The recently concluded 2023 BET Awards, held over the weekend, continues to generate significant buzz and discussion. Among the standout artistes from the African continent, Burna Boy and Tems are receiving accolades for their remarkable contributions.
The awards, which honor the year’s best performances in music, TV, film and sports, were handed out during a live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. This year’s event celebrated 50 years of Hip Hop, with Busta Rhymes receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Burna Boy took home hardware for Best International Act at the BET Awards 2023, making him the first artiste to win that category four times; 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023.
The Nigerian singer was not present at the show, but he’s had an amazing last couple of years. His 2022 album Love, Damini was a worldwide success.
Other nominees in the category included Aya Nakamura, Ayra Starr, Central Cee, Ella Mai, K.O, L7nnon, Stormzy, Tiakola and Uncle Waffles.
Tems received an award in the Best Collaboration category for her contribution on the Grammy award-winning song, Wait For U with Future and Drake.
Patti LaBelle also hit the stage to pay tribute to Tina Turner, but seemingly forgot the words of “Simply the Best.”
SZA also won tonight for best Female R&B/Pop Artist and for Video of the Year for “Kill Bill,” while Beyonce’s “Break My Soul” won both the Viewers Choice Award and the BET Her Award.
There was another tie tonight, with Chris Brown and Usher sharing the Male R&B/Pop Artist honor.
In film, Disney/Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever won Best Movie, while the pic’s Angela Bassett won Best Actress. Damson Idris won the Best Actor honor.
Drake scored a pair of wins tonight after he and GloRilla came in with the most nominations overall with seven apiece.
Some of the highlights of the night included Offset and Quavo reuniting to pay homage to the late Migos member Takeoff. Muni Long also took time to acknowledge the importance of writers amid the WGA strike.
Below is the full list of winners:
2023 BET Awards Winners List
ALBUM OF THE YEAR (TIE)
SOS – SZA
RENAISSANCE – Beyoncé
BEST COLLABORATION
WAIT FOR U – Future feat. Drake & Tems
BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST
SZA
BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST (TIE)
Chris Brown
Usher
BEST NEW ARTIST
Coco Jones
BEST GROUP
Drake x 21 Savage
BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST
Latto
BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST
Kendrick Lamar
DR. BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
Bless Me – Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin
BET HER AWARD
Break My Soul – Beyoncé
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Kill Bill – SZA
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Teyana “Spike Tey” Taylor
BEST MOVIE
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
BEST ACTRESS
Angela Bassett
BEST ACTOR
Damson Idris
YOUNGSTARS AWARD
Marsai Martin
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Angel Reese
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
Jalen Hurts
VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD
Break My Soul – Beyoncé
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
Burna Boy
