BET Awards 2016 Airs Live Sunday, Will Feature Tributes to Prince and Muhammad Ali

The awards show airs Sunday night.

ByABC News
June 26, 2016, 3:37 AM

— -- Tonight's BET Awards, airing live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, are shaping up to be an exciting television event.

"Black-ish" co-stars Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross will be back for a second time around as the program's hosts.

Drake leads the show's nominees with nine nods. Beyonce and Rihanna follow suit, having both scored five nominations each, while Chris Brown, Bryson Tiller and Future earned four nods apiece.

Performers scheduled to appear include Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Alicia Keys, Maxwell, D'Angelo and many others.

Also, look out for Stevie Wonder, The Roots, Sheila E, and Janelle Monae joining forces for a highly anticipated "Celebration of Prince" tribute to commemorate the death of the legendary music icon. There's also a tribute planned for Muhammad Ali, who died earlier this month.

Other show highlights include actor Samuel L. Jackson receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to Hollywood, and "Grey's Anatomy" star Jesse Williams receiving the Humanitarian Award.

Scheduled presenters include Gabrielle Union, Regina Hall, Morris Chestnut, the cast of the forthcoming New Edition biopic movie, Taraji P. Henson, and others.

The 2016 BET Awards air live Sunday at 8 p.m. Eastern.