African artists score nods at BET Awards 2023

9 Jun 2023 - 13:48

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

The nominees for the 2023 BET Awards were announced 8 June ahead of the gala ceremony at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on 25 June, with multiple African artists eyeing trophies in various categories.

Burna Boy. Photo: Burak Çıngı/Redferns

Established in 2001, the scheme acknowledges black entertainers across music, film, sport and philanthropy. This year, awards will be presented to more than 20 deserving winners, as the ceremony celebrates 50 years of hip hop.

Africa’s contingent at the forthcoming awards includes Nigeria’s Burna Boy, the most successful African at the awards with four wins. He leads the charge this year with four nominations. Fellow Afrobeats star Tems, who took home two awards at last year’s edition, is up for three trophies, while Wizkid, Ayra Starr and Asake managed one nod each.

Other African nominees at the awards are South Africa’s K.O and Uncle Waffles, Ghana’s Camidoh, and Cameroonian act Libianca.

Meanwhile, Canadian rapper Drake is the most nominated artist at the 2023 BET Awards with seven.

“We are thrilled to be back in LA for BET Awards 2023 and to celebrate a huge cultural milestone – the 50th anniversary of hip hop,” Connie Orlando, who is EVP for specials, music programming and music strategy at BET, said. “For five decades, hip hop has not only influenced American culture but has become a global phenomenon and one of the most influential musical genres of our lifetime. From music to fashion, art, and entertainment, we are honoured to have always provided a platform for hip hop to thrive. We look forward to paying tribute to the pioneers and innovators as we amplify the new generation of hip hop artists like only BET can.”

Below is the full list of nominees:

Best International Act

Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Central Cee (UK)
Ella Mai (UK)
K.O (South Africa)
L7nnon (Brazil)
Stormzy (UK)
Uncle Waffles (South Africa)
Aya Nakamura (France)
Tiakola (France)

Viewer’s Choice Award

‘Wait For U’ by Future ft. Drake & Tems
‘Last Last’ by Burna Boy
‘Break My Soul’ by Beyoncé
‘Jimmy Cooks’ by Drake ft. 21 Savage
‘Kill Bill’ by SZA
‘First Class’ by Jack Harlow
‘Super Freaky Girl’ by Nicki Minaj
‘About Damn Time’ by Lizzo

Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act

Asake (Nigeria)
Camidoh (Ghana)
Pabi Cooper (South Africa)
Libianca (Cameroon)
Maureen (France)
MC Ryan SP (Brazil)
Flo (UK)
Raye (UK)
Werenoi (France)

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

Tems
Ari Lennox
Beyoncé
Coco Jones
H.E.R.
Lizzo
SZA

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

Burna Boy
Blxst
Brent Faiyaz
Chris Brown
Drake
The Weeknd
Usher

Best Group

City Girls
Drake & 21 Savage
Dvsn
Flo
Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin
Quavo & Takeoff
Wanmor

Best Collaboration

‘Call Me Every Day’ by Chris Brown ft. Wizkid
‘Wait For U’ by Future Feat. Drake & Tems
‘Big Energy (Remix) by Latto & Mariah Carey ft. DJ Khaled
‘Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2’ by Pinkpantheress & Ice Spice
‘Can’t Stop Won’t Stop’ by King Combs ft. Kodak Black
‘Creepin’ by Metro Boomin, The Weeknd & 21 Savage
‘F.N.F. (Let’s Go)’ by Hitkidd & Glorilla
‘Tomorrow 2’ by Glorilla & Cardi B

Best Female Hip Hop Artist

Cardi B
Coi Leray
Glorilla
Ice Spice
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj

Best Male Hip Hop Artist

21 Savage
Drake
Future
J. Cole
Jack Harlow
Kendrick Lamar
Lil Baby

Video of the Year

‘We (Warm Embrace)’ by Chris Brown
‘2 Million Up’ by Peezy, Jeezy & Real Boston Richey ft. Rob49
‘About Damn Time’ by Lizzo
‘Bad Habit’ by Steve Lacy
‘First Class’ by Jack Harlow
‘Kill Bill’ by SZA
‘Tomorrow 2’ by Glorilla & Cardi B

Video Director of the Year

Burna Boy
A$Ap Rocky For Awge
Benny Boom
Cole Bennett
Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
Director X
Teyana “Spike Tey” Taylor

Best New Artist

Ambré
Coco Jones
Doechii
Flo
Glorilla
Ice Spice
Lola Brooke

Dr Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award

‘Bless Me’ by Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin
‘Finished (Live)’ by Tamela Mann
‘I’ve Got Joy’ by Cece Winans
‘Kingdom’ by Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin Feat. Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore
‘New’ by Tye Tribbett
‘One Moment From Glory’ by Yolanda Adams
‘The Better Benediction (Pt.2)’ by PJ Morton ft. Lisa Knowles-Smith, Le’andria Johnson, Keke Wyatt, Kierra Sheard & Tasha Cobbs Leonard

Bet HER

‘About Damn Time’ by Lizzo
‘Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2’ by Pinkpantheress, Ice Spice
‘Break My Soul’ by Beyoncé
‘Her’ by Megan Thee Stallion
‘Lift Me Up’ by Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - Music From And Inspired By - Rihanna & Ludwig Göransson
‘Players’ by Coi Leray
‘Special’ by Lizzo

Album of the Year