Nigeria’s Falz and SA’s Emtee up for BET award for best new act

Two African artists, Nigeria’s Falz and South Africa’s Emtee, receive nominations in the category. Also nominated in the category are French rapper MHD, who is of Senegalese and Guinean descent; Australian Tkay Maidza, who was born in Zimbabwe; and the UK’s Section Boyz and WSTRN.

The announcement follows the nomination of eight African artists for the Best International Act: Africa category of yearly BET Awards. With the latest announcement, Falz joins his compatriots Yemi Alade and Wizkid as fellow nominees, while Emtee has his countrymen AKA, Cassper Nyovest and Black Coffee as co-nominees.

It won’t be the first time Emtee would be in Nigerian company, after recording a remix of his hit song ‘Roll Up’ with Wizkid. The single was named Song of the Year at the South African Hip-Hop Awards in December 2015 and went on to earn Emtee the most awards at the 2016 Metro FM Music Awards in February 2016. It features on his debut album Avery, which recently won the Best Rap Album category at the 2016 South African Music Awards.

The multitalented Falz recently won an acting award. Before then, he received a nomination at the Headies awards held in January this year. His album Stories That Touch was critically acclaimed, producing a number of popular singles and even a short film. He was announced as the host of the MTV Base TV comedy show, The Bigger Friday Show. 

To vote for BET's Viewer's Choice Best New International Act, visit here.