Wizkid and Tems triumph at 2022 BET Awards

The two Nigerians took home the Best Collaboration Award for the Justin Bieber-assisted remix of ‘Essence’, fending off competition from DJ Khaled’s ‘Every Chance I Get’, Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Family Ties’, Doja Cat’s ‘Kiss Me More’, Drake’s ‘Way 2 Sexy’ and Bia’s ‘Whole Lotta Money (Remix)’.

“Thank you BET, thank you everyone,” Tems said when she received the award. “This award is for Wizkid, and I just want to say that a great thing is happening from Africa right now. The light is on everyone there. This is dedicated to Africa and Nigeria.”

Tems returned onstage to receive the Best International Act Award after she beat Fireboy DML (Nigeria), Major League DJz (South Africa), Fally Ipupa (DRC), Dave (UK), Dinos (France), Ludmilla (Brazil) and Tayc (France).

“Where I’m from in Lagos, this is a dream,” she said. “As you’re watching me, imagine yourself as me, you are meant to be here, too.”

Hosted by actress Taraji P Henson, the evening saw performances from a host of artists, including Fireboy DML, who offered a rendition of his latest single ‘Playboy’, as well as ‘Peru’.

Meanwhile, Silk Sonic, comprising Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, won the Album of the Year and Group of the Year awards, among others, while veteran producer Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.