“This is just the tip of the iceberg”, says Burna Boy
By Helena Olori
Grammy award-winning artiste, Burna Boy, and Rema, often regarded as the Afrobeats Prince, have won the newly introduced Afrobeats categories at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards.
Burna Boy, nominated alongside his Nigerian counterparts—Wizkid, Rema, Tems—and Cameroonian star, Libianca, outshone them to win the accolade for the Top Afrobeats Artiste.
The Afrobeats sensation, Rema, who received nominations in six categories, including Top Billboard Global 200 Song, Top Radio Song, Top Collaboration, Top Billboard Global, Top Afrobeats Artiste, and Top Afrobeats Song, clinched the Top Afrobeats Song award with his Billboard-charting track, “Calm Down” remix, featuring Selena Gomez.
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In his acceptance speech, Rema graciously noted that “This honour for ‘Calm Down’ is a celebration of unity and the global domination of Afrobeats”. Selena Gomez, acknowledging Rema’s influence, added, “This is honestly Rema’s doing. He chose me to be a part of such an incredible song, so I wanna thank him and thank all of you for streaming and listening”.
On his part, Burna Boy dedicated his award to artistes emerging from Africa. “This is just the tip of the iceberg but you’re gonna see the whole vision soon”, he said optimistically.
(Read also: Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Davido, Tyla, Rema, Announced as Winners at the 2023 African Entertainment Awards USA)
The 2023 Billboard Music Awards held on Sunday, November 19, 2023, witnessed Morgan Wallen as the top winner with 11 wins from 17 nominated categories, tailed by Taylor Swift as the most celebrated female winner with 10 prizes from her 20 nominations, bringing her Billboard career wins to 39.
According to Billboard, “Swift’s 10 wins and Drake’s five on Sunday night put them in a tie for the top winning artists of all time at the Billboard Music Awards”.
The awards night featured electrifying performances from Karol G, NewJeans, Bebe Rexha, and David Guetta, and a special appearance by boxing legend, Mike Tyson, during Peso Pluma’s performance of “Rubicon”.
See here for a complete list of all the winners.