BET Awards nominees out- need some Caribbean Categories man!

So there are a few Caribbean artists or those with Caribbean heritage in the list of nominees for the 2009 BETAwards. They are highlighted below.

Rihanna performing "Take A Bow" atthe 2008BET Awards

Photo source

Now on the virtual awards last year which I think is a great concept, we had nominees for Reggae and Soca. So you heard names like Machel Montano, Fay Ann Lyons, Alison Hinds and Elephant Man. Una Morgan of Morgan Heritage presented an award. I know the show is only so long, ray-ray-ray-rah-rah-rah, but dang I mean at least mention one of these possible categories on live TV.

BET J features Caribbean shows and events, so why can't we have a greater role in the main event. I feel like having Caribbean specific categories is like we are the ugly sister that BET says is their cousin or their neighbor's kid or something.

Last year's show was total hotness, I hope this year's will be just as good. If I see Mavado perform I will lose it (in a good way lol). Well, Maxwell is making his comeback and he has roots in Haiti and Puerto Rico; and if India Arie performs with Gramps Morgan then there's a likkle more island representing there.

Interesting to note, Rihanna made it to the nominations (though she is really riding on T.I's coattails here) but Chris Brown is missing in action despite the fact that he was nominated for the Viewer's Choice Award the past three years. I guess the saying all press is good press, is just not fitting here as I am sure his latest headlines have had a role to play.

And the nominees are:

Best Male R&B Artist
The Dream
Jamie Foxx
Ryan Leslie
Neyo
T-Pain

Best Female R&B Artist
Beyonce
Keyshia Cole
Keri Hilson
Jennifer Hudson
Jazmine Sullivan

Best Group
Day 26
GS Boyz
NERD
The Roots
Three 6 Mafia

Best Collaboration
Jamie Foxx ft T-Pain-Blame It
Keri Hilson ft Lil Wayne- Turnin Me ON
Jim Jones & Ron Browz ft Juelz Santana-Pop Champagne
TI ft Rihanna-Live Your Life
Yung LA ft TI & Young Dro- Aint I

Best Male Hip Hop
Lil Wayne
Rick Ross
TI
Kanye West
Young Jeezy

Best Female Hip Hop
Lil Mama
MIA
Trina

Best New Artist
Keri Hilson
Kid Cudi
Ryan Leslie
MIA
Jazmine Sullivan

Best Gospel Artist
Regina Belle
Shirley Caesar
Mary Mary
Smokie Norful
Trin I Tee 5:7

Video Of The Year
Beyonce-If I Were A Boy
Beyonce- Single Ladies
Jamie Foxx ft T-Pain-Blame It
TI ft Rihanna- Live Your Life
Kanye West-Heartless

Best Actor
Common
Idris Alba
Samuel L Jackson
Will Smith
Jamal Woolard

Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Rosario Dawson
Taraji P Henson
Jennifer Hudson
Beyonce Knowles

Best Male Athlete
Kobe Byrant
LeBron James
Reggie Bush
Dwayne Wade
Tiger Woods

Best Female Athlete
Tamika Catchings
Lisa Leslie
Candace Parker
Serena Williams
Venus Williams