Nairobi, Kenya | NOW THEN DIGITAL — The U.S. based NAACP Image Awards announced its 55th edition winners, with Nigerian singer Tems emerging victorious in the Outstanding International Song category.
Tems secured this honor during a virtual show on Tuesday, outperforming fellow Nigerian Afrobeats artists Burna Boy, Asake, Davido, and Cameroonian star Libianca. Her award-winning song ‘Me &U’ dropped in October through RCA Records. Just days prior, Tems received the Breakthrough Award at the Billboard Women in Music event held on March 6th in the U.S. However, she lost the NAACP’s Outstanding Female Act title to R&B artist H.E.R.
Meanwhile, Davido and Lojay won Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary) for their contributions on U.S. singer Chris Brown’s track ‘Sensational’.
More NAACP winners will be unveiled today in non-televised categories on the official website. The awards dinner and show are scheduled for March 14th, followed by a fashion showcase the next day. Veteran hip hop act and actress Queen Latifah will host the live televised 55th NAACP Image Awards on BET and CBS on March 16th.
Despite being the continent’s most nominated artist this year, Burna Boy missed out on Outstanding Male Artist to Usher, Outstanding Album to Victoria Monét’s Jaguar II, and Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song to Megan Thee Stallion’s ‘Cobra’.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate this year’s nominees’ achievements, whose outstanding film, TV, streaming, music, literature, and podcast contributions have inspired us,” said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson. “The NAACP Image Awards honor their creativity, talent, and dedication to authentic storytelling, reflecting our community’s richness and diversity.”
A big congratulations to @temsbaby for her Outstanding International Song win. Thank you for showing us your world. 🌎✨👏🏽 See the full list of #NAACPImageAwards Night 1 winners at the link in our bio. pic.twitter.com/jz0dRy4fFz
— NAACP Image Awards® (@naacpimageaward) March 12, 2024