Nigerian musical exports Davido and Tiwa Savage have bagged their first ever BET Awards nominations as they vie for this year’s ‘International Act Africa’ award as Ugandans missed out. The Nigerian artistes compete with three other African acts nominated in the category – South Africa’s Mafikizolo, Ghana’s Sarkodie, Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz and Togo’s Toofan. Tiwa Savage had a fantastic run in 2013, releasing her debut album ‘Once Upon a Time’ while Davido kept the charts burning with hit singles ‘Gobe’ and the infectious ‘Skelewu’.
Last year, Ice Prince and 2face Idibia were nominated for the awards with the latter walking away with the prize. The toughest category at the awards will have to be ‘Best Male R&B/Pop Artist’ which sees Pharell Williams, Justin Timberlake, John Legend, Chris Brown and newbie August Alsina slugging it out.
The awards will take place on Sunday, June 29, 2014 at the Nokia Theatre L.A., Los Angeles. The show will premiere on BET International in Africa on 1 July. Check out the complete list of nominees below.
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
Janelle Monáe
Jhené Aiko
K. Michelle
Rihanna
Tamar Braxton
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
August Alsina
Chris Brown
John Legend
Justin Timberlake
Pharrell Williams
Best Group
A$AP Mob
Daft Punk
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
TGT
Young Money
Best Collaboration
August Alsina f/ Trinidad Jame$ – ‘I Luv This’
Beyoncé f/ Jay Z – ‘Drunk in Love’
Drake f/ Majid Jordan – ‘Hold on (We’re Going Home)’
Jay Z f/ Justin Timberlake – ‘Holy Grail’
Robin Thicke f/ T.I. & Pharrell Williams – ‘Blurred Lines’
YG f/ Jeezy & Rich Homie Quan – ‘My Hitta’
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Drake
Future
J. Cole
Jay Z
Kendrick Lamar
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Angel Haze
Charli Baltimore
Eve
Iggy Azalea
Nicki Minaj
Video of the Year
Beyoncé – ‘Partition’
Beyoncé f/ Jay Z – ‘Drunk in Love’
Chris Brown – ‘Fine China’
Drake – ‘Worst Behaviour’
Pharrell Williams – ‘Happy’
Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Chris Brown
Colin Tilley
Director X
Hype Williams
Best New Artist
Ariana Grande
August Alsina
Mack Wilds
Rich Homie Quan
ScHoolboy Q
Best Gospel Artist
Donnie McClurkin
Erica Campbell
Hezekiah Walker
Tamela Mann
Tye Tribbett
Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington
Lupita Nyong’o
Oprah Winfrey
Best Actor
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Forest Whitaker
Idris Elba
Kevin Hart
Michael B. Jordan
YoungStars Award
Gabrielle Douglas
Jacob Latimore
Jaden Smith
KeKe Palmer
Zendaya
Best Movie
12 Years a Slave
The Best Man Holiday
Fruitvale Station
Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain
Lee Daniels’ The Butler
Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Brittney Griner
Lolo Jones
Serena Williams
Skylar Diggins
Venus Williams
Subway Sportsman of the Year
Blake Griffin
Carmelo Anthony
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Kevin Durant
LeBron James
Centric Award
Aloe Blacc – ‘The Man’
Jennifer Hudson f/ T.I. – ‘I Can’t Describe (The Way I Feel)’
Jhené Aiko – ‘The Worst’
LiV Warfield – ‘Why Do You Lie?’
Wale f/ Sam Dew – ‘LoveHate Thing’
Best International Act: Africa
Davido (Nigeria)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Mafikizolo (South Africa)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
Toofan (Togo)
Best International Act: UK
Dizzee Rascal
Ghetts
Krept & Konan
Laura Mvula
Rita Ora
Tinie Tempah
Credit: NGNews