Burna Boy’s directorial debut, Last Last, gets a nod.
By Helena Olori
Nigerian Afrobeats superstar and Grammy award-winning artiste, Burna Boy, has garnered four nominations as the BET Awards 2023 nominees are announced. Following his win as the Best International Act winner at the 2021 BET Awards, Burna Boy is now vying for the same category again, and is closely trailed by Tems with three nominations.
Burna Boy’s nominations includes Best Male R&B/Pop Artist and Viewers Choice Award, where he will compete against the likes of Chris Brown, Blxst, Drake, The Weeknd, Beyoncé, Lizzo, Jack Harlow, and Nicki Minaj.
Additionally, the “African Giant” has been recognised for his outstanding work as a Video Director of the Year, specifically for his remarkable music video for his 2022 single, Last Last.
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Tems, the latest Grammy winner in the block, has also been nominated in the Best Female R&B/Pop Artist category, and the Best Collaboration and Viewer’s Choice categories for her collaborative works with Future and Drake on Wait for You.
Joining the nominations list is Mavin Records artiste, Arya Starr, nominated for the Best International Act category, and Asake, known for his hit song, Mr. Money, who’s featured in the Viewer’s Choice and Best New International Act categories.
Wizkid, the 2022 “Best Collaboration” winner, is nominated again in the same category for his feature on Chris Brown’s Call Me Everyday.
(Read also: Nigerian Singer/Songwriter, Lucid, Releass Debut EP, Hi, I’m Lulu)
According to the press release from BET, this year’s nominees reflect abundant creative expression and Black excellence across music, television, film, and sports, with Canadian Rapper, Drake, leading the pack with seven nominations.
Other notable nominees for this year’s awards are Beyoncé, Chris Brown, GloRilla, Cardi B, 21Savage, Ice Spice; Gospel artiste, Kirk Franklin, among others.
These nominees were carefully selected by the BET Voting Academy, comprising entertainment professionals and influencers in music, media, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations, and creative arts.
The annual “BET Awards,” dedicated to celebrating the best and brightest of the Black experience, recognises talents in Black music, creativity, and sportsmanship.
The 2023 event dubbed Culture’s Biggest Night, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop throughout the live telecast on BET on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at 8PM Eastern Time.
See the complete list of nominees here.