Following this year’s announcement of the BET Awards, Nigerian musician Ayra Starr leads the nominations for Africans, earning three nods.
The MOBO award winner, known for such hits as “Rush”, “Ngozi”, “Santa” and “Commas” has received nominations in the following categories:
- Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
- Best New Artist
- Best International Act
Fellow singer-songwriter and Grammy award winning artist, Tems, follows on the list with two nods in the BET Her category for her songs “Hold On” and “Burning”. The “Lift Me Up” songwriter shares the nominations with music heavy hitters including Beyoncé, Mary J Blige, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Doechii – who already has 6 nods, Summer Walker, FLO and Glorilla.
Other Africans nominated include Abigail Chams – the only East African on the list, Burna Boy, Black Sherif, Rema, Tyla, Uncle Waffles, Dlala Thukzin, Maglera Doe Boy, Shallipopi and TxC in the Best International Act category.
The BET Award for Best International Act: Africa first awarded in 2010, was an award given to honour the outstanding achievements of international artists from Africa every year, however, it was later combined with the BET Award for international acts under heavy criticisms from African musicians such as Yemi Alade because it was awarded in a pre-recorded segment “away from view.”
See full list of nominees here.
