On Sunday, 25th June, the BET (Black Entertainment Television) Awards held at Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, USA. The Awards show was celebrated in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Hip-hop music which had been celebrated earlier in the year at the Grammy awards held on February 5. Popular music artists and celebrities like Beyonce, Drake, SZA, Future among others won at the awards.
Nigeria’s very own Burna boy and Tems were not left out with each winning Best International Artist and Best Collaboration Awards respectively. This is Tems’ second win for Best Collaboration. She won the award in collaboration with Future and Drake on the hit song, “Wait For U.” She has won at the BET thrice, winning Best Collaboration and Best International Act last year at the awards. This is Burna boy’s fourth win of the award, making him the African artist with most wins, beating Wizkid who has won three. Simultaneously, his win also makes him the African artist with the highest “Best International Act” wins.
Davido, American-born Nigerian music star, also stole the show at the awards with a stellar performance of popular songs, “Unavailable” and “Feel,” from his recently released album, “Timeless.” The performance has received a lot of positive reviews by those who were present at the event and those who streamed or watched the video online. Billboard numbered the performance as 4 on its list of 9 best moments from the awards. Davido had won his first BET award in 2014 and won another in 2018.
Libianca, Cameroonian singer, famous for her hit single, “People,” won the Viewer’s choice award for Best New International Act. Her win has generated reactions online, especially regarding how Afrobeat star, Asake, lost to her in that category. The award category, however, is determined by fans voting their favourites and not by the organisation.
In an interview at the red carpet of the event, Davido spoke on the growth of Afrobeats, highlighting how Afrobeat artists have gone from doing venues accommodating a few thousands to twenty thousand capacity venues.
In 2011, D’banj and 2face became the first Afrobeat artists to win at the BET awards, paving the way for artists like Wizkid, Davido, Burna boy and Tems to win awards globally.