BET Awards 2023: Nigerian Artists Take The Stage [See Complete Winners]

The BET Awards is an American award show established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television Network to celebrate black entertainers and other minorities in music, film, sports, and philanthropy.

As Afrobeat begins to spread across the US, the awards have grown to be a crucial forum for Nigerian music to acquire acclaim. The event this year featured outstanding performers, including Burna Boy, Tems, Wizkid, Asake, Ayra Starr, Libianca, and others who received nominations, along with Davido performing on the BET stage.

Highlights from this year’s awards

The BET Awards 2023 stage was lit up by Nigerian sensation Davido, whose breathtaking performance enthralled the crowd.

Entering the stage, Davido displayed his unmatched stage presence while captivating the audience with a performance of the best singles from his recent and famous “Timeless” album.

The crowd was on their feet, dancing and singing along to every rhythm as Davido’s captivating presence and explosive stage presence projected contagious energy throughout the whole auditorium.

His seamless execution of the tracks “Feel” and “Unavailable” demonstrated the years of hard work and dedication he has poured into perfecting his craft.

Davido received widespread acclaim on social media for his remarkable accomplishments and the outstanding talent he possesses.

In this moment of triumph, Davido proved once again why he stands among the elite artists in the global music landscape, leaving an indelible mark on the BET Awards stage.

It is worth noting that Davido follows in the footsteps of Afrobeat sensation Fireboy DML, who achieved the distinction of being the first artist from the genre to grace the BET Awards stage in 2022. The significance of these performances underscores the increasing global recognition of Afrobeat as a formidable cultural force.

Asake vs. Libianca: Who Deserved the BET Award?

Music lovers argued over who genuinely earned the Best New International Act Award during the BET Awards 2023, igniting a social media frenzy and intense debate.

The nominees, Asake and Libianca, showcased exceptional talent and made their mark on the global music scene.

While Libianca ultimately claimed the prestigious honour, many fervent supporters of Asake voiced their belief that he deserved more. Asake’s magnetic stage presence and chart-topping tracks have earned him a dedicated fanbase, while Libianca’s rise to prominence has been fueled by her chart-topping hit “People” and her efforts to put Cameroon’s musical prowess on the world map.

The clash of opinions underscores the subjectivity and passion that surround awards shows, where the question of who truly deserves recognition is a topic of passionate discussion.

Regardless of differing opinions, the BET Awards showcased the remarkable talents of both Asake and Libianca, further solidifying the growing influence of African artists on the international stage.

Burna Boy is named ‘Best International Act’ once again.

The BET Awards 2023 witnessed an unforgettable moment as Burna Boy, the Nigerian sensation, triumphantly reclaimed the title of Best International Act. This resounding victory marks Burna Boy’s third win in the category, solidifying his status as a true musical powerhouse.

Facing stiff competition from a talented pool of international artists, including Ayra Starr, Central Cee, Stormzy, and others, Burna Boy’s win resonated with thunderous applause, affirming his remarkable impact on the global music scene.

With his album ‘Love, Damini’ garnering worldwide acclaim in 2022, Burna Boy’s success story continues to unfold. His captivating blend of Afrobeat rhythms, thought-provoking lyrics, and unparalleled stage presence have captivated audiences across the globe. T

His latest accolade serves as a testament to Burna Boy’s unwavering dedication to his craft and the undeniable influence of Nigerian music on the international stage.

As the Nigerian sensation basks in his victory, his fans and supporters join him on this momentous victory lap. Burna Boy’s ability to consistently deliver music that transcends borders and cultures has cemented his place among the elite artists of our time.

With each achievement, Burna Boy showcases the power of artistry to unite and inspire, leaving an indelible mark on the BET Awards and the hearts of music lovers worldwide.

See the complete list of winners at the 2023 BET Awards:

ALBUM OF THE YEAR (*TIE!)
Anyways, Life’s Great, GloRilla
Breezy, Chris Brown
God Did, DJ Khaled
Her Loss, Drake & 21 Savage
Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, Kendrick Lamar
Renaissance, Beyoncé — **WINNER!
SOS, SZA — **WINNER!

BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST
Ari Lennox
Beyoncé
Coco Jones
H.E.R.
Lizzo
SZA — **WINNER!
Tems

BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST (*TIE!)
Blxst
Brent Faiyaz
Burna Boy
Chris Brown — **WINNER!
Drake
The Weeknd
Usher — **WINNER!

BEST GROUP
City Girls
Drake x 21 Savage — **WINNER!
Dvsn
FLO
Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin
Quavo & Takeoff
Wanmor

BEST COLLABORATION
“Big Energy (Remix),” Latto & Mariah Carey Feat. Dj Khaled
“Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2,” Pinkpantheress & Ice Spice
“Call Me Every Day,” Chris Brown Feat. Wizkid
“Can’t Stop Won’t Stop,” King Combs Feat. Kodak Black
“Creepin’,” Metro Boomin, The Weeknd & 21 Savage
“F.N.F. (Let’s Go),” Hitkidd & GloRilla
“Tomorrow 2,” GloRilla & Cardi B
“Wait For U,” Future Feat. Drake & Tems — **WINNER!

BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST
Cardi B
Coi Leray
GloRilla
Ice Spice
Latto — **WINNER!
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj

BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST
21 Savage
Drake
Future
J. Cole
Jack Harlow
Kendrick Lamar — **WINNER!
Lil Baby

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“We (Warm Embrace),” Chris Brown
“2 Million Up,” Peezy, Jeezy & Real Boston Richey feat. Rob49
“About Damn Time,” Lizzo
“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy
“First Class,” Harlow
“Kill Bill,” SZA — **WINNER!
“Tomorrow 2,” GloRilla & Cardi B

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
A$AP Rocky for AWGE
Benny Boom
Burna Boy
Cole Bennett
Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
Director X
Teyana “Spike Tey” Taylor — **WINNER!

BEST NEW ARTIST
Ambré
Coco Jones — **WINNER!
Doechii
FLO
GloRilla
Ice Spice
Lola Brooke

DR. BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
“Bless Me,” Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin — **WINNER!
“Finished (Live),” Tamela Mann
“I’ve Got Joy,” CeCe Winans
“Kingdom,” Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin feat. Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore
“New,” Tye Tribbett
“One Moment From Glory,” Yolanda Adams
“The Better Benediction (Pt.2),” PJ Morton feat. Lisa Knowles-Smith, Le’andria Johnson, Keke Wyatt, Kierra Sheard & Tasha Cobbs Leonard

VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD
“About Damn Time,” Lizzo
“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé — **WINNER!
“First Class,” Jack Harlow
“Jimmy Cooks,” Drake Feat 21 Savage
“Kill Bill,” SZA
“Last Last,” Burna Boy
“Super Freaky Girl,” Nicki Minaj
“Wait For U,” Future Feat. Drake & Tems

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
Aya Nakamura (France)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Burna Boy (Nigeria) — **WINNER!
Central Cee (UK)
Ella Mai (UK)
Ko (South Africa)
L7nnon (Brazil)
Stormzy (UK)
Tiakola (France)
Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)

VIEWER’S CHOICE: BEST NEW INTERNATIONAL ACT
Asake (Nigeria)
Camidoh (Ghana)
Flo (UK)
Libianca (Cameroon) — **WINNER!
Maureen (France)
MC Ryan SP (Brazil)
Pabi Cooper (South Africa)
Raye (UK)
Werenoi (France)

BET HER
“About Damn Time,” Lizzo
“Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2,” Pinkpantheress & Ice Spice
“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé — **WINNER!
“Her,” Megan Thee Stallion
“Lift Me Up,” Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From And Inspired By – Rihanna & Ludwig Göransson
“Players,” Coi Leray
“Special,” Lizzo

BEST MOVIE
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever — **WINNER!
Creed 3
Emancipation
Nope
The Woman King
Till
Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody

BEST ACTOR
Amin Joseph
Brian Tyree Henry
Damson Idris — **WINNER!
Daniel Kaluuya
Demetrius ‘Lil Meech’ Flenory Jr.
Donald Glover
Michael B. Jordan

BEST ACTRESS
Angela Bassett — **WINNER!
Coco Jones
Janelle James
Janelle Monáe
Keke Palmer
Viola Davis
Zendaya

YOUNGSTARS AWARD
Akira Akbar
Alaya High
Demi Singleton
Genesis Denise
Marsai Martin — **WINNER!
Thaddeus J. Mixson
Young Dylan

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Alexis Morris
Allyson Felix
Angel Reese — **WINNER!
Candace Parker
Naomi Osaka
Serena Williams
Sha’carri Richardson

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Aaron Judge
Bubba Wallace
Gervonta Davis
Jalen Hurts — **WINNER!
Lebron James
Patrick Mahomes
Stephen Curry