The Best International Act nominees for the BET awards were finally announced last week. Five out of the eleven nominees are African artists. Artists like Cassper Nyovest, Fally Ipupa, Tiwa Savage, Davido and Distruction Boyz are all being recognized on a global stage.
Cassper Nyovest (born Refiloe Malele Phodo), 27, is a South African artist signed to Family Tree. Family Tree is his own independent label and media company. When the “Push Through The Pain” artist heard of his nomination he tweeted, “I’m very honoured to be nominated. I was mad as hell when I wasn’t nominated last year, but we carry on working, and I’m here.”
Cassper is the only hip hop artist nominated for the Best International Act award.
Fally Ipupa, 40, is a DR Congolese singer, dancer and producer among other things. His album Tokoos was released last year. Fally was also nominated for Best International Act in 2011 and 2015.
Nigerian artist Tiwa Savage (born Tiwatope Savage Balogun), 38, is receiving her second BET nomination this year. She recently connected with American artist Omarion on the “Get it Now Remix.” Tiwa is the only woman nominated for this category.
Former 2014 Best International Act: Africa Winner Davido is nominated once again. The Nigerian singer and record producer just gave us a new collaboration called “Way Too Fly” featuring Boogie Wit da Hoodie.
One of the biggest gqom duos in South Africa right now, Distruction Boyz, is also nominated for Best International Act. They created super-catchy dance hits like “Omunye.” This is their first BET award nomination.
Good luck to all the nominees!
