He alongside Banku king and Mr Eazi were the only African artistes to make the listing.

He said: “I really appreciate you. But I don’t appreciate the way my name is written so small on your bill.

“I am an African giant and will not be reduced to whatever that tiny writing means.”

However, in subsequent interviews he will refer to that event as the inspiration behind his Grammy winning African Giant album he released later in 2019.

Since then he has also gone on to win back to back BET awards cementing his place as one of Africa’s music greats.

Meanwhile, Burna Boy has been billed to perform at this year’s One Music Fest later this year in Atlanta, Georgia.

And this time around his name appears in big letters alongside the likes of Lil Wayne and TY Dolla Sign.

The post Burna Boy’s name appears in big letters on One Music Fest banner appeared first on AFRICA EXPLAINED.

Three African artistes, Burna Boy, Diamond Platnumz and Wizkid, will be vying for honors in this year’s Best International Act category at the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards 2021 which will take place this Sunday.

The show happening at the Microsoft Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles, will be the first major live, in-person awards show since the pandemic began.

It will be shown live with physical audience members and American actress, Taraji P. Henson will be the host at the event.

Many artistes like Migos, DJ Khaled, Jasmine Sullivan, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Tyler the Creator and Kirk Franklin. H.E.R. and DaBaby have been lined up to perform.

Swizz Beatz will also pay tributes to DMX, who died in April at the age of 50.

BET Awards is an American award show established by Black Entertainment Television network in 2001 to celebrate African Americans in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment.

2021 BET Award Date, Time and how to watch

The BET 2021 Awards will start on Sunday, June 27 around 8PM EDT/ 7PM CT sharp with pre-show which will kick off around 7PM EDT/4PM CT.

You can watch the live stream of the awards via cable TV subscription or stream via Youtube.

Who are this year’s Nominees?

This year’s most-nominated honorees is Rapper Megan Thee Stallion (who is up in almost every major category she can be) and DaBaby. Both of them have seven nominations each.

Other nominees include Cardi B and Drake, who get five nomination each.

Also, Nigerian artistes Burna Boy and Wizkid and Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz are among the nominees in the Best International Act category.

Burna Boy won the Best International Act category in the 2019 and 2020 BET Awards. While Wizkid won it in 2012, when the category had two divisions for Africa and UK.

In 2020, Wizkid also won in the BET HER Award for ‘Brown Skin Girl.’

This is how the nominees are listed this year.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

• After Hours – The Weeknd
• Blame it on Baby – DaBaby
• Good News – Megan Thee Stallion
• Heaux Tales – Jazmine Sullivan
• King’s Disease – Nas
• Ungodly Hour – Chloe x Halle

BEST COLLABORATION

“WAP” – Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion

“Rockstar” – DaBaby feat. Roddy Ricch

“Popstar” – DJ Khaled feat. Drake

“Whats Poppin (Remix)” – Jack Harlow feat. DaBaby, Tory Lanez & Lil Wayne

“Cry Baby” – Megan Thee Stallion feat. DaBaby”For the Night” – Pop Smoke feat. Lil Baby & DaBaby

“For the Night” – Pop Smoke feat. Lil Baby & DaBaby

BEST FEMALE R&B / POP ARTIST

• Beyoncé
• H.E.R.
• Jazmine Sullivan
• Jhené Aiko
• Summer Walker
• SZA
• BEST MALE R&B / POP ARTIST
• 6LACK
• Anderson .Paak
• Chris Brown
• Giveon
• Tank
• The Weeknd

BEST NEW ARTIST

• Coi Leray
• Flo Milli
• Giveon
• Jack Harlow
• Latto
• Pooh Shiesty
• BEST GROUP
• 21 Savage & Metro Boomin
• Chloe x Halle
• Chris Brown & Young Thug
• City Girls
• Migos
• Silk Sonic

BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST

• Cardi B
• Coi Leray
• Doja Cat
• Megan Thee Stallion
• Latto
• Saweetie

BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST

• DaBaby
• Drake
• J. Cole
• Jack Harlow
• Lil Baby
• Pop Smoke

BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD

• “In Jesus Name” – Bebe Winans
• “Never Lost” – Cece Winans
• “Hold Us Together” – H.E.R.
• “Strong God” – Kirk Franklin
• “Thank You for It All” – Marvin Sapp
• “Touch From You” – Tamela Mann

BET HER AWARD

• “So Done” – Alicia Keys Ft. Khalid
• “Baby Mama” – Brandy feat. Chance the Rapper
• “Anti Queen” – Bri Steves
• “Baby Girl” – Chloe x Halle
• “Rooted” – Ciara feat. Ester Dean
• “Good Days” – SZA

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT

• Aya Nakamura (France)
• Burna Boy (Nigeria)
• Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
• Emicida (Brazil)
• Headie One (UK)
• Wizkid (Nigeria)
• Young T & Bugsey (UK)
• Youssoupha (France)

VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD

• “WAP” – Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion
• “Go Crazy” – Chris Brown & Young Thug
• “Rockstar” – DaBaby feat. Roddy Ricch
• “Popstar” – DJ Khaled feat. Drake
• “Laugh Now Cry Later” – Drake feat. Lil Durk
• “The Bigger Picture” – Lil Baby
• “Savage (Remix)” – Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé
• “Leave the Door Open” – Silk Sonic

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“Up” – Cardi B
“WAP” – Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion
“Do It” – Chloe x Halle
“Go Crazy” – Chris Brown & Young Thug
“Laugh Now Cry Later” – Drake feat. Lil Durk
“Leave the Door Open” – Silk Sonic

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Benny Boom
Bruno Mars and Florent Déchard
Cole Bennett
Colin Tilley
Dave Meyers
Hype Williams

BEST MOVIE
Coming 2 America
Judas and the Black Messiah
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
One Night in Miami…
Soul
The United States vs. Billie Holiday

BEST ACTRESS
Andra Day
Angela Bassett
Issa Rae
Jurnee Smollett
Viola Davis
Zendaya
BEST ACTOR
Aldis Hodge
Chadwick Boseman
Damson Idris
Daniel Kaluuya
Eddie Murphy
Lakeith Stanfield

YOUNGSTARS AWARD
Alex R. Hibbert
Ethan Hutchison
Lonnie Chavis
Marsai Martin
Michael Epps
Storm Reid

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
A’ja Wilson
Candace Parker
Claressa Shields
Naomi Osaka
Serena Williams
Skylar Diggins-Smith

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Kyrie Irving
LeBron James
Patrick Mahomes
Russell Westbrook
Russell Wilson
Stephen Curry

About this year’s BET Award

Connie Orlando, BET Executive Vice President of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy said in a statement that they look forward to celebrate black women during this year’s show.

“The BET Awards is the ultimate celebration of Black culture, and we look forward to spotlighting and celebrating Black women during this year’s show

“Recognizing them for everything that they have accomplished and applaud them for what’s to come.”

The post BET Awards 2021: Burna boy, Wizkid and Diamond Platnumz compete for honors appeared first on AFRICA EXPLAINED.

The governor gifted Burna Boy with the cash during an event to welcome him back home after winning at the Grammys on Saturday, March 28, 2021.

In a video shared via her Instagram page on Sunday, March 28, the reality TV star said BurnaBoy even deserved a public holiday in his honor for his achievement.

“You are mad, you are legit mad to think what Governor Wike did for Burna Boy yesterday was unnecessary. Y’all don’t know my state you all don’t freaking know my state. The nightlife is completely dead. For him to be like Burna come down lemme give you 10 million naira and you people are thinking that it is too much? You are crazy,” she said.

“Burna Boy should have the whole town he won a Grammy o, not some plastic award. He won a whole Grammy, that’s what Burna Boy won. He should even have a public holiday dedicated to him. Meanwhile, you are all here crying and lamenting. You are mad! You are all mad.”

Tacha’s video came barely 24 hours after Gov Wike announced in another viral video that he was gifting Burna Boy N10million alongside other musicians who performed at a homecoming party in Port Harcourt organised in his honour by Rivers State Governor.

Other reports also claimed the musician was also given a plot of land in the GRA of Port Harcourt to build for himself a home.

Gov Wike faced heavy criticism from those who argued giving an already wealthy artist N10 million amounted to a waste of government resources.

The post Tacha defends Gov Wike’s N10 million gift to BurnaBoy appeared first on AFRICA EXPLAINED.

In his congratulatory tweet, the singe also took a swipe at his country’s Music Industry amid reports of bad blood amongst local celebrities.

He wrote: “With All Due Respect Let All other African Nations Give It Up For Nigeria For their Constant efforts in Holding the Mantle for Africa when it comes to entertainment On The Global Scene. Congrats for holding it down at the Grammys.. As for Ghana , smh I’ll be back..”

With All Due Respect Let All other African Nations Give It Up For Nigeria 🇳🇬
For their Constant efforts in Holding the Mantle for Africa when it comes to entertainment On The Global Scene. Congrats for holding it down at the Grammys..
As for Ghana 🇬🇭, smh I'll be back..

— 1GAD (@stonebwoy) March 15, 2021

At the 63rd Grammy Awards held on Sunday, March 14, two Nigerian artists won at the prestigious event, marking a new chapter for Afrobeats.

Wizkid won a Grammy for his work on ‘Brown Skin Girl’ with Beyonce, Saint John and Blue Ivy.

Burna Boy on his part won in the New World Music category with his Twice as Tall album having been nominated nominated last year in the same category when he lost to Angelique Kidjo.

The post Other African Nations should give it up for Nigeria for holding it down at the Grammys – Ghanaian singer, Stonebwoy appeared first on AFRICA EXPLAINED.