The BET Awards 2023 celebrated the excellence, creativity, and global impact of artists from various genres, with Burna Boy, Tems, and Libianca standing out as shining stars from the African music scene.
NAIROBI, KENYA | NOW THEN DIGITAL — Burna Boy and Tems, two prominent figures in Nigerian Afrobeats, stood out at the 2023 BET Awards held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Alongside them, Cameroonian breakout star Libianca also claimed a trophy, showcasing the vibrancy and diversity of African talent.
Tems Shines with Best Collaboration Award
Tems achieved the remarkable feat of winning the Best Collaboration Award for the second consecutive year. Her outstanding contribution to Future’s track “Wait for U,” featuring Drake, earned her this prestigious accolade.
Last year, she secured the same award for her participation in Wizkid’s remix of “Essence” featuring Justin Bieber.
Burna Boy’s Fourth Win for Best International Act
In a remarkable display of dominance, Burna Boy triumphed in the Best International Act category, surpassing other notable African artists such as Ayra Starr, K.O, and Uncle Waffles.
This remarkable achievement marks Burna Boy’s fourth win in this category, having previously claimed the title in 2019, 2020, and 2021. The 2022 award in this category was claimed by Tems.
Libianca Wins Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act
Emerging as a rising star, Libianca seized the Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act Award.
Her exceptional talent outshined other contenders including Asake (Nigeria), Camidoh (Ghana), Flo (UK), Maureen (France), MC Ryan SP (Brazil), Pabi Cooper (South Africa), Raye (UK), and Werenoi (France).
Davido’s Memorable Return to the BET Stage
Davido, who previously won Best International Act five years ago, made a triumphant return to the BET stage. He captivated the audience with a medley performance of his singles “Feel” and “Unavailable” from his recently released album, Timeless.
SZA and Beyoncé Lead the Night with Multiple Wins
SZA and Beyoncé emerged as the night’s big winners, each taking home three awards. They notably tied for the highly coveted Album of the Year Award, solidifying their status as powerhouses in the music industry.
Full List of BET Awards 2023 Winners
Below is the comprehensive list of winners at the BET Awards 2023:
Best International Act
- Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
- Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Central Cee (UK)
- Ella Mai (UK)
- K.O (South Africa)
- L7nnon (Brazil)
- Stormzy (UK)
- Uncle Waffles (South Africa)
- Aya Nakamura (France)
- Tiakola (France)
Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act
- Asake (Nigeria)
- Camidoh (Ghana)
- Pabi Cooper (South Africa)
- Libianca (Cameroon)
- Maureen (France)
- MC Ryan SP (Brazil)
- Flo (UK)
- Raye (UK)
- Werenoi (France)
Best Collaboration
- ‘Call Me Every Day’ by Chris Brown ft. Wizkid
- ‘Wait For U’ by Future Feat. Drake & Tems
- ‘Big Energy (Remix) by Latto & Mariah Carey ft. DJ Khaled
- ‘Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2’ by Pinkpantheress & Ice Spice
- ‘Can’t Stop Won’t Stop’ by King Combs ft. Kodak Black
- ‘Creepin’ by Metro Boomin, The Weeknd & 21 Savage
- ‘F.N.F. (Let’s Go)’ by Hitkidd & Glorilla
- ‘Tomorrow 2’ by Glorilla & Cardi B
Viewer’s Choice Award
- ‘Wait For U’ by Future ft. Drake & Tems
- ‘Last Last’ by Burna Boy
- ‘Break My Soul’ by Beyoncé
- ‘Jimmy Cooks’ by Drake ft. 21 Savage
- ‘Kill Bill’ by SZA
- ‘First Class’ by Jack Harlow
- ‘Super Freaky Girl’ by Nicki Minaj
- ‘About Damn Time’ by Lizzo
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
- Tems
- Ari Lennox
- Beyoncé
- Coco Jones
- H.E.R.
- Lizzo
- SZA
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
- Burna Boy
- Blxst
- Brent Faiyaz
- Chris Brown
- Drake
- The Weeknd
- Usher
Best Group
- City Girls
- Drake & 21 Savage
- Dvsn
- Flo
- Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin
- Quavo & Takeoff
- Wanmor
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
- Cardi B
- Coi Leray
- Glorilla
- Ice Spice
- Latto
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Nicki Minaj
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
- 21 Savage
- Drake
- Future
- J. Cole
- Jack Harlow
- Kendrick Lamar
- Lil Baby
Video of the Year
- ‘We (Warm Embrace)’ by Chris Brown
- ‘2 Million Up’ by Peezy, Jeezy & Real Boston Richey ft. Rob49
- ‘About Damn Time’ by Lizzo
- ‘Bad Habit’ by Steve Lacy
- ‘First Class’ by Jack Harlow
- ‘Kill Bill’ by SZA
- ‘Tomorrow 2’ by Glorilla & Cardi B
Video Director of the Year
- Burna Boy
- A$Ap Rocky For Awge
- Benny Boom
- Cole Bennett
- Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
- Director X
- Teyana ‘Spike Tey’ Taylor
Best New Artist
- Ambré
- Coco Jones
- Doechii
- Flo
- Glorilla
- Ice Spice
- Lola Brooke
Dr Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
- ‘Bless Me’ by Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin
- ‘Finished (Live)’ by Tamela Mann
- ‘I’ve Got Joy’ by Cece Winans
- ‘Kingdom’ by Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin ft. Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore
- ‘New’ by Tye Tribbett
- ‘One Moment From Glory’ by Yolanda Adams
- ‘The Better Benediction (Pt.2)’ by PJ Morton ft. Lisa Knowles-Smith, Le’andria Johnson, Keke Wyatt, Kierra Sheard & Tasha Cobbs Leonard
BET HER
- ‘About Damn Time’ by Lizzo
- ‘Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2’ by Pinkpantheress, Ice Spice
- ‘Break My Soul’ by Beyoncé
- ‘Her’ by Megan Thee Stallion
- ‘Lift Me Up’ by Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – music from and inspired – by Rihanna & Ludwig Göransson
- ‘Players’ by Coi Leray
- ‘Special’ by Lizzo
Album of the Year
- Anyways, Life’s Great by Glorilla
- Breezy by Chris Brown
- God Did by DJ Khaled
- Her Loss by Drake & 21 Savage
- Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers by Kendrick Lamar
- Renaissance by Beyoncé
- SOS by SZA
Best Movie
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
- Creed 3
- Emancipation
- Nope
- The Woman King
- Till
- Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody
Best Actor
- Amin Joseph
- Brian Tyree Henry
- Damson Idris
- Daniel Kaluuya
- Demetrius ‘lil Meech’ Flenory Jr.
- Donald Glover
- Michael B. Jordan
Best Actress
- Angela Bassett
- Coco Jones
- Janelle James
- Janelle Monáe
- Keke Palmer
- Viola Davis
- Zendaya
Youngstars Award
- Akira Akbar
- Alaya High
- Demi Singleton
- Genesis Denise
- Marsai Martin
- Thaddeus J. Mixson
- Dylan Gilmer
Sportswoman of the Year
- Alexis Morris
- Allyson Felix
- Angel Reese
- Candace Parker
- Naomi Osaka
- Serena Williams
- Sha’carri Richardson
Sportsman of the Year
- Aaron Judge
- Bubba Wallace
- Gervonta Davis
- Jalen Hurts
- Lebron James
- Patrick Mahomes
- Stephen Curry
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