As the opening track of the deluxe edition (Tyla +) of her self-titled debut album “Tyla,” “Shake Ah” is a high-energy amapiano anthem.

Shot in the vibrant streets of the Favelas, the video captures the essence of a lively party, with people dancing furiously and having the time of their lives.

Press play and join the fun:

Tyla is not new to international accolades.

Having won a Grammy, MTV Video Music Award (VMAs) and now an MTV Europe Music Award (EMAs), Tyla has surely become a regular when it comes to winning at global award ceremonies.

Taking to Manchester, England, on 10 November 2024, Tyla bagged three awards at the MTV EMAs in Best African Act, Best R&B and Best Afrobeats. Tyla was also nominated for Best New Artist, which she unfortunately lost to U.S. singer Benson Boone.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DCN7fb0tZuH/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=540&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.snl24.com&rp=%2Ftruelove%2Fcelebrity%2Ftyla-wins-big-at-mtv-emas-im-just-as-shocked-as-you-guys-20241111#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A16908.79999999702%2C%22ls%22%3A3896%2C%22le%22%3A5294.79999999702%7D

She competed against internationally renowned stars such as SZA, Kehlani, and Usher in the best R&B category and emerged victorious, proving once again that she is a global favourite.

In accepting the best R&B award, Tyla stated that despite her versatile music, R&B is one of her biggest influences with artists such as the late U.S. musician Aaliyah being her inspiration. She added that her dress for the evening was a recreation of one of Aaliyah’s red carpet-looks.

https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7435710329499192609?lang=en-US&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.snl24.com%2Ftruelove%2Fcelebrity%2Ftyla-wins-big-at-mtv-emas-im-just-as-shocked-as-you-guys-20241111

In accepting her Best Afrobeats Award, Tyla was joined by her sister, Sydney Seethal, on stage where they shared a heartfelt moment, with Sydney mentioning how proud she is of her sister.

Tyla also gave gratitude to her fan base, the Tigers, for their continuous support and votes and gave thanks to the Afrobeats genre for opening doors for many Africans. Other South African talents such as DBN Gogo, Tito M and Yuppe were nominated for best African acts.

https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7435771044302015786?lang=en-US&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.snl24.com%2Ftruelove%2Fcelebrity%2Ftyla-wins-big-at-mtv-emas-im-just-as-shocked-as-you-guys-20241111

READ MORE | Tyla, DBN Gogo and others score nominations for the MTV EMAs

Now what would be an international ceremony without a breathtaking performance from the Jump hitmaker.

Tyla took to the stage and performed hits such as Water and one of her latest hit’s, Push 2 Start, having many of the MTV EMAs guests up on their feet and cheering along.

Hollywood Reporters said the Recording Academy’s R&B screening committee kicked the project from Best R&B Album to Best Pop Vocal Album.

If nominated in pop, Tyla would become the first African artist to compete in the category.

Her self-titled project would face stiff competition from Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department, Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine, Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft, Chappell Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, and Sabrina Carpenter’s Short N’ Sweet.

Reacting to the upgrade, Tyla excited wrote on X; “I make it all.”

Recall that Tyla won the first-ever Grammy for Best African Music Performance earlier this year with her hit song ‘Water.’

Credit: Billboard Hip Hop/Instagram

South African superstar Tyla won her first MTV Video Music Award (VMA) this year, and her acceptance speech carried a powerful message for the global music industry: African music is rich, diverse, and far more than just Afrobeats.

Held yesterday at the UBS Arena in Queens, New York, the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards had Megan Thee Stallion as the host. This year marked another milestone for African music, as Tyla took home the award for Best Afrobeats with her chart-topping hit “Water.” She was in the “Best Afrobeats” category alongside  Burna Boy, Tems, Tyla, Davido, Ayra Starr, Lojay, and Pheelz and was also nominated for “Best New Artist,” and “Best RnB.”

After being presented with her award by Lil Nas X and Halle Bailey, Tyla expressed her gratitude to the organisers of the show and described her win as “a big moment for Africa,” adding that the success of “Water” not only made a global impact but also proved that “African music can be pop music too.”

“Like this is just so special but also bittersweet because I know there’s a tendency to group all African artists under Afrobeats,” she said.  “African music is so diverse, it’s more than just Afrobeats.”

Tyla’s win follows the success of Rema, who took home the inaugural Best Afrobeats award last year for his hit song “Calm Down” featuring Selena Gomez.

Meanwhile, Taylor Swift dominated the night with seven wins, tying for most overall, while Eminem claimed the most solo male artist wins.

Watch Tyla receive her award below:https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_zNsATvDUy/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=540&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bellanaija.com&rp=%2F2024%2F09%2Ftyla-wins-best-afrobeats-award-vmas-2024%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A3649.1999999955297%2C%22ls%22%3A1747.2999999970198%2C%22le%22%3A2705.6999999955297%7D

See looks from the event:

Coco Joneshttps://www.instagram.com/p/C_yv2K3SWAj/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=540&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bellanaija.com&rp=%2F2024%2F09%2Ftyla-wins-best-afrobeats-award-vmas-2024%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A3661.89999999851%2C%22ls%22%3A1747.2999999970198%2C%22le%22%3A2705.6999999955297%7D

Lenny Kravitzhttps://www.instagram.com/p/C_zJPkguZo1/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=540&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bellanaija.com&rp=%2F2024%2F09%2Ftyla-wins-best-afrobeats-award-vmas-2024%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A3667.6999999955297%2C%22ls%22%3A1747.2999999970198%2C%22le%22%3A2705.6999999955297%7D

Sabrina Carpenterhttps://www.instagram.com/p/C_zZvJMtVXH/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=540&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bellanaija.com&rp=%2F2024%2F09%2Ftyla-wins-best-afrobeats-award-vmas-2024%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A3%2C%22os%22%3A13156.89999999851%2C%22ls%22%3A1747.2999999970198%2C%22le%22%3A2705.6999999955297%7D

Halle Baileyhttps://www.instagram.com/p/C_zCzGdM5B_/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=540&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bellanaija.com&rp=%2F2024%2F09%2Ftyla-wins-best-afrobeats-award-vmas-2024%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A13688.10000000149%2C%22ls%22%3A1747.2999999970198%2C%22le%22%3A2705.6999999955297%7D

Megan Thee Stallionhttps://www.instagram.com/p/C_zldN_ubYY/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=540&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bellanaija.com&rp=%2F2024%2F09%2Ftyla-wins-best-afrobeats-award-vmas-2024%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A5%2C%22os%22%3A13720.69999999553%2C%22ls%22%3A1747.2999999970198%2C%22le%22%3A2705.6999999955297%7D

See the full list of winners below:

Video of the Year, Presented by Burger King®

Ariana Grande – We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)
Billie Eilish – Lunch
Doja Cat – Pain the Town Red
Eminem – Houdini
SZA – Snooze
WINNER: Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – Fortnight

Artist of the Year

Ariana Grande
Bad Bunny
Eminem
Sabrina Carpenter
SZA
WINNER: Taylor Swift

Song of the Year

Beyoncé – Texas Hold ’Em
Jack Harlow – Lovin on Me
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
WINNER: Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso
Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – Fortnight
Teddy Swims – Lose Control

Best New Artist

Benson Boone
WINNER: Chappell Roan
Gracie Abrams
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims
Tyla

MTV Push Performance of the Year

August 2023: Kaliii – Area Codes
September 2023: Glorilla – Lick or Sum
October 2023: Benson Boone – In the Stars
November 2023: Coco Jones – ICU
December 2023: Victoria Monét – On My Mama
January 2024: Jessie Murph – Wild Ones
February 2024: Teddy Swims – Lose Control
March 2024: Chappell Roan – Red Wine Supernova
April 2024: Flyana Boss – Yeaaa
May 2024: Laufey – Goddess
WINNER: June 2024: Le Sserafim – Easy
July 2024: The Warning – Automatic Sun

Best Collaboration

Drake Featuring Sexyy Red & SZA – Rich Baby Daddy
Glorilla & Megan Thee Stallion – Wanna Be
Jessie Murph Featuring Jelly Roll – Wild Ones
Jung Kook Featuring Latto – Seven
Post Malone Featuring Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help
WINNER: Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – Fortnight

Best Pop

Camila Cabello
Dua Lipa
Olivia Rodrigo
Sabrina Carpenter
Tate McRae
WINNER: Taylor Swift

Best Hip-Hop

Drake Featuring Sexyy Red & SZA – Rich Baby Daddy
WINNER: Eminem – Houdini
Glorilla – Yeah Glo!
Gunna – Fukumean
Megan Thee Stallion – Boa
Travis Scott Featuring Playboi Carti – Fe!n

Best R&B

Alicia Keys – Lifeline
Muni Long – Made for Me
WINNER: SZA – Snooze
Tyla – Water
Usha, Summer Walker & 21 Savage – Good Good
Victoria Monét – On My Mama

Best Alternative

WINNER: Benson Boone – Beautiful Things
Bleachers – Tiny Moves
Hozier – Too Sweet
Imagine Dragons – Eyes Closed
Linkin Park – Friendly Fire
Teddy Swims – Lose Control (Live)

Best Rock

Bon Jovi – Legendary
Coldplay – Feelslikeimfallinginlove
Green Day – Dilemma
Kings of Leon – Mustang
WINNER: Lenny Kravitz – Human
U2 – Atomic City

Best Latin

WINNER: Anitta – Mil Veces
Bad Bunny – Monaco
Karol G – Mi Ex Tenía Razón
Myke Towers – Lala
Peso Pluma & Anitta – Bellakeo
Rauw Alejandro – Touching the Sky
Shakira & Cardi B – Puntería

Best Afrobeats

WINNER: Ayra Starr Featuring Giveon – Last Heartbreak Song
Burna Boy – City Boys
Chris Brown Featuring Davido and Lojay – Sensational
Tems – Love Me JeJe
Tyla – Water
Usher & Pheelz – Ruin

Best K-Pop

Jung Kook Featuring Latto – Seven
WINNER: Lisa – Rockstar
NCT Dream – Smoothie
NewJeans – Super Shy
Stray Kids – Lalalala
Tomorrow X Together – Deja Vu

Video for Good

Alexander Stewart – If You Only Knew
WINNER: Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For? (From the Motion Picture “Barbie”)
Coldplay – Felslikeimfallinginlove
Joyner Lucas & Jelly Roll – Best for Me
Raye – Genesis
Tyler Childers – In Your Love

Best Direction

Ariana Grande – We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)
Bleachers – Tiny Moves
Eminem – Houdini
Megan Thee Stallion – Boa
Sabrina Carpenter – Please Please Please
WINNER: Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – Fortnight

Best Cinematography

WINNER: Ariana Grande – We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)
Charli XCX – Von Dutch
Dua Lipa – Illusion
Olivia Rodrigo – Obsessed
Rauw Alejandro – Touching the Sky
Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – Fortnight

Best Editing

Anitta – Mil Veces
Ariana Grande – We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)
Eminem – Houdini
Lisa – Rockstar
Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso
WINNER: Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – Fortnight

Best Choreography

Bleachers – Tiny Moves
WINNER: Dua Lipa – Houdini
Lisa – Rockstar
Rauw Alejandro – Touching the Sky
Tate McRae – Greedy
Troye Sivan – Rush

Best Visual Effects

Ariana Grande – The Boy Is Mine
WINNER: Eminem – Houdini
Justin Timberlake – Selfish
Megan Thee Stallion – Boa
Olivia Rodrigo – Get Him Back!
Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – Fortnight

Best Art Direction

Charli XCX – 360
Lisa – Rockstar
WINNER: Megan Thee Stallion – Boa
Olivia Rodrigo – Bad Idea Right?
Sabrina Carpenter – Please Please Please
Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – Fortnight

Best Trending Video

Beyoncé – Texas Hold ’Em
Camila Cabello Featuring Playboi Carti – I Luv It
Chappell Roan – Hot to Go!
Charli XCX – Apple
WINNER: Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Yuki Chiba – Mamushi
Tinashe – Nasty

Best Group

Coldplay
Imagine Dragons
NCT Dream
NewJeans
*NSync
WINNER: Seventeen
Tomorrow X Together
Twenty One Pilots

Song of the Summer, Presented by Hilton

Ariana Grande – We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)
Benson Boone – Beautiful Things
Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
Chappell Roan – Good Luck Babe!
Charli XCX & Billie Eilish – Guess Featuring Billie Eilish
Eminem – Houdini
Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar – Like That
Glorilla & Megan Thee Stallion – Wanna Be
Hozier – Too Sweet
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Post Malone Featuring Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help
Sabrina Carpenter – Please Please Please
Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)
SZA – Saturn
WINNER: Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – Fortnight
Tommy Richman – Million Dollar Baby

VMAs Most Iconic Performance

Beyoncé – Love on Top
Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Madonna & Missy Elliot – Like a Virgin / Hollywood
Eminem – The Real Slim Shady / The Way I Am
WINNER: Katy Perry – Roar
Lady Gaga – Paparazzi
Madonna – Like a Virgin
Taylor Swift – You Belong With Me

Grammy-winning singer Tyla made a dazzling appearance at the LVMH Prelude to the Olympics in Paris. The music star surprised attendees with a performance of her chart-topping hit, “Water,” while sporting a fresh-off-the-runway ensemble designed by Pharrell Williams for Louis Vuitton.

The star-studded event was hosted by a prestigious lineup including Anna Wintour, Bernard Arnault, Brian Roberts, Pharrell Williams, Serena Williams, Charlize Theron, Omar Sy, and Rosalía.

Watch her performance below:https://www.instagram.com/reel/C95e6ByOlDA/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=540&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bellanaija.com&rp=%2F2024%2F07%2Ftyla-performs-at-lvmh-olympics-paris%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A9239.39999999851%2C%22ls%22%3A837.3999999985099%2C%22le%22%3A1120.6000000014901%7D

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BellaNaija Style (@bellanaijastyle)

Watch her get ready for the red carpet below:

DJ Spinall has released the music video to his latest single, “One Call,” featuring Omah Lay and Tyla. The video brings the love ballad “One Call” to life with a heartwarming wedding scene, where the couple exchanges vows and dances the night away with their guests, all while DJ Spinall keeps the party going on the turntables.

Produced by P.Prime, “One Call” is a mesmerising assertion that distance can’t destroy what’s real. Weaving heartfelt lyrics and the repeated promise to be “one call away,” Omah Lay and Tyla showcase their unwavering devotion to true love.

Watch the video below:

Tems was the only Nigerian on the winners’ list at this year’s BET Awards on Sunday night at Los Angeles’s Peacock Theater.

Tems’ “Me & U” saw off competition from Gospel giants like Kirk Franklin, Shirley Caesar, Maverick City, and others to win the Dr Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award.

Her compatriots, Ayra Starr and Asake lost the Best International Act to South Africa’s Tyla. Starr also lost Best New Artist to Tyla and BET Her to Victoria Monét.

Similarly, Seyi Vibez lost the Best New International Act to South Africa’s Makhadzi.

Another Nigerian, Burna Boy, lost Best Male R&B/Pop Artist to Usher and Best Hip-hop Artist to Kendrick Lamar.

Here is the full list:

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

• Chris Brown
• Drake
• Fridayy
• Brent Faiyaz
• Bryson Tiller

• Usher (WINNER)
• Burna Boy
• October London

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

• Doja Cat
• H.E.R.
• Muni Long

• SZA (WINNER)

• Beyoncé
• Coco Jones
• Tyla
• Victoria Monét

Best Group

• 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne
• 41
• Flo

• ¥$, Ye, Ty Dolla $ign (WINNER)

• Maverick City Music
• Blxst & Bino Rideaux
• City Girls
• Wanmor

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist

• Drake
• Future
• Kendrick Lamar (WINNER)

• 21 Savage
• Burna Boy
• Gunna
• J. Cole

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist

• Nicki Minaj (WINNER)

• Cardi B
• Doja Cat
• Megan Thee Stallion
• Sexyy Red
• GloRilla
• Ice Spice
• Latto

Best New Artist

• 4Batz
• Ayra Starr
• 41
• Bossman Dlow
• Sexyy Red

• Tyla (WINNER)
• Fridayy
• October London

Album of the Year

• Drake, For All the Dogs (Scary Hours Edition)
• 21 Savage, American Dream
• Usher, Coming Home
• Victoria Monét, Jaguar II

• Killer Mike, Michael (WINNER)

• Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday 2
• Chris Brown, 11:11
• Gunna, A Gift & A Curse

Best Collaboration

• Lil Durk feat. J. Cole, “All My Life” (WINNER)

• Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice (With Aqua), “Barbie World”
• Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion, “Bongos”
• ¥$, Ye, Ty Dolla $ign feat. Rich The Kid, Playboi Carti, “Carnival”
• Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA, “Rich Baby Daddy”
• Lola Brooke feat. Latto & Yung Miami, “Don’t Play With It (Remix)”
• Nicki Minaj feat. Lil Uzi Vert, “Everybody”
• Beyoncé feat. Kendrick Lamar, “America Has a Problem (Remix)”
• Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage, “Good Good”

Video of the Year

• Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice (With Aqua), “Barbie World”
• Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion, “Bongos”
• Drake feat. J. Cole, “First Person Shooter”
• Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA, “Rich Baby Daddy”
• Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage, “Good Good”

• Victoria Monét, “On My Mama” (WINNER)

• Doja Cat, “Agora Hills”
• Lil Durk feat J. Cole, “All My Life”

Video Director of the Year

• Benny Boom
• Child.
• Offset
• Tems
• Tyler, The Creator

• Cole Bennett (WINNER)

• Dave Meyers
• Janelle Monáe & Alan Ferguson

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award

• Shirley Caesar, “Award All of the Glory”
• Kirk Franklin, “All Things”

• Tems, “Me & U” (WINNER)

• Kirk Franklin, “Try Love”
• Erica Campbell, “Do You Believe in Love?”
• Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore, “God Problems”
• Halle Bailey, “Angel”
• CeCe Winans, “Come Jesus Come”

Viewer’s Choice Award

• Doja Cat, “Agora Hills”
• Lil Durk feat. J. Cole, “All My Life”
• Muni Long, “Made for Me”
• Victoria Monét, “On My Mama”

• Beyoncé, “Texas Hold ’Em” (WINNER)

• Tyla, “Water”
• Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA, “Rich Baby Daddy”
• Chris Brown feat. Davido & Lojay, “Sensational”
• Gunna, “Fukumean”
• Jack Harlow, “Lovin on Me”

Best International Act

• Ayra Starr (Africa)
• Bk’ (Brazil)
• Asake (Africa)
• Aya Nakamura (France)
• Karol Conká (Brazil)
• Raye (UK)
• Tiakola (France)
• Tyla (Africa)
• Cleo Sol (UK)
• Focalistic (Africa)

Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act

• Duquesa (Brazil)
• Holly G (France)
• Jungeli (France)

• Makhadzi (Africa) (WINNER)

• Oruam (Brazil)
• Bellah (UK)
• Cristale (UK)
• Seyi Vibez (Africa)
• Tyler Icu (Africa)

BET Her

• Megan Thee Stallion, “Hiss”
• Victoria Monét, “On My Mama” (WINNER)

• Beyoncé, “16 Carriages”
• Nicki Minaj feat. Tasha Cobbs Leonard, “Blessings”
• SZA, “Saturn”
• GloRilla, “Yeah Glo!”
• Ayra Starr, “Commas”
• Flo feat. Missy Elliott, “Fly Girl”

Tyla and her mum watch the MET Gala on TV every year, so when the invitation arrived for this year’s event, her excitement was off the charts.

The theme for 2024 was “Garden of Time,” and Tyla embodied the mistress of time and land in a show-stopping Balmain dress made from actual sand and microcrystals meticulously hand-applied onto a fabric mould sculpted to her exact form.

Appearing on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Tyla couldn’t wait to share the story behind her now-viral sand dress. “There’s no way we are going safe!” she exclaimed to Kelly. While she admits the initial concept went over her head at first, Tyla says she was completely smitten once she saw the samples.

Watch below:

Since her rise through scenic stardom to global sensation, Tyla has been intent about showcasing the intimate beauty of her South African experiences, whether it’s through keeping her natural accent when speaking, or telling stories of her experiences. In her, the country gets a Gen Z representative that has positioned it in a new, great light, and on “Jump” she does so visually.

Nabil’s picture gets a stellar muse in the person of Tyla, whose lithe frame is centered in different scenes. From a cloth-suffused backyard, to a balcony, “Jump” offers a view into the idiosyncrasies of a party. Even down to the scenes showing the insides of a building, there’s a cinematic urgency that makes the visual appealing. And through Tyla’s natural ability to catch attention and retain it, the video’s three minute-plus runtime holds onto the viewer’s gaze with intensity.

The song itself, while also a call to dance, is primarily about self-confidence and the scenes exude that sort of personality. Sun-streaked for most parts, it evokes the bustling period of summer, where people get out and lay their hair down after months of intense work.

With Skillibeng bringing his sensual dancehall sensibilities to the song, and Gunna’s sleek flow merging beautifully with the R&B-inspired rhythm of Tyla, the sound sets the template for what the visual achieves. And considering the realistic material director Nabil is able to incorporate while staying within the sonic universe, it’s a creative alliance that succeeds on all fronts.

Source: Okay Africa | EMMANUEL ESOMNOFU

South African superstar Tyla leads the nominations for African artists with four nods.

The BET Awards have announced the nominees for this year’s edition. Billed as “culture’s biggest night,” over the years the BET has become a prime destination for rewarding Black excellence across music, television, film and sports. According to the BET website, “nominees were selected by the BET Voting Academy, which is comprised of an esteemed group of entertainment professionals and influencers in the fields of music, media, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations and creative arts.”

South African breakout star Tyla leads the African contingent this year, getting four nominations for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Best New Artist, Viewer’s Choice Award and Best International Act.

Continuing the African representation on the list with multiple nominations are Burna Boy (Best Male R&B/Pop Artist and Best Male Hip Hop Artist), Ayra Starr (Best New Artist, Best International Act, and the BET Her award), and Tems (Video Director of the Year and Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award).

Makhadzi, Seyi Vibez, Asake and Focalistic were also nominated in different categories like Best International Act and Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act.

In the movie categories, international-based Nigerians Damson Idris and Ayo Edebiri were nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively.

Over the years, African artists have laid a strong claim to the BET Awards, winning in important categories such as Best International Act and Best New Artist. Between 2019 and 2021, Nigerian star Burna Boy won the Best International Act three times, followed in 2022 by compatriot Tems. Last year’s award also went to Burna Boy.

This year’s award casts a wider net over the thriving sphere of African music, combining regulars such as Burna Boy with the relatively new Tyla. Surely, with this level of inclusivity, a lot of eyes would be on the African nominees going into the awards night.

The event will air live on Sunday, June 30, at 8PM ET/PT on the BET channel. Voting for the Viewer’s Choice Awards is expected to commence on June 6 and end on June 30, at 6:30PM PT/ 9:30PM ET.

Check out a list of select nominees below or the full list here.

BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST

• Beyonce
• Coco Jones
• Doja Cat
• H.E.R
• Muni Long
• SZA
• Tyla

BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST

• Brent Faiyaz
• Bryson Tiller
• Burna Boy
• Chris Brown
• Drake
• Fridayy
• October London
• Usher

BEST MALE HIP-HOP ARTIST

• 21 Savage
• Burna Boy
• Drake
• Future
• Gunna
• J. Cole
• Kendrick Lamar
• Lil Wayne

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

• Benny Boom
• Child.
• Cole Bennett
• Dave Meyers
• Janelle Monae & Alan Ferguson
• Offset
• Tems

BEST NEW ARTIST

• 41
• 4BATZ
• Ayra Starr
• Bossman Dlow
• Fridayy
• October London
• Sexxy Red
• Tyla

VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD

• Doja Cat “Agora Hills”
• Lil Durk feat. J.Cole “All My Life”
• Gunna “Fukumean”
• Jack Harlow “Lovin On Me”
• Muni Long “Made For Me”
• Victoria Monet “On My Mama”
• Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA “Rich Baby Daddy”
• Beyonce “Texas Hold Em”
• Tyla “Water”

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT

• Asake
• Aya Nakamura
• Ayra Starr
• BK’
• Cleo Sol
• Focalistic
• Karol Conka
• Raye
• Tiakola
• Tyla

VIEWER’S CHOICE: BEST NEW INTERNATIONAL ACT

• Bellah
• Cristale
• Duquesa
• Holly G
• Jungeli
• Makhadzi
• Oruam
• Seyi Vibez
• Tyler ICU

BEST ACTOR

• Anthony Mackie
• Colman Domingo
• Damson Idris
• Denzel Washington
• Donald Glover
• Idris Elba
• Jeffrey Wright
• Lakeith Stanfield

BEST ACTRESS

• Angela Bassett
• Ayo Edebiri
• Coco Jones
• Danielle Brooks
• Fantasia
• Halle Berry
• Issa Rae

• Regina King