Thanks to the genius of Ayodeji Balogun, better known by his stage name Wizkid, Afrobeats has once again made history. The “Best Collaboration” award went to his song “Essence remix” with Tems and Justin Bieber, making it the first African song to win in a significant BET Awards category.
Tems became the first Afrobeats artist to win two BET Awards in a single night by riding the popularity of Essence and her most recent collaboration, Future and Drake’s “Wait For You.” Tems also won the Best International Artist Award.
Essence beat out top-charting songs in the US including “Way 2 Sexy” by Drake ft. Future and Young Thug, “Family Ties” by Kendrick Lamar, and “Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat ft. SZA.
Tems remarked in her acceptance speech, “This is dedicated to Africa and Nigeria. This award is for Wiz, Africa, and I just want to say that amazing things are happening out of Africa right now and the light is on everyone there.
Recently, at the 64th annual Grammy Awards, Arooj Aftab’s “Mohabbat” defeated “Essence,” the favorite to win Best Global Music Performance. This caused fury on social media, with Wizkid supporters criticizing the award organization.
Given the song’s enormous popularity, music experts locally and internationally predicted that “Essence” would either have been nominated in a significant category or would have won in that category.
In an interview with Nicki Minaj, former American rapper Joe Biden stated that “Essence was the song of the year” and that “The Grammys should be aware it.”
In addition, Wizkid received a strong nomination for Best Male RnB/Pop Artist alongside Givon, Chris Brown, and Lucky Daye. That category was won by The Weeknd.
Wizkid will become the most decorated African musician in BET history with his fourth BET victory. Best International Act: Africa in 2012, Best International Act: Africa in 2017, the BET HER Award for “Brown Skin Girl,” and Best Collaboration for Essence 2022 are among the honors.