The Black Entertainment Television Awards have been around since 2001, but the Best International Act: Africa category was only added in 2011 and has since become one of the main focuses of the show, both on the continent and abroad. Here are some past winners.
2011: D’Banj, 2face Idibia (Nigeria)
This was the year to celebrate Afropop. While 2face Idibia is something of a godfather in the genre, D’Banj has emerged as its king.
As the first recipients of the award, these two certainly set the bar high and established Nigeria as a serious global music-making nation.
Since winning, the careers of both artists have only become bigger and better, spawning a string of new hits, endorsement deals and international collaborations.
2012: Sarkodie (Ghana), Wizkid (Nigeria)
In its sophomore year, the award stayed in west African territory. One of the awards went to Hiplife artist Sarkodie, whose blend of hip-hop and classic west African highlife music made him stand out.
The other went to the supremely popular Wizkid, whose career took off quickly and continues to rise.
Both artists are nominated in this year’s awards, and despite having lost in the years following their win, there is no doubt they are still serious contenders.
2013: Ice Prince (Nigeria)
Yet again the award went to a Nigerian artist – this time Ice Prince. The hip-hop heart-throb became the first artist to win all on his own, despite previous winners like Wizkid cracking the nomination list again.
He is most widely known for his electric track Oleku, which stands out as being one of the most remixed Nigerian tracks of all time.
Considering he has been rapping since his days at school, this was the culmination of an incredible amount of hard work.
2014: Davido (Nigeria)
Already holding a slew of other accolades, including two MTV Africa Music Awards and a Channel O Africa Music Video Award, Davido added a BET to his trophy case last year.
His success is largely attributed to his versatility and performing chops, but he is also a producer who’s worked with top artists, including Tiwa Savage.
Despite having grown up in the US, he is identified with his career in Nigeria and the way he blends global and African influences.
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