2022 BET Awards, a historic moment for Nigerian artists
The BET Awards were founded to celebrate African-American talent. It has since expanded in its 21 years to award artists of diverse backgrounds and ethnicities. One such expansion saw Nigerian artists make history at the 2022 BET Awards.
Since 2001, Black Entertainment Television, better known as BET has been celebrating Black American talent in sports and entertainment with the BET Awards. On June 26, the 2022 award show was hosted by Taraji P Henson at the Microsoft Theatre, Los Angeles, with performances by Lil Wayne, Chlöe, Muni Long, and more.
As the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for his achievements over the past three decades, Diddy was the most honored celebrant. At the same time, at the 2022 BET Awards, Nigerian entertainers made history and inspired pride among their countrymen.
Pheelz performs at the BET Awards pre-show
Phillip Kayode Moses, better known as Pheelz, ensnared the world into his stratosphere with his single, “Finesse” featuring Bnxn (formerly Buju). The single inspired the #FolakeChallenge on TikTok where creators use the the catchy pidgin lyric, “If I broke na my business,” to describe dire financial situations. The song’s music video has garnered over 25 million views and the TikTok challenge has resulted in 31 million views.
From Lagos to Los Angeles, Pheelz performing his hit record at the 2022 BET Awards pre-show is no small feat. Of his performance, Pheelz shared, “About to be the first international artist to perform at the BET pre-show. Yeah, I’m super gassed,” on Twitter.
Fireboy DML is the first afrobeats performer
Adedamola Adefolahan, aka Fireboy DML has risen to international stardom in what feels like the blink of an eye, but is truly a long calcultated journey. Signed to Nigerian rapper Olamide’s record lable, YBNL Nation, Fireboy DML debuted his first studio album, Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps in 2019.
Since then, 2021 record“Peru” and 2022 record, “Playboy” have made the world his oyster. Fireboy DML’s performance marks the first afrobeats performance in BET Award show history.
Tems wins Best International Act
Temilade Openiyi, known professionally as Tems made her music debut in 2020 with the release of For Broken Ears (EP). In the following year she signed to RCA Records and debuted her sophomore EP, If Orange Was a Place. Over the past two yeas, Tems has enchanted the world with her sultry voice and inspired songwriting.
Tems is well known for her collaborations with music industry powerhouses like Drake and Wizkid. In fact, it was her feature on Wizkid’s “Essence” single that earned her her first Grammy award nomination.
Nominees for 2022 “Best International Act” BET award included Fireboy (NG), Little Simz (UK), Major League Djz (SA), and more. In the past, fellow Nigerian acts like 2Baba, Burna Boy, and Wizkid. Tems’s win made her the first woman among her countrymen to take home the Best International Act award.
Wizkid wins Best Collaboration
It’s been over a decade since Wizkid sang “If you see me drive by holla at your boy”. Ever since his 2011 album debut, his career has leaped and bounded across international waters. With collaborations with Beyonce, Drake, Dua Lipa, Skepta and more, Wizkid is an undeniable household name.
In 2020, while the world was still locked down due to COVID-19, Wizkid debuted “Essence” featuring Tems. On its release and as the world began to re-open, the single made history as the first Nigerian song to breach the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Global 200. In 2021, the single was remixed to include Justin Beiber, making it eligible for consideration for the “Best Collaboration” category at the 2022 BET Awards.
In Wizkid winning this award, it also marked a secondary win for Tems.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
Album of the Year
Back of My Mind, H.E.R.
Call Me If You Get Lost, Tyler, The Creator
Certified Lover Boy, Drake
Donda, Kanye West
Heaux Tales, Mo' Tales: The Deluxe, Jazmine Sullivan
Planet Her, Doja Cat
WINNER: An Evening With Silk Sonic, Silk Sonic
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Ari Lennox
Chlöe
Doja Cat
H.E.R
Mary J. Blige
Summer Walker
WINNER: Jazmine Sullivan
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Blxst
Chris Brown
Givēon
Lucky Daye
Wizkid
Yung Bleu
WINNER: The Weeknd
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi B
Doja Cat
Latto
Nicki Minaj
Saweetie
WINNER: Megan Thee Stallion
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Drake
Future
J. Cole
Jack Harlow
Kanye West
Lil Baby
WINNER: Kendrick Lamar
Best Group
Chlöe X Halle
City Girls
Lil Baby & Lil Durk
Migos
Young Dolph & Key Glock
WINNER: Silk Sonic
Best Collaboration
"Every Chance I Get," DJ Khaled Feat. Lil Baby & Lil Durk
"Family Ties," Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar
"Kiss Me More," Doja Cat Feat. SZA
"Way 2 Sexy," Drake Feat. Future & Young Thug
"Whole Lotta Money" (Remix), Bia Feat. Nicki Minaj
WINNER: "Essence," Wizkid Feat. Justin Bieber & Tems
Best New Artist
Baby Keem
Benny the Butcher
Muni Long
Tems
Yung Bleu
WINNER: Latto
Video of the Year
"Have Mercy," Chlöe
"Kiss Me More," Doja Cat Feat. SZA
"Pressure," Ari Lennox
"Smokin Out the Window," Silk Sonic
"Way 2 Sexy," Drake Feat. Future & Young Thug
WINNER: "Family Ties," Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar
Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Beyoncé & Dikayl Rimmasch
Director X
Hype Williams
Missy Elliott
WINNER: Anderson .Paak a.k.a. Director .Paak
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
"All in Your Hands," Marvin Sapp
"Come to Life," Kanye West
"Grace," Kelly Price
"Hallelujah," Fred Hammond
"Hold Us Together (Hope Mix)," H.E.R. & Tauren Wells
"Jireh," Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music
WINNER: "We Win," Lil Baby X Kirk Franklin
BET Her
"Best of Me (Originals)," Alicia Keys
"Have Mercy," Chlöe
"Pressure," Ari Lennox
"Roster," Jazmine Sullivan
"Unloyal," Summer Walker & Ari Lennox
"Woman," Doja Cat
WINNER: "Good Morning Gorgeous," Mary J. Blige
Best International Act
Dave (U.K.)
Dinos (France)
Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Fireboy DML (Nigeria)
Little Simz (U.K.)
Ludmilla (Brazil)
Major League Djz (South Africa)
Tayc (France)
WINNER: Tems (Nigeria)
Best Movie
Candyman
Respect
Space Jam: A New Legacy
Summer of Soul
The Harder They Fall
WINNER: King Richard
Best Actor
Adrian Holmes, Bel Air
Anthony Anderson, Black-Ish
Damson Idris, Snowfall
Denzel Washington, The Tragedy of Macbeth
Forest Whitaker, Respect | Godfather of Harlem
Jabari Banks, Bel Air
Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us
WINNER: Will Smith, King Richard
Best Actress
Aunjanue Ellis, King Richard
Coco Jones, Bel Air
Issa Rae, Insecure
Jennifer Hudson, Respect
Mary J. Blige, Power Book II: Ghost
Queen Latifah, The Equalizer
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Regina King, The Harder They Fall
WINNER: Zendaya, Euphoria | Spider-Man: No Way Home
YoungStars Award
Akira Akbar
Demi Singleton
Miles Brown
Saniyya Sidney
Storm Reid
WINNER: Marsai Martin
Sportswoman of the Year Award
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Serena Williams
Sha'carri Richardson
Simone Biles
WINNER: Naomi Osaka
Sportsman of the Year Award
Aaron Donald
Bubba Wallace
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Ja Morant
LeBron James
WINNER: Stephen Curry
Lifetime Achievement Award
Sean "Diddy" Combs