadle
Common
Idris Elba
Kevin Hart
Denzel Washington


Best Movie
"Good Deeds"
"Jumping the Broom"
"Laugh at My Pain"
"Red Tails"
"The Help"


Sportswoman of the Year
Skylar Diggins
Candace Parker
Brittney Griner
Serena Williams
Venus Williams


Sportsman of the Year
Carmelo Anthony
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Victor Cruz
Kevin Durant