NEW YORK >> Last year at the BET Awards, Chris Brown performed an emotional tribute to Michael Jackson. It marked the beginning of a comeback for the embattled pop star.

This year, Brown is the top contender at the award show with six nominations.

Brown is up for best male R&B artist, viewer’s choice and video of the year for “Look at Me Now.” He’s nominated twice in the best collaboration category for his No. 1 R&B hits “Deuces,” featuring Tyga and Kevin McCall, and “Look at Me Now,” with Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne. Brown is also nominated for best actor for his role in the heist thriller “Takers.”

Lil Wayne follows Brown with five nominations. Three of Lil Wayne’s nominations come from his guest appearance on Brown’s “Look at me Now”; Lil Wayne is also up for best male hip-hop artist and viewer’s choice for “6 Foot 7 Foot.”

Kanye West, Drake and Rihanna are up for four awards each.

Other nominees for video of the year include Willow Smith’s “Whip My Hair,” West’s “Runaway,” B.o.B’s “Airplanes,” Keri Hilson’s “Pretty Girl Rock” and Marsha Ambrosius’ “Far Away.”

Willow is also up for best new artist and the YoungStars award. Nicki Minaj, Bruno Mars, Trey Songz, Cee Lo Green and B.o.B also received multiple nominations.

Alicia Keys will perform and comedian Kevin Hart will host the award show. It airs live on June 26 from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.