The host, performers & nominees for the 2012 BET Awards have just been announced.  Your favorite actors and hip hop & R&B artists will be taking over this July.  And there's also Whitney Houston tribute on deck. TheYBF.com was on hand for today's press conference and we've got all the details inside...

Avengers star Samuel L. Jackson has been announced as host of the 2012 BET Awards, taking place July 1st in Los Angeles at the Shrine Auditorium. Sam missed today's press conference as he is currently in New Orleans filming Django Unchained with Kerry Washington & Jamie Foxx.

BET's Executive VP of Programming, Stephen Hill, revealed the first two performers on the list that will grow throughout the summer.  And it's rapper/singers Nicki Minaj & Chris Brown who are set to rock the stage during this year's awards.

As for musical tributes--that's a Yes.  Mr. Hill specifically revealed there will be a tribute to Whitney Houston and possibly others.  Who will perform the Whitney tribute is yet to be answered.

Astro of "X-Factor," ASAP Rocky, Big Sean, Melanie Fiona, Diggy Simmons, DJ Khaled and Mindless Behavior were all on hand to announce the 2012 BET Award nominees.  Beyonce leads the female pack with 6, while Kanye West copped 7 (5 of which are as part of The Throne).  The nominations are:

Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Diamond
Trina
Nicki Minaj
Brianna Perry

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

Best Group
Bad Meets Evil (Eminem & Royce da 5'9)
Diddy/Dirty Money
Maybach Music Group
The Throne (Jay-Z/Kanye)
Mindless Behavior

Best Female R/B Arist
Marsha Ambrosius
Beyonce
Mary J Blige
Melanie Fiona
Rihanna

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

Best Collaboration of the Year
Beyonce ft. J Cole- "Party"
Big Sean ft. Kanye- "Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay"
DJ Khaled & Crew- "I'm On One"
Drake, Tyga, Lil Wayne-"The Motto"
Wale/Miguel-"Lotus Flower Bomb"
Kanye/Jay Z- "Otis"

Best New Artist
ASAP Rocky
Big Sean
Diggy
Future
Meek Millz

Video of the Year
Beyonce-Countdown

Beyonce-Love On Top
The Throne-Ni**as in Paris

The Throne-Otis
Usher-Climax

Director of the Year
Beyonce (Alan Ferguson)
Chris Brown (Godfrey T)
Kanye West

Hype Williams

Benny Boom

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

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

Best Movie
Good Deeds
Jumping The Broom
Laugh At My Pain
Red Tails
The Help

Coco Cola Viewers Choice Award
Beyonce- Love On Top
Chris Brown- Turn Up The Music
Mindless Behavior- Hello
The Throne- Otis
Wale & Miguel- Lotus Flower Bomb
Drake ft. Tyga & Lil Wayne- The Motto

Best Actors
Don Cheadle
Common
Kevin Hart
Denzel Washington

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

Young Stars
Diggy Simmons
Astro
Keke Palmer
Jacob Latimore
Willow Smith

Best Gospel Artists
Yolanda Adams
James Fortune & FIYA
Fred Hammond
Kim Burrell
Trinitee 5:7

Centric Award
Common
Estelle
Robert Glasper
Robin Thicke
Tyrese

Rounding out the Award Show, the legendary Frankie Beverly & Maze will receive the Cadillac Achievement Award.  Mr. Beverly revealed at today's press conference that he originally turned down the award, but realized being on tour for 20 years with no current album out was something to be proud of indeed.

By the way, the 2013 BET Awards will move to the Kodak Theater.