African musicians: Nigeria’s Wizkid, Tems, and Fireboy; Fally Ipupa from the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and South Africa’s Major League Djz have scored nominations at this year’s BET Awards slated for Los Angeles on June 26.
The BET Awards recognize artists, entertainers, athletes, and philanthropists across over 20 categories since its debut in 2001. According to the organizers, this year’s nominees potray a wealth of creative expression and black excellence across music, television, film, and sports. The show will be hosted by award-winning actor Taraji P. Henson and will air live on BET at 8 pm ET/PT from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Tems, an afrobeats sensation, leads the African contingent with three (3) nominations. She is nominated in three categories for her performance on WizKid’s global smash hit “Essence,” including Best New Artiste, Best International Act, and Best Collaboration. She has earned recognition for her distinct blend of R&B and soul with African nuances, a technique that has piqued the interest of international stars such as Chris Brown, Future, and Drake.
Wizkid comes in second, with two nominations in the “Best Collaboration” and “Best Male R&B/Pop artiste” categories for his chart-topping single “Essence,” which features Justin Bieber and Tems.
Wizkid built his reputation as an Afrobeats folklore through his first three LPs, Superstar (2011), Ayo (2014), and Sounds From the Other Side (2015), after establishing a profile all through the 2000s with co-writing credits and feature spots (2017). However, it is his fourth studio album, 2020’s Made in Lagos, that has established him as one of Nigeria’s significant cultural ambassadors and placed him at the forefront of a global Afrobeat wave.
Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Fireboy DML (Nigeria), and Major League Djz (South Africa) are among the other nominees for Best International Act.
Meanwhile, Doja Cat has six nominations for the 2022 BET Awards, the most by an artiste. Doja is nominated for best female R&B/pop artist, best female hip hop artist, album of the year for Planet Her, BET Her for “Woman,” and two awards for “Kiss Me More,” which features SZA. Doja Cat is the only artist nominated in both R&B/pop and hip hop categories this year, demonstrating her broad appeal.
Here’s the complete list of nominees for the 2022 BET Awards:
Album of the year
An Evening With Silk Sonic, Silk Sonic
Back of My Mind, H.E.R.
Call Me If You Get Lost, Tyler, The Creator
Certified Lover Boy, Drake
Donda, Kanye West
Heaux Tales, Mo’ Tales: The Deluxe, Jazmine Sullivan
Planet Her, Doja Cat
Best female R&B/pop artist
Ari Lennox
Chlöe
Doja Cat
H.E.R.
Jazmine Sullivan
Mary J. Blige
Summer Walker
Best male R&B/pop artist
Blxst
Chris Brown
Givēon
Lucky Daye
The Weeknd
Wizkid
Yung Bleu
Best female hip hop artist
Cardi B
Doja Cat
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Saweetie
Best male hip hop artist
Drake
Future
J. Cole
Jack Harlow
Kanye West
Kendrick Lamar
Lil Baby
Best group
Silk Sonic
Chlöe X Halle
City Girls
Lil Baby & Lil Durk
Migos
Young Dolph & Key Glock
Best collaboration
“Essence,” Wizkid Feat. Justin Bieber & Tems
“Every Chance I Get,” DJ Khaled Feat. Lil Baby & Lil Durk
“Family Ties,” Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar
“Kiss Me More,” Doja Cat Feat. SZA
“Way 2 Sexy,” Drake Feat. Future & Young Thug
“Whole Lotta Money” (Remix), Bia Feat. Nicki Minaj
Best new artist
Baby Keem
Benny the Butcher
Latto
Muni Long
Tems
Yung Bleu
Video of the year
“Family Ties,” Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar
“Have Mercy,” Chlöe
“Kiss Me More,” Doja Cat Feat. SZA
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox
“Smokin Out the Window,” Silk Sonic
“Way 2 Sexy,” Drake Feat. Future & Young Thug
Video director of the year
Anderson .Paak a.k.a. Director .Paak
Benny Boom
Beyoncé & Dikayl Rimmasch
Director X
Hype Williams
Missy Elliott
Dr. Bobby Jones best gospel/inspirational award
“All in Your Hands,” Marvin Sapp
“Come to Life,” Kanye West
Grace. Kelly Price
Hallelujah. Fred Hammond
Hold Us Together (Hope Mix), H.E.R. & Tauren Wells
Jireh, Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music
We Win, Lil Baby X Kirk Franklin
BET Her
“Best of Me (Originals),” Alicia Keys
“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige
“Have Mercy,” Chlöe
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox
“Roster,” Jazmine Sullivan
“Unloyal,” Summer Walker & Ari Lennox
“Woman,” Doja Cat
Best international act
Dave (U.K.)
Dinos (France)
Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Fireboy Dml (Nigeria)
Little Simz (U.K.)
Ludmilla (Brazil)
Major League Djz (South Africa)
Tayc (France)
Tems (Nigeria)
Best movie
Candyman
King Richard
Respect
Space Jam: A New Legacy
Summer of Soul
The Harder They Fall
Best actor
Adrian Holmes, Bel Air
Anthony Anderson, Black-Ish
Damson Idris, Snowfall
Denzel Washington, The Tragedy of Macbeth
Forest Whitaker, Respect | Godfather of Harlem
Jabari Banks, Bel Air
Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us
Will Smith, King Richard
Best actress
Aunjanue Ellis, King Richard
Coco Jones, Bel Air
Issa Rae, Insecure
Jennifer Hudson, Respect
Mary J. Blige, Power Book II: Ghost
Queen Latifah, The Equalizer
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Regina King, The Harder They Fall
Zendaya, Euphoria | Spider-Man: No Way Home
YoungStars award
Akira Akbar
Demi Singleton
Marsai Martin
Miles Brown
Saniyya Sidney
Storm Reid
Sportswoman of the year award
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Naomi Osaka
Serena Williams
Sha’carri Richardson
Simone Biles
Sportsman of the year award
Aaron Donald
Bubba Wallace
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Ja Morant
LeBron James
Stephen Curry