FIVE Nigerian musicians have been nominated for the 2023 edition of the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards.

Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tems, Ayra Starr and Asake were nominated for awards in different categories.

The prestigious BET Awards is dedicated to honouring excellence in black entertainment and will take place at the iconic Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, United States, on Sunday, June 25.

This year’s edition of the awards promises a vibrant showcase of talent from around the world, and special spotlight will be on Nigerian stars who have garnered immense attention in major categories.

Leading the Nigerian contingent with an impressive four nominations is Burna Boy, an artist who has achieved tremendous international acclaim and secured numerous national and international accolades in recent times.

The Grammy Award winner was nominated for Best International Act, Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, Video Director of the Year, and Viewers’ Choice, showcasing his versatility and widespread appeal.

Tems received nominations in three categories – Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Best Collaboration and Viewers’ Choice.

Wizkid, the recipient of the ‘Best Collaboration’ award in 2022, has once again been nominated in the same category for the track ‘Call Me Everyday,’ featuring Chris Brown.

Ayra Starr and Asake are both celebrating their debut BET Awards nominations. Ayra Starr was nominated in the Best International Act category while Asake made the shortlist in the Viewers’ Choice: Best New International Act category.

Over the past few years, Nigerian music has garnered widespread international acclaim, and the nominations for the BET Awards serve as a testament to the immense talent and dedication of the country’s artists.

Previous Nigerian Winners of BET Awards

2Baba (formerly known as 2face Idibia) – Best African Act: Africa (2011)

D’banj – Best African Act: Africa (2011)

Ice Prince – Best International Act: Africa (2013)

Davido – Best International Act: Africa (2014)

Wizkid – Best International Act: Africa (2012, 2017)

Burna Boy – Best International Act: Africa (2019, 2020 and 2021)

Full list of the 2023 BET Awards nominations

Album of the Year:

“Anyways, Life’s Great” – GloRilla

“Breezy” – Chris Brown

“God Did” – DJ Khaled

“Her Loss” – Drake & 21 Savage

“Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers”- Kendrick Lamar

“Renaissance” – Beyoncé

“SOS” – Sza

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist:

Ari Lennox

Beyoncé

Coco Jones

H.E.R.

Lizzo

Sza

Tems

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist:

Blxst

Brent Faiyaz

Burna Boy

Chris Brown

Drake

The Weeknd

Usher

Best Group:

City Girls

Drake & 21 Savage

Dvsn

Flo

Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin

Quavo & Takeoff

Wanmor

Best Collaboration:

“Big Energy” (remix) – Latto & Mariah Carey feat. DJ Khaled

“Boy’s A lLar Pt. 2” – Pinkpantheress & Ice Spice

“Call Me Every Day” – Chris Brown feat. Wizkid

“Can’t Stop Won’t Stop”- King Combs feat. Kodak Black

“Creepin’” – Metro Boomin, The Weeknd & 21 Savage

“F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” – Hitkidd & GloRilla

“Tomorrow 2” – GloRilla & Cardi B

“Wait For U” – Future feat. Drake & Tems

Best Female Hip Hop Artist:

Cardi B

Coi Leray

GloRilla

Ice Spice

Latto

Megan Thee Stallion

Nicki Minaj

Best Male Hip Hop Artist:

21 Savage

Drake

Future

J. Cole

Jack Harlow

Kendrick Lamar

Lil Baby

Video of the Year:

“We (Warm Embrace)” – Chris Brown

“2 Million Up” – Peezy, Jeezy & Real Boston Richey feat. Rob49

“About Damn Time” – Lizzo

“Bad Habit” – Steve Lacy

“First Class” – Jack Harlow

“Kill Bill” – Sza

“Tomorrow 2” – GloRilla & Cardi B

Video Director of the Year:

A$AP Rocky for Awge

Benny Boom

Burna Boy

Cole Bennett

Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar

Director X

Teyana “Spike Tey” Taylor

Best New Artist:

Ambré

Coco Jones

Doechii

Flo

GloRilla

Ice Spice

Lola Brooke

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award:

“Bless Me” – Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin

“Finished (Live)” – Tamela Mann

“I’ve Got Joy” – Cece Winans

“Kingdom” – Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin feat. Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore

“New” – Tye Tribbett

“One Moment From Glory” – Yolanda Adams

“The Better Benediction (Pt.2)” – PJ Morton feat. Lisa Knowles-Smith, Le’Andria Johnson, Keke Wyatt, Kierra Sheard & Tasha Cobbs Leonard

Viewer’s Choice Award:

“About Damn Time” – Lizzo

“Break My Soul” – Beyoncé

“First Class” – Jack Harlow

“Jimmy Cooks” – Drake feat. 21 Savage

“Kill Bill” – Sza

“Last Last” – Burna Boy

“Super Freaky Girl” – Nicki Minaj

“Wait For U” – Future feat. Drake & Tems

Best International Act:

Aya Nakamura (France)

Ayra Starr (Nigeria)

Burna Boy (Nigeria)

Central Cee (UK)

Ella Mai (UK)

K.O (South Africa)

L7nnon (Brazil)

Stormzy (UK)

Tiakola (France)

Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)

Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act:

Asake (Nigeria)

Camidoh (Ghana)

Flo (UK)

Libianca (Cameroon)

Maureen (France)

MC Ryan SP (Brazil)

Pabi Cooper (South Africa)

Raye (UK)

Werenoi (France)

BET Her:

“About Damn Time” – Lizzo

“Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2” – Pinkpantheress & Ice Spice

“Break My Soul” – Beyoncé

“Her” – Megan Thee Stallion

“Lift Me Up” from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” – Rihanna & Ludwig Göransson

“Players” – Coi Leray

“Special” – Lizzo

Best Movie:

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

“Creed 3”

“Emancipation”

“Nope”

“The Woman King”

“Till”

“Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody”

Best Actor:

Amin Joseph

Brian Tyree Henry

Damson Idris

Daniel Kaluuya

Demetrius ‘Lil Meech’ Flenory Jr.

Donald Glover

Michael B. Jordan

Best Actress:

Angela Bassett

Coco Jones

Janelle James

Janelle Monáe

Keke Palmer

Viola Davis

Zendaya

YoungStars Award:

Akira Akbar

Alaya High

Demi Singleton

Genesis Denise

Marsai Martin

Thaddeus J. Mixson

Young Dylan

Sportswoman of the Year Award:

Alexis Morris

Allyson Felix

Angel Reese

Candace Parker

Naomi Osaka

Serena Williams

Sha’Carri Richardson

Sportsman of the Year Award:

Aaron Judge

Bubba Wallace

Gervonta Davis

Jalen Hurts

LeBron James

Patrick Mahomes

Stephen Curry