Wizkid and Tems have scored a nomination at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards, which are set to air live on NBC from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 15. It also will stream live on Peacock.
The Nigerian afrobeats and afropop singers were nominated in category for the “Top R&B Song” category for remix of their global success “Essence“, which features American pop star, Justin Bieber. They are up against Doja Cat & The Weeknd “You Right”, GIVĒON “Heartbreak Anniversary”, Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar & GIVĒON “Peaches” and Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak) “Leave The Door Open”.
“Essence” was released on 9 April 2021, as the fourth single from Wizkid’s fourth studio album, Made in Lagos. The “sensual” song sees the duo express their desire for each other. The song became the first Nigerian song in history to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Global 200. The song received a nomination at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Global Music Performance.
A remix featuring additional vocals from Canadian singer Justin Bieber was released on 13 August 2021, and appears on the deluxe edition of Made in Lagos.
The Weeknd leads the finalists for the awards with a total of 17 nominations. Other top finalists include Doja Cat with 14 noms; Justin Bieber, Kanye “Ye” West and Olivia Rodrigo with 13 apiece; Drake with 11; Dua Lipa and Ed Sheeran with nine apiece; The Kid LAROI with eight; and BTS, Giveon and Taylor Swift with seven each.
The Weeknd will vie for top artist with Doja Cat, Drake, Rodrigo and Swift. Rodrigo also is up for best new artist — an award she won at Sunday’s Grammys — along with Giveon, Masked Wolf, Pooh Shiesty and The Kid LAROI.
Awards will be handed out in 62 categories spanning a variety of genres, including five categories that are new to this year’s show: top Billboard global 200 artist, top Billboard global excl. U.S. artist, top Billboard global 200 song, top Billboard global excl. U.S. song and top viral song. Sheeran is a finalist in all four new global categories for artist and his song “Bad Habits,” while “Save Your Tears” and The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber’s “STAY” are represented in both new global song categories. Rodrigo and The Weeknd are finalists across both new global artist categories.
A host and performers for the event, which celebrates music’s greatest achievements, will be announced in coming weeks. Honorees will be determined by their performance on the Billboard charts, while nominees and winners are based on key fan interactions with music including streaming, album, digital sales, radio airplay, touring and more.