Tems emerged as the sole Nigerian winner at this year’s BET Awards, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday night.
She clinched the Dr Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award for her song “Me & U,” triumphing over esteemed competitors such as Kirk Franklin, Shirley Caesar, and Maverick City.
Ayra Starr and Asake, fellow Nigerian artists, were not as fortunate, missing out on the Best International Act award to South Africa’s Tyla. Additionally, Ayra Starr lost in the categories of Best New Artist to Tyla and BET Her to Victoria Monét.
Seyi Vibez also faced disappointment, losing the Best New International Act award to South Africa’s Makhadzi.
Burna Boy, another prominent Nigerian artist, fell short in his categories, losing Best Male R&B/Pop Artist to Usher and Best Hip-hop Artist to Kendrick Lamar.
For the complete list of winners, refer to the following:
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
- Chris Brown
- Drake
- Fridayy
- Brent Faiyaz
- Bryson Tiller
- Usher (WINNER)
- Burna Boy
- October London
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
- Doja Cat
- H.E.R.
- Muni Long
- SZA (WINNER)
- Beyoncé
- Coco Jones
- Tyla
- Victoria Monét
Best Group
- 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne
- 41
- Flo
- ¥$, Ye, Ty Dolla $ign (WINNER)
- Maverick City Music
- Blxst & Bino Rideaux
- City Girls
- Wanmor
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
- Drake
- Future
- Kendrick Lamar (WINNER)
- 21 Savage
- Burna Boy
- Gunna
- J. Cole
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
- Nicki Minaj (WINNER)
- Cardi B
- Doja Cat
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Sexyy Red
- GloRilla
- Ice Spice
- Latto
Best New Artist
- 4Batz
- Ayra Starr
- 41
- Bossman Dlow
- Sexyy Red
- Tyla (WINNER)
- Fridayy
- October London
Album of the Year
- Drake, For All the Dogs (Scary Hours Edition)
- 21 Savage, American Dream
- Usher, Coming Home
- Victoria Monét, Jaguar II
- Killer Mike, Michael (WINNER)
- Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday 2
- Chris Brown, 11:11
- Gunna, A Gift & A Curse
Best Collaboration
- Lil Durk feat. J. Cole, “All My Life” (WINNER)
- Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice (With Aqua), “Barbie World”
- Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion, “Bongos”
- ¥$, Ye, Ty Dolla $ign feat. Rich The Kid, Playboi Carti, “Carnival”
- Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA, “Rich Baby Daddy”
- Lola Brooke feat. Latto & Yung Miami, “Don’t Play With It (Remix)”
- Nicki Minaj feat. Lil Uzi Vert, “Everybody”
- Beyoncé feat. Kendrick Lamar, “America Has a Problem (Remix)”
- Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage, “Good Good”
Video of the Year
- Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice (With Aqua), “Barbie World”
- Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion, “Bongos”
- Drake feat. J. Cole, “First Person Shooter”
- Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA, “Rich Baby Daddy”
- Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage, “Good Good”
- Victoria Monét, “On My Mama” (WINNER)
- Doja Cat, “Agora Hills”
- Lil Durk feat J. Cole, “All My Life”
Video Director of the Year
- Benny Boom
- Child.
- Offset
- Tems
- Tyler, The Creator
- Cole Bennett (WINNER)
- Dave Meyers
- Janelle Monáe & Alan Ferguson
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
- Shirley Caesar, “Award All of the Glory”
- Kirk Franklin, “All Things”
- Tems, “Me & U” (WINNER)
- Kirk Franklin, “Try Love”
- Erica Campbell, “Do You Believe in Love?”
- Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore, “God Problems”
- Halle Bailey, “Angel”
- CeCe Winans, “Come Jesus Come”
Viewer’s Choice Award
- Doja Cat, “Agora Hills”
- Lil Durk feat. J. Cole, “All My Life”
- Muni Long, “Made for Me”
- Victoria Monét, “On My Mama”
- Beyoncé, “Texas Hold ’Em” (WINNER)
- Tyla, “Water”
- Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA, “Rich Baby Daddy”
- Chris Brown feat. Davido & Lojay, “Sensational”
- Gunna, “Fukumean”
- Jack Harlow, “Lovin on Me”
Best International Act
- Ayra Starr (Africa)
- Bk’ (Brazil)
- Asake (Africa)
- Aya Nakamura (France)
- Karol Conká (Brazil)
- Raye (UK)
- Tiakola (France)
- Tyla (Africa)
- Cleo Sol (UK)
- Focalistic (Africa)
Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act
- Duquesa (Brazil)
- Holly G (France)
- Jungeli (France)
- Makhadzi (Africa) (WINNER)
- Oruam (Brazil)
- Bellah (UK)
- Cristale (UK)
- Seyi Vibez (Africa)
- Tyler Icu (Africa)
BET Her
- Megan Thee Stallion, “Hiss”
- Victoria Monét, “On My Mama” (WINNER)
- Beyoncé, “16 Carriages”
- Nicki Minaj feat. Tasha Cobbs Leonard, “Blessings”
- SZA, “Saturn”
- GloRilla, “Yeah Glo!”
- Ayra Starr, “Commas”
- Flo feat. Missy Elliott, “Fly Girl”
