SA, Nigeria dominate BET Awards nominations

Nigeria leads the nominees list with four artists while South Africa and Ghana follow with three and one nominations respectively. The nominees are Tekno (Nigeria), Wizkid (Nigeria), Mr Eazi (Nigeria), Davido (Nigeria), Nasty C (South Africa), AKA (South Africa), Babes Wodumo (South Africa) and Stonebwoy (Ghana).

Last year, South Africa’s Black Coffee, who this month was included in the Forbes list of Africa’s richest musicians, won the coveted award ahead of AKA, Cassper Nyovest, Diamond Platnumz, MzVee, Serge Beynaud, Wizkid and Yemi Alade.

BET youth and music vice-president Monde Twala said the Best International Act: Africa category is responsible for uncovering African music to new markets and fans.

“Africa has a rich cultural heritage and the BET Awards reflect the power of our culture through music,” he said. “This annual celebration puts the spotlight on African artists and exposes their amazing talent to the world. We wish the nominees well and congratulate them for the hard work and effort over the last year.”

Monday’s announcement was hosted by Nandi Mngoma and artists who were present at the event included AKA, Babes Wodumo and Tresor.

AKA follows proceedings during the announcement

The BET Awards ceremony will take place at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles on 25 June and all the nominees from Africa are expected to be present at the grand event. Voting is now open on the BET Africa official website until 26 May 2017.

Every year, the BET Awards recognise the growing international appeal of African music by nominating eight popular artist ahead of the event. South Africa and Nigeria have always enjoyed their place in the African category, which has led artists from other countries on the continent to criticise the event as being biased. Another concern is that African artists are not given ample stage time compared to their US colleagues.

The rest of the nominees outside Africa were announced in Los Angeles, also on Monday. Leading the pack is Beyoncé who dominates this year’s nominees list with seven nods. Close behind is Bruno Mars with five nods, followed by Chance the Rapper, Solange and Migos who are tied at four apiece.

The awards will be broadcast on BET (DStv channel 129) on 27 June at 8pm CAT.

Here is a list of the nominees:

Best International Act: Africa

• AKA (South Africa)
• Babes Wodumo (South Africa)
• Davido (Nigeria)
• Nasty C (South Africa)
• Stonebwoy (Ghana)
• Tekno (Nigeria)
• Wizkid (Nigeria)
• Mr Eazi (Nigeria)

Best International act: Europe

• Booba (France)
• Mhd (France)
• Craig David (UK)
• Emeli Sande (UK)
• Giggs (UK)
• Skepta (UK)
• Stormzy (UK)
• Wiley (UK)

Best Female R&B/pop artist

• Beyoncé
• Kehlani
• Mary J. Blige
• Rihanna
• Solange

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

• Bruno Mars
• Chris Brown
• The Weekend
• Trey Songz
• Usher

Best Group

• 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne
• A tribe called quest
• Fat Joe & Remy Ma
• Migos
• Rae Sremmurd

Best Collaboration

• Beyoncé ft. Kendrick Lamar – ‘Freedom’
• Chance the rapper ft. 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne – ‘No Problem’
• Chris Brown ft. Gucci Mane & Usher – ‘Party’
• DJ Khaled ft. Beyoncé & Jay Z – ‘Shining’
• Migos ft. Lil Uzi vert – ‘Bad and Boujee’
• Rae Sremmurd ft. Gucci Mane – ‘Black Beatles’

Best Male Hip Hop Artist

• Big Sean
• Chance the rapper
• Drake
• Future
• J. Cole
• Kendrick Lamar

Best Female Hip Hop Artist

• Cardi B
• Missy Elliott
• Nicki Minaj
• Remy Ma
• Young MA

Video of the Year

• Beyoncé – ‘Sorry’
• Big Sean – ‘Bounce Back’
• Bruno Mars – ‘24k Magic’
• Migos ft. Lil Uzi Vert – ‘Bad and Boujee’
• Solange – ‘Cranes in the Sky’

Video Director of the Year

• Benny Boom,
• Bruno Mars & Jonathan
• Director X
• Hype Williams
• Kahlil Joseph & Beyoncé Knowles

Best New Artist

• 21 Savage
• Cardi B
• Chance the rapper
• Khalid
• Young M.A.

Album of the Year

• 24k Magic – Bruno Mars
• 4 Your Eyez Only – J Cole
• A Seat at the Table – Solange’
• Colouring Book – Chance the rapper
• Lemonade – Beyoncé

Dr Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award

• Cece Winans – ‘Never have to be alone’
• Fantasia ft. Tye Tribbett – ‘I Made It’
• Kirk franklin ft. Sarah Reeves, Tasha Cobbs & Tamela Mann – ‘My World Needs You’
• Lecrae – ‘Can’t Stop Me Now (destination)’
• Tamela Mann – God Provides

Best Actress

• Gabrielle Union
• Issa Rae
• Janelle Monáe
• Taraji P. Henson
• Viola Davis

Best Actor

• Bryshere Y. Gray
• Denzel Washington
• Donald Glover
• Mahershala Ali
• Omari Hardwick

Youngstars Award

• Ace Hunter
• Caleb Mclaughlin
• Jaden smith
• Marsai Martin
• Yara Shahidi

Best Movie

• Fences
• Get Out!
• Hidden Figures
• Moonlight
• The Birth of a Nation

Sportswoman of the Year Award

• Gabby Douglas
• Serena Williams
• Simone Biles
• Skylar Diggins
• Venus Williams

Sportsman of the Year Award

• Cam Newton
• Lebron James
• Odell Beckham Jr.
• Russell Westbrook
• Stephen Curry

Centric Award

• Fantasia – ‘Sleeping With The one i love’
• Kehlani – ‘Distraction’
• Mary j. Blige – ‘Thick of it’
• Solange – ‘Cranes in the sky’
• Syd – ‘All about me’
• Yuna – Crush ft. Usher

Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award

• Beyoncé – ‘Sorry’
• Bruno Mars – ‘24k Magic’
• Drake – ‘Fake Love’
• Migos ft. Lil Uzi Vert – ‘Bad and Boujee
• Rae Sremmurd ft. Gucci Mane – ‘Black Beatles’
• The Weeknd ft. daft punk – ‘Starboy’