BET announced Thursday (June 21) morning that the soulful singer-songwriter D’Angelo has been added to the list of performers at the BET Awards 2012. It will be D’Angelo’s first television performance in over a decade.

The stage is already prepped for Usher, Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown and Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music crew (Big Sean, 2 Chainz, and Pusha T). D’Angelo is the latest to be announced.

“Usually, we love to keep surprises…but this year we want EVERYONE watching when D’Angelo takes the stage at the BET Awards!,” announced Stephen G. Hill, BET’s President of Music Programming and Specials. “His talents have been away from us for far too long and we’re excited and honored that he’s decided to make his American re-entry at this year’s BET Awards.”

As previously reported, D’Angelo is working on a new album and is set to appear at the Essence Music Festival in July. The BET Awards show, which airs Sunday, July 1, will be hosted by actor Samuel L. Jackson.

Grammy-winning gospel vocalist Cissy Houston—the mother of the late Whitney Houston—will also perform a tribute to her daughter on the show. The performance is scheduled to feature “a few top divas.” No word yet on who will be the other performers to grace the stage in honor of Whitney, who passed away earlier this year.    —Keith Murphy, CBS Local