Grammy-nominated Nigerian artiste Burna Boy and countryman Rema of MAVIN Records have both been nominated in the Best International Act and Viewers Choice Best New International Act categories respectively at the 2020 Black Entertainment Television (BET) awards.
Burna Boy’s Best International Act award at the 2019 BET awards is still fresh on our memories as he gets nominated for the prestigious award for the second year running.
The Nigerian artiste who has labeled his music Afrofusion which he explains as Afrobeat music originated by Nigerian legend Fela Kuti infused with contemporary Hip-hop, Dancehall, Reggae, and RNB sounds
Burna Boy’s distinct African sound, deep soothing voice with lyrics reminiscent of the African culture, has seen him rise to become an internationally sought after artiste.
His album African Giant released in July 2019 received good reviews by music critics who commended its cohesiveness and originality of sound.
The album was nominated for Album of the year at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards and the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.
Africa stand up!!! @burnaboy has been nominated in the BET BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT category . 🔥🔥🔥Catch the BET Awards on the 29th of June at 02:00 CAT #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/rga0UBViZe
— BET Africa (@BET_Africa) June 15, 2020
Rema on the other hand has been nominated for Viewers Choice Best New International Act. The category honours new artistes making waves around the world and has featured the likes of Teni also from Nigeria and Kwesi Arthur from Ghana in the past.
Rema, who is signed onto MAVIN Records owned by business mogul Don Jazzy, has also taken the African music scene by storm with hits like Beamer, Dumebi, and Bad Commando.
Vote for @heisrema for the viewer’s choice: BET NEW INTERNATIONAL ACT!!!
— BET Africa (@BET_Africa) June 15, 2020
Vote here for your fave https://t.co/ZmoKWBnrtj#BETAwards pic.twitter.com/knLMVlipwa
Barack Obama revealed that his song Lady was on his playlist proving how far the new artistes music has travelled.
As many music critics have said, it is a great time for African music with the world tapping into the rich diversity of sounds Africa has to offer.
Like Burna Boy himself said, in an interview with American based South African comedian and TV host Trevor Noah, when asked why Afrobeat and African music is coming to the fore today, music originated from Africa and it is always going to circle back to its roots because when everything else fails everyone heads home.
The African sound in its purest form is the most beautiful music you can find and the world is finally beginning to realise that.
Complete List of Nominees
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyonce
H.E.R.
Jhene Aiko
Kehlani
Lizzo
Summer Walker
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Anderson .Paak
Chris Brown
Jacquees
Khalid
The Weeknd
Usher
Best Group
Chloe X Halle
City Girls
EarthGang
Griselda
JackBoys
Migos
Best Collaboration
“No Guidance,” Chris Brown featuring Drake
“Higher,” DJ Khaled featuring Nipsey Hussle and John Legend
“Life is Good,” Future featuring Drake
“Slide,” H.E.R. featuring YG
“Hot Girl Summer,” Megan Thee Stallion featuring Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign
“On Chill,” Wale featuring Jeremih
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
DaBaby
Drake
Future
Lil Baby
Roddy Ricch
Travis Scott
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi B
Doja Cat
Lizzo
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Saweetie
Video of the Year
“No Guidance,” Chris Brown featuring Drake
“Bop,” DaBaby
“Higher,” DJ Khaled featuring Nipsey Hussle and John Legend
“Say So,” Doja Cat
“Hot Girl Summer,” Megan Thee Stallion featuring Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign
“The Box,” Roddy Ricch
Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Cole Bennett
Dave Meyers
Director X
Eif Rivera
Teyana “Spike Tee” Taylor
Best New Artist
Danileigh
Lil Nas X
Pop Smoke
Roddy Ricch
Summer Walker
YBN Cordae
Album of the Year
Cuz I Luv You, Lizzo
Fever, Megan Thee Stallion
Homecoming: The Live Album, Beyonce
I Used To Know Her, H.E.R.
Kirk, DaBaby
Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial, Roddy Ricch
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
“Alright,” Fred Hammond
“I Made It Out,” John P. Kee featuring Zacardi Cortez
“Follow God,” Kanye West
“All In His Plan,” PJ Morton featuring Le’Andria Johnson and Mary Mary
“Victory,” The Clark Sisters
Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Cynthia Erivo
Issa Rae
Regina King
Tracee Ellis Ross
Zendaya
Best Actor
Billy Porter
Eddie Murphy
Forest Whitaker
Jamie Foxx
Michael B. Jordan
Omari Hardwick
Youngstars Award
Alex Hibbert
Asante Blackk
Jahi Di’Allo Winston
Marsai Martin
Miles Brown
Storm Reid
Best Movie
Bad Boys For Life
Dolemite Is My Name
Harriet
Homecoming: A Film By Beyonce
Just Mercy
Queen & Slim
Sportswoman of the Year
Ajeé Wilson
Claressa Shields
Coco Gauff
Naomi Osaka
Serena Williams
Simone Biles
Sportsman of the Year
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Kawhi Leonard
Lebron James
Odell Beckham Jr.
Patrick Mahomes II
Stephen Curry
BET Her Award
“Underdog,” Alicia Keys
“Brown Skin Girl,” Beyonce featuring Blue Ivy Carter, WizKid and SAINt JHN
“Melanin,” Ciara featuring Lupita Nyong’o, Ester Dean, City Girls and LaLa
“I Choose,” Layton Greene
“Tempo,” Lizzo featuring Missy Elliot
“Afeni,” Rapsody featuring PJ Morton
Viewer’s Choice Award
“No Guidance,” Chris Brown featuring Drake
“Bop,” DaBaby
“Life is Good,” Future featuring Drake
“Hot Girl Summer,” Megan Thee Stallion featuring Nicki Minaj
“The Box,” Roddy Ricch
“Heartless,” The Weeknd
Best International Act
Burna Boy
Innoss’B
Sho Madjozi
Dave
Stormzy
Ninho
S.Pri Noir
Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act
Rema
Sha Sha
Celeste
Young T & Bugsey
Hatik
Stacy
