Burna Boy, Sho Madjozi, Innoss’ B, Rema & Sha Sha lead African nominations at 2020 BET Awards

BET announced the nominees for the 2020 BET Awards on Wednesday and rapper Drake came out tops, leading the pack with six nominations. 

According to the channel, this year’s nominees reflect an abundance of creative expression and black excellence across music, television, film, sports, and philanthropy. 

The BET Awards 2020 will simulcast live at 2am CAT on June 29th – making its international broadcast premiere on BET Africa (DStv Channel 129). 

The BET Awards Pre-Show will repeat later that day at 7pm CAT with the main awards show to follow an hour later. 

Once again, some of the biggest names in African music have been named in the Best International Act and Viewers’ Choice Best New International Act categories. 

This year, unstoppable Nigerian act Burna Boy, South African superstar Sho Madjozi and Congolese singer-songwriter Innoss’B have been nominated in the Best International Act category. 

Rounding up the list of African nominees are Nigerian singer and rapper Rema and Zimbabwean songstress Sha Sha who have been nominated in the Viewers Choice Best New International Act category.

Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and General Manager of ViacomCBS Networks Africa commented: “We are excited to celebrate 20 years of black excellence at the BET Awards during these unprecedented times. The International Act categories over the years have honoured some of the most talented musicians in Africa. This continues at this year’s awards with multiple artists nominated from across the continent which is a testament to our commitment to shine a light on our own. We wish all our international  nominees the best in this recognition on a global stage.”

Drake returns to the top spot securing six nods, including ‘Best Male Hip Hop Artist,’ ‘Video of the Year,’ and two nods for both ‘Best Collaboration’ and ‘Viewer’s Choice’ for his features alongside Chris Brown (No Guidance) and Future (Life Is Good). 

 Newcomers Megan Thee Stallion and Roddy Ricch garnered the second most nods with five nominations each. 

Megan Thee Stallion nominations include ‘Best Female Hip Hop,’ ‘Best Collaboration,’ ‘Video of the Year,’ ‘Album of the Year,’ and ‘Viewer’s Choice Award’.

Roddy Ricch’s nods include ‘Best Male Hip Hop,’ ‘Video of the Year,’ ‘Best New Artist,’ ‘Album of the Year,’ and ‘Viewer’s Choice Award’.

Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, Lizzo, and DaBaby are the third-highest with four nominations each.

In their twentieth year, the BET Awards continue their reign as the ultimate platform to showcase the best and most beautiful aspects of the Black experience – celebrating Black music’s present and future, and elevating the culture and being a driving force for social change. 

BET recognizes artists, entertainers, and athletes across 21 categories with these nominations. 

The nominations are selected by BET’s Voting Academy, which is composed of fans and an esteemed group of entertainment professionals in the fields of television, film, music, social media, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations, and creative arts.

The complete list of nominees for The 2020 BET Awards are:

Best International Act

• Burna Boy (Nigeria)
• Innoss’b (Drc)
• Sho Madjozi (S. Africa)
• Dave (U.K.)
• Stormzy (U.K.)
• Ninho (France)
• S.Pri Noir (France)

Viewers’ Choice: Best New International Act

• Rema (Nigeria)
• Sha Sha (Zimbabwe)
• Celeste (U.K.)
• Young T & Bugsey (U.K.)
• Hatik (France)
• Stacy (France)

 Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

• Beyoncé
• H.E.R.
• Jhene Aiko
• Kehlani
• Lizzo
• Summer Walker

 Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

• Anderson .Paak
• Chris Brown
• Jacquees
• Khalid
• The Weeknd
• Usher

 Best Group

• Chloe X Halle
• City Girls
• Earthgang
• Griselda
• Jackboys
• Migos

 Best Collaboration

• Chris Brown Ft. Drake – No Guidance
• Dj Khaled Ft. Nipsey Hussle & John Legend – Higher
• Future Ft. Drake – Life Is Good       
• H.E.R. Ft. Yg – Slide
• Megan Thee Stallion Ft. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $Ign – Hot Girl Summer
• Wale Ft. Jeremih – On Chill

 Best Male Hip Hop Artist

• Dababy
• Drake
• Future
• Lil Baby
• Roddy Ricch
• Travis Scott

 Best Female Hip Hop Artist

• Cardi B
• Doja Cat
• Lizzo
• Megan Thee Stallion
• Nicki Minaj
• Saweetie

Video Of The Year

• Chris Brown Ft. Drake – No Guidance
• Dababy – Bop
• Dj Khaled Ft. Nipsey Hussle & John Legend – Higher
• Doja Cat – Say So
• Megan Thee Stallion Ft. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $Ign – Hot Girl Summer
• Roddy Ricch – The Box

 Video Director Of The Year

• Benny Boom
• Cole Bennett
• Dave Meyers
• Director X
• Eif Rivera
• Teyana “Spike Tee” Taylor

 Best New Artist

• Danileigh
• Lil Nas X
• Pop Smoke
• Roddy Ricch
• Summer Walker
• Ybn Cordae

 Album Of The Year

• ‘Cuz I Love You’ – Lizzo
• ‘Fever’ – Megan Thee Stallion
• ‘Homecoming: The Live Album’ – Beyoncé
• ‘I Used To Know Her’ – H.E.R.
• ‘Kirk’ – Dababy
• ‘Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial’ – Roddy Ricch

 Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award

• Fred Hammond – Alright
• John P. Kee Ft. Zacardi Cortez – I Made It Out
• Kanye West – Follow God
• Kirk Franklin – Just For Me
• Pj Morton Ft. Le’andria Johnson & Mary Mary – All In His Plan
• The Clark Sisters – Victory

 Best Actress

• Angela Bassett
• Cynthia Erivo
• Issa Rae
• Regina King
• Tracee Ellis Ross
• Zendaya

 Best Actor

• Billy Porter
• Eddie Murphy
• Forest Whitaker
• Jamie Foxx
• Michael B. Jordan
• Omari Hardwick

 Youngstars Award

• Alex Hibbert
• Asante Blackk
• Jahi Di’allo Winston
• Marsai Martin
• Miles Brown
• Storm Reid

Best Movie

• Bad Boys For Life
• Dolemite Is My Name
• Harriet
• Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé
• Just Mercy
• Queen & Slim

 Sportswoman Of The Year

• Ajeé Wilson
• Claressa Shields
• Coco Gauff
• Naomi Osaka
• Serena Williams
• Simone Biles

 Sportsman Of The Year

• Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Kawhi Leonard
• Lebron James
• Odell Beckham Jr.
• Patrick Mahomes Ii
• Stephen Curry

 Bet HER Award

• Alicia Keys – Underdog
• Beyoncé Ft. Blue Ivy Carter, Wizkid & Saint Jhn – Brown Skin Girl
• Ciara Ft. Lupita Nyong’o, Ester Dean, City Girls & La La – Melanin    
• Layton Greene – Choose  
• Lizzo Ft. Missy Elliot – Tempo         
• Rapsody Ft. Pj Morton – Afeni

 Viewer’s Choice Award

• Chris Brown Ft. Drake – No Guidance
• Dababy – Bop
• Future Ft. Drake – Life Is Good
• Megan Thee Stallion Ft. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $Ign – Hot Girl Summer
• Roddy Ricch – The Box
• The Weeknd – Heartless

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