The highly anticipated BET Awards 2023 nominations have been revealed, and it’s Nigerian music stars who are stealing the spotlight.
Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tems, Ayra Starr, and Asake have all earned nods in various categories, showcasing the growing influence of Nigerian music on the global stage.
Taking place on June 25, 2023, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, the BET Awards honors excellence in black entertainment.
This year’s nominations feature a diverse range of talent from around the world, but it’s the Nigerian artists dominating the major categories that are creating the most excitement.
Burna Boy, who clinched the Best International Act award at the 2021 BET Awards, is once again a contender in the same category. He faces stiff competition, including fellow Nigerian superstar Wizkid, who secured the award in 2020.
Burna Boy is also nominated in prestigious categories such as Best Male R&B/Pop Artist and Viewers Choice Award, pitting him against acclaimed artists like Chris Brown, Blxst, Drake, The Weeknd, Beyoncé, Lizzo, Jack Harlow, Nicki Minaj, and fellow compatriot Tems.
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Tems, whose hits like “Essence” and her rendition of “No Woman No Cry” for ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ have propelled her to stardom, received nominations for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Best Collaboration, and Viewer’s Choice Award. She will compete with industry heavyweights such as Ari Lennox, Beyoncé, Coco Jones, H.E.R., Lizzo, and SZA in the Best Female R&B/Pop Artist category.
Wizkid, who triumphed in the “Best Collaboration” category in 2022, is once again nominated in the same category for his song “Call Me Everyday” featuring Chris Brown. This year also marks the first BET Awards nominations for Ayra Starr and Asake, both of whom received nods in the Best International Act and Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act categories.
Ayra Starr, signed to Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records, has quickly emerged as one of Nigeria’s most promising new artists with hits like “Rush” and “Bloody Samaritan.” Asake, on the other hand, has been making waves in the Nigerian music scene since 2021 with his successful debut album “Mr Money with The Vibe.”
With seven nominations, including Best Male Hip-Hop Artist, Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, Best Group with 21 Savage, and Album of the Year for “Her Loss” with 21 Savage, Drake and GloRilla lead the pack this year. GloRilla, like Drake, has received nominations for both solo and collaborative efforts, including Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, Best New Artist, Album of the Year for “Anyways, Life’s Great,” Video of the Year for “Tomorrow 2” with Cardi B, and two nominations for Best Collaboration with “F.N.F. Let’s Go” and “Tomorrow 2.”
