Who will be BET Awards’ best international act?

This year, the stakes have been raised with the BET Awards combining the Best International Act Africa and Best International Europe categories into one. The winner will be determined by a democratic process that takes into consideration votes from fans and those of an international voting academy comprising music industry professionals.

Everybody on the list is a potential winner, if their contributions in the past year are anything to go by. Here’s a general look at what each African artists has achieved recently.

Tiwa Savage

Tiwa Savage could become the first woman to win the Best International Act Award. She's also the only female nominee this year. The Nigerian singer, who's highly active on the collaboration front across the African continent, was applauded last year by British rockers Coldplay for her Sugarcane EP. She has worked with South African rapper Emtee, Nigerian sensation Wizkid, Kenyan group Sauti Sol and US superstar Omarion on the recent ‘Get It Now Remix’, making her a serious contender for the big prize.

Distruction Boyz

Distruction Boyz are most certainly the underdogs on the list of nominees for this award. But they have a good track record considering the popularity of their SAMA-winning song ‘Omunye’. As the poster boys of the in-fashion gqom genre, the pair have an advantage over their competitors, who are nowhere near on the hip scale. The duo also makes an appearance in DJ Maphorisa's documentary Gqom Wave, which is also pretty cool.

Fally Ipupa

Fally Ipupa will be representing Francophone Africa at the BET Awards. This marks the third time that the Congo-born singer has been nominated in the international category. Although he was unsuccessful the previous two times, this year could be his. Third time’s a charm, right? He spent 2017 promoting his album Tokooos and performed in Kenya, Mali, France, Switzerland and South Africa. He was also featured in the Jeune Afrique publication as one of the most influential Africans.

Cassper Nyovest

Cassper Nyovest treated diehard fans with the release of his album Thuto last year. The album featured American singer Goapele on the song ‘Destiny’ whose video set a new standard in South Africa. The ‘Ksazobalit’ hitmaker made heads turn at the 2017 South African Hip Hop Awards, walking away with six golden stars out of the eight he was nominated for. A week earlier, he almost filled South Africa's biggest stadium as a part of his fill-up series, which he's taking to Durban later this year. The rapper was also included in this year's Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list.

Davido

Davido is no stranger to the BETs. He is this year's only nominee who's previously walked away with the Best International Act Award. This was in 2014. Last year, he released hits like 'If', 'Fall' and 'FIA', all of which have a minimum of 40 million views on YouTube. He also made it onto the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list.

The verdict

It may well be that an African artist does not win this year's award. The five will go against Booba (France), Dadju (France), Niska (France), J Hus (UK), Stefflon Don (UK) and Stormzy (UK). Still, that's an almost 46% chance that an African wins the award. But who? Cassper has embarked on a mammoth online campaign mobilising fans to vote for him and Davido, whose appeal transcends the continent, is arguably the biggest name in the category.

But since the winner will also be determined by industry professionals, a surprise like new kids on the block Distruction Boys taking the award or Tiwa Savage making history is on the cards. Then there's Fally Ipupa, the dark horse who's been gunning for it forever. Nonetheless, our money is definitely on Davido.