According to Hill, the final nominees were the result of playing the numbers game.
“This one’s a tough one. We simply had to go, as we always do, with the artists who got the most votes in that [best female R&B artist] category. The nominations consist of the artists that got the top votes in that category when put to our voting academy. If there is six nominations in a category that means there was a tie.” (The Juice)
Hill also justified Beyonce’s nomination, despite the fact that her most recent album was 2008’s I Am…Sasha Fierce.
“People are asking why Beyoncé is nominated. Beyoncé submitted a video for “Why Don’t You Love Me” early May of 2010. She submitted one video remaining from her “I Am… Sasha Fierce” project. That was the last video she submitted and it was submitted during this year’s eligibility period. She was voted on the strength of that one video even though the bulk of that project was the year before.” (The Juice)
Over the weekend, Hill responded to criticism over female rapper Trinanot getting any awards nods.
“Okay, that was because Trina
didn’t submit a video that was in during the eligibility period. Let me back up. To be eligible, here’s what you have to have: a video that’s submitted and then first played on BET…between April 1 of one year and March 30 of the next year. So for this eligibility period it would be April 1 of 2010 to March 30 of 2011. She did not release a video to us in that time. “Million Dollar Girl” came in March. I think it was March 12 or so of 2010. And so she was in last year’s nominees for that. While she was featured in Lola Monroe‘s video, the rules are you have to release a video of your own. You have to be the primary artist on it. You can’t be just the feature artist and be eligible. So that’s why Lola Monroe was eligible but Trina was not for this year because it came out this year. So I’ve reached out to her camp. I’ve talked to the head of her label. And actually the only reason I might get off this call is because I may be getting a call from Trina while this call is going on.” (BET)
Following last week’s BET Awards nominees announcement, Cole hit up Twitter to publicly express her feelings.
“All u guys say BET didn’t set me up for any nominations?,” she tweeted
“Well I know for sure I’m gonna be our on this Kelly tour. For the next 2 months …..”
“its like this. Been on the scene 7 years. I was 21 when I got signed. 7 # 1 records. No awards 4 none of them/still touring. It is Wht it is”
“These types of thing R the way they R. I’m not upset about any of it in any way. I hope everyone that goes has a wonderful time.” (Keyshia Cole’s Twitter)
The BET Awards take place Sunday, June 26 at 8 PM EST.
Check out some past Keyshia Cole footage down below:
