Janet Jackson will make one of her first public performances in sometime Sunday at the BET Awards, weeks after the singer caused Internet frenzies with several announcements about her comeback to music.
Jackson will be honoured with the Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual Award at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, where performers include Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, Kendrick Lamar and cast members of the hit series, "Empire."
Ciara, Jason Derulo and newcomer Tinashe will pay tribute to 49-year-old Jackson, who released a new song last week and is readying a full album and tour this fall.
Minaj and Brown, who have won a handful of BET Awards over the years, are the top nominees with six each. Brown is nominated twice for video of the year with his hits "Loyal" and "New Flame." Other nominees for the top prize include Minaj's eye-popping video for "Anaconda," Beyonce's "7/11," Big Sean's "IDFWU" and Common and John Legend's Oscar-winning "Glory," from the film "Selma."
Beyonce and Lil Wayne are both up for four awards at Sunday's show (8 p.m. ET), which will be hosted by Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross, who both star in the hit ABC series, "Black-ish."
Performers include Robin Thicke, Janelle Monae, Meek Mill, Ne-Yo, Tyga, K. Michelle, Donnie McClurkin, Silento, Future, E-40, Anthony Hamilton, Gary Clark Jr. and Fetty Wap, who has one of the year's top hits with "Trap Queen."
Presenters include Laverne Cox, Zendaya, Michael B. Jordan, Kelly Rowland, Sanaa Lathan, Michael Ealy, DeSean Jackson, Allen Iverson, Brandy, Donald Glover and Boris Kodjoe.
Smokey Robinson, who will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, will also perform. Syndicated radio show host Tom Joyner will earn the Humanitarian Award.
The BET Awards is celebrating its 15th year anniversary. Sunday's show is the final day of the four-day BET Experience at L.A. LIVE, which kicked off Thursday. The festival included shows starring Kevin Hart and Minaj, a celebrity basketball game with Brown and Snoop Dogg, panels and more.
Other acts up for awards include The Weeknd, FKA twigs and Sam Smith, who will compete for best new artist.
