Grammy-nominated singer, Burna Boy, has won Best International Act at the 2020 edition of the BET Awards hosted by Hollywood actress, Amanda Seales.
The 28-year-old was announced winner on Sunday during the ceremony which was held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.
He beat fellow nominees, Stormzy (United Kingdom) Dave (United Kingdom) Ninho (France) S.Pri Noir (France) Sho Madjozi(South Africa) and Innoss’B (DRC).
Supermodel Naomi Campbell, who virtually presented the award, congratulated him and declared it was “Afrobeat all the way” and “Naija in the house.”
In his acceptance speech, ‘Ye’ singer thanked the BET for the honour and declared that it was time to “turn Africa back to royalty.”
“Thank you very much, BET. Second time, I appreciate it. I’d like to use this opportunity to say, sometime in the year 1835, there was a mission to turn Africa into a dominated nation. Now is the time to overturn that and go back to the royalty that we were because in order for black lives to matter, Africa must matter…,” he said.
Mavin Records act, Rema, on the on the other hand, lost the award for Viewers’ Choice: Best New International Act.
Zimbabwean singer, Sha Sha, took home the honour.
See the full list of winners below:
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
Burna Boy (Nigeria) — WINNER
Innoss’B (DRC)
Sho Madjozi (South Africa)
Dave (U.K.)
Stormzy (U.K.)
Ninho (France)
S.Pri Noir (France)
VIEWER’S CHOICE: BEST NEW INTERNATIONAL ACT
Rema (Nigeria)
Sha Sha (Zimbabwe) — WINNER
Celeste (U.K.)
Young T & Bugsey (U.K.)
Hatik (France)
Sracy (France)
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Ajee Wilson
Claressa Shields
Coco Gauff
Naomi Osaka
Serena Williams
Simone Biles — WINNER
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Kawhi Leonard
LeBron James — WINNER
Odell Beckham Jr.
Patrick Mahomes II
Stephen Curry
BET HER AWARD
Alicia Keys – “Underdog”
Beyonce Ft. Blue Ivy Carter, Wizkid & Saint Jhn – “Brown Skin Girl” — WINNER
Ciara Ft. Lupita Nyong’o, Ester Dean, City Girls & La La – “Melanin”
Layton Greene – “I Choose”
Lizzo Ft. Missy Elliott – “Tempo”
Rapsody Ft. PJ Morton – “Afeni”
BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST
Cardi B
Doja Cat
Lizzo
Megan Thee Stallion — WINNER
Nicki Minaj
Saweetie
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Chris Brown Ft. Drake – “No Guidance”
DaBaby – “Bop”
DJ Khaled Ft. Nipsey Hussle & John Legend – “Higher” — WINNER
Doja Cat – “Say So”
Megan Thee Stallion Ft. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign – “Hot Girl Summer”
Roddy Ricch – “The Box”
BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST
Beyonce
H.E.R.
Jhene Aiko
Kehlani
Lizzo — WINNER
Summer Walker
