Mariah is a first-time nominee across five categories this year and she is the most nominated R&B artist this year. That alone makes her one of the easiest names to root for.

She’s our “favorite viral rap girlie,” so obviously we’re rooting for her. With three nominations, she is one of the newest rap names with a solid breakthrough this year.

Fresh off an NAACP Image Award win for Outstanding New Artist, Monaleo brings sharp bars and growing visibility into her first BET Awards run. Beyoncé loves her, which is about as strong a co-sign as it gets. 

Conrad has been building steady R&B momentum, and there’s a spotlight on his “Love on Digital” era. He feels like a fan-favorite already.

Dean’s four-nomination run makes her one of the freshest first-time faces ion the nominees list. She’s up for Best New Artist, Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, BET Her, and Viewers’ Choice. The odds are certainly in her favor.

Minnick is the first Christian rapper nominated for Best New Artist, which gives this nod real meaning beyond the category itself. He is bringing a lane the awards have not seen enough of, and that makes him a standout. 

“Folded” puts Kehlani in Viewers’ Choice, and that feels right for an artist with a loyal fan base and a track record of making emotional R&B hit hard.

This is a “golden year” for Teyana, and the nomination slate backs that up. She is one of the few stars who can move between music, film, and style without missing a beat.

Best Actress is stacked, but Chase Infiniti is one of the freshest names in the category, and that makes her an easy dark-horse pick. 

Keke remains one of the most beloved multi-hyphenates in entertainment, and her Best Actress nomination keeps her right where she belongs. Even in a crowded category, Keke is still one of the safest bets to root for.