Wizkid, Yemi Alade, others up for BET Award

Finally, BET Africa, part of Viacom’s African multimedia entertainment portfolio, has announced the nominations for the 2016 BET Awards taking place at Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, California, on Sunday 26 June, and premiering across Africa on BET (DStv channel 129) on Tuesday, June 28, at 7pm.

Recognising the growing international appeal of African contemporary artists, eight African artistes have been honoured in the BET Awards. Leading the charge for South African music are hip hop giants AKA and Cassper Nyovest and dance/house legend Black Coffee, while Nigeria is represented by Wizkid (winner of the award in 2012) and Afro-pop diva, Yemi Alade.  East African sensation Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), Ghana’s dancehall/R&B queen Mzvee and Cote D’Ivoire’s Coupé Decalé star Serge Beynaud round out the nominees for Africa.

Drake leads the list of entertainers nominated at this year’s awards with an impressive nine nominations including Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Video of Year and Best Collaboration for his hit Where Ya At with fellow hip hop artist Future. Beyoncé and Rihanna follow with five nods each with Beyoncé scoring nominations in Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Video of the Year, and Best Collaboration for Feeling Myself with Nicki Minaj.

Rihanna is in the running for awards including Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Video of the Year and Best Collaboration for Work featuring Drake. Other nominees include newcomer Bryson Tiller who is up for four awards including Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, while Chris Brown is also nominated in four categories including Best Male R&B/Pop Artist and Video Director of the Year. Future could also walk away with four awards, including one for “Best Male Hip Hop Artist.