Jamie Foxx, Quentin Tarantino, Tyler Perry And Laz Alonzo Added As Presenters For BET AWARDS 12

NEW YORK, June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- BET Networks has just added more exciting talent to its list of presenters and performers for the BET AWARDS 12. Jamie Foxx, Quentin Tarantino, Tyler Perry and Laz Alonzo will join previously announced presenters Kevin Hart, Cedric the Entertainer, Taraji P. Henson, Meagan Good and superstar host, Samuel L. Jackson.  Added to the already stellar line up of musical performers are BET's SUNDAY BEST judge Yolanda Adams, Season 4 winner Amber Bullock, Season 2 winner Y'Anna Crawley and Season 2 1st runner-up Jessica Reedy. Previously announced top performers include D'Angelo, Usher, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross, Wale, Meek Mill, 2 Chainz, Big Sean, and G.O.O.D. Music, all performing live at The Shrine Auditorium on Sunday, July 1, 2012 at 8:00 pm*.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20070716/BETNETWORKSLOGO )

For the third year in a row, BET Music Matters artists will have the distinction of gracing the BET AWARDS stage.  BET's Music Matters will again cast the spotlight on new talent who are on their way to being the next BET superstars.  Jennah Bell and Charles Perry will take the stage during BET AWARDS 12 to give the world a sneak peek of their talents.  Hailing from Oakland, CA, Jennah Bell is a singer, songwriter and musician whose sound consists of alternative, folk and soul. She recently completed the "Making Music Herstory" project and is living in New York City.  Brooklyn native Charles Perry was once described by Luther Vandross as "ferocious" and predicted a long-lasting solo career at the age of 16 years old. With the experience of performing by superstars like the late Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston, Charles is now focused on his upcoming solo album.

Leading up to the Awards, BET Networks provided an opportunity for hopeful artists to display their talents on its Next Big Music Star Mobile Tour.  After traveling to 5 cities, where hundreds of aspiring artists auditioned to be the BET Awards Next Big Music Star, the videos have been viewed and the votes tallied. The BET Awards Next Big Music Star is Marquis "DMT The Rapper" Taylor of Atlanta, GA.  DMT The Rapper received a round-trip and exclusive access to BET AWARDS 12 and will appear at the 106 & PARK Pre-Show for his achievement. Writing since he was 12, DMT prides himself in rapping without the use of profanity.  See more of DMT The Rapper and the 3 runners up at https://www.facebook.com/TheBETAwards/app_455846501108509.

Tune in and watch BET AWARDS 12 on Sunday, July 1st live from The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles at 8:00 p.m.*!

*All times are ET/PT.

About BET Networks

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET operates in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

About BET AWARDS

The BET AWARDS is one of the most watched award shows on cable television according to the Nielsen Company.  The BET AWARDS franchise remains as the #1 program in cable TV history among African-Americans, and it is BET's #1 telecast every year.  It recognizes the triumphs and successes of artists, entertainers, and athletes in 20 categories.  Samuel L. Jackson will be hosting the BET Awards 12. Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj will be the first performers on the show. The BET AWARDS 12 will premiere Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at 8:00PM BST across BET's international platforms in the UK and Africa. The nominees for the BET AWARDS include Beyonce, Kanye West, Rihanna, Mary J. Blige, Drake, Trey Songz, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Usher, J.Cole, Big Sean, Wale, Mindless Behavior, Common, Viola Davis, Idris Elba, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Serena Williams, Kobe, Bryant, Venus Williams and many more!

About BET Music Matters

BET's Music Matters initiative highlights the next BET music superstars as emerging new artists showcase their talents through exclusive live performances.

About The BET AWARDS Next Big Music Star Mobile Tour

"The BET AWARDS Next Big Music Star Mobile Tour" was an exciting, five-city tour that gave aspiring artists across the country a chance to have their moment in the spotlight.  Thousands came out to the tour but only a select few were invited into the state-of-the-art recording studio to demonstrate their musical talent and skill. Credible producers and artists were on-hand to coach and evaluate the lucky hopefuls who were selected to record. Video clips of the recording sessions from all five (5) cities were uploaded to the Tour's Facebook page for fans to vote. 

Stephen G. Hill, BET's President of Music Programming and Specials, Lynne Harris Taylor, BET's Vice President of Specials, will serve as Executive Producers for the BET AWARDS 12, along with Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment. Official sponsors of The BET AWARDS 12 include Cadillac®, Coca-Cola®, Ford®, State Farm® and Subway®.

Follow us on Twitter @ BET_PR and @BETAwards

SOURCE BET Networks