Nairobi News

Kenyan artistes will miss out on this year’s BET Awards despite eight trailblazing African artistes making the nomination shortlist.

The awards, which will be held on June 25 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, will however be highlighted by American singer Beyonce who has seven nominations, the most by any single artiste.

Beyoncé nominations include ‘Best Female R&B/Pop Artist,’ ‘Best Collaboration’ with Kendrick Lamar for Freedom, ‘Video of the Year,’ and ‘Album of the Year’ for Lemonade.

Bruno Mars follows with five nods including ‘Album of the Year,’ ‘Best Male R&B/Pop Artist,’ and ‘Video of the Year’ for 24K Magic.

Holding up the torch for South African hip-hop is chart topping don, AKA, rising star, Nasty C and the inimitable dance and house music sensation, Babes Wodumo.

NIGERIAN NOMINEES

Nigeria enjoys a strong representation with Wizkid, who is no stranger to the awards, the infinitely talented Tekno, enterprising singer Mr Eazi, singer and producer Davido and one of the leading reggae and dancehall artists, Stonebwoy from Ghana rounding up the nominees for the Best International Act: Africa.

Among the most interesting, nominees are Kehlani for the Centric Award, Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino for Best Actor Award. British acts Craig David, grime star Stormzy and rapper Skepta battle it out for the title of Best International Act.

Other nominees include Solange, nominated for four awards and who is up against sister Beyoncé for ‘Best Female R&B/Pop Artist.’

Chance the Rapper and Migos have received four nominations as well. Chance the Rapper has been nominated for ‘Best Male Hip-Hop Artist’ and ‘Best New Artist’ and Migos for ‘Best Group’ and ‘Best Collaboration’ for their number 1 hit Bad and Boujee with Lil Uzi Vert.

The complete list of nominees for the 2017 BET Awards are:

Best Female R&B/Pop Artiste

Beyonce

Kelani

Mary J. Blige

Rihanna

Solange

Best Male R&B/Pop Artiste

Bruno Mars

Chris Brown

The Weeknd

Trey Songz

Usher

Best Group

2 Chainz & Lil Wayne

A Tribe Called Quest

Fat Joe & Remy Ma

Migos

Rae Sremmurd

Best Collaboration

Beyoncé ft. Kendrick Lamar – Freedom

Chance the Rapper ft. 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne – No Problem

Chris Brown ft. Gucci Mane & Usher – Party

DJ Khaled ft. Beyoncé & Jay Z – Shining

Migos ft. Lil Uzi Vert – Bad and Boujee

Rae Sremmurd ft. Gucci Mane – Black Beatles

Best Male Hip-Hop Artiste

Big Sean

Chance the Rapper

Drake

Future

Cole

Kendrick Lamar

Best Female Hip-Hop Artiste

Cardi B

Missy Elliott

Nicki Minaj

Remy Ma

Young m.a.

Video of the Year

Beyoncé – Sorry

Big Sean – Bounce Back

Bruno Mars – 24K Magic

Migos ft. Lil Uzi Vert – Bad and Boujee

Solange – Cranes in the Sky

Video Director of the Year

Benny Boom – Kehlani “Crzy”

Bruno Mars & Jonathan Lia – Bruno mars “that’s what i like”

Director X – Zayn Malik “Like I Would”

Hype Williams – Tyga “Gucci Snakes ft. Desiigner”

Kahlil Joseph & Beyoncé Knowles-Carter – Beyoncé “Sorry”

Best New Artiste

21 Savage

Cardi B

Chance the Rapper

Khalid

Young m.a.

Album of the Year

24k Magic – Bruno Mars

4 Your Eyez Only – J. Cole

A Seat at the Table – Solange

Coloring Book – Chance the Rapper

Lemonade – Beyoncé

Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award

Cece Winans – Never Have to be Alone

Fantasia ft. Tye Tribbett – I Made It

Kirk Franklin ft. Sarah Reeves, Tasha Cobbs & Tamela Mann – My World Needs You

Lecrae – Can’t Stop Me Now (Destination)

Tamela Mann – God Provides

Best Actress

Gabrielle union

Issa Rae

Janelle Monáe

Taraji P. Henson

Viola Davis

Best Actor

Bryshere Y. Gray

Denzel Washington

Donald Glover

Mahershala Ali

Omari Hardwick

Young Stars Award

Ace Hunter

Caleb McLaughlin

Jaden Smith

Marsai Martin

Yara Shahidi

Best Movie

Fences

Get Out!

Hidden Figures

Moonlight

The Birth of a Nation

Sportswoman of the Year Award

Gabby Douglas

Serena Williams

Simone Biles

Skylar Diggins

Venus Williams

Sportsman of the Year Award

Cam Newton

LeBron James

Odell Beckham Jr.

Russell Westbrook

Stephen Curry

Centric Award

Fantasia – Sleeping With the One I Love

Kehlani – Distraction

Mary J. Blige – Thick of It

Solange – Cranes in the Sky

Syd – All About Me

Yuna – Crush ft. Usher

Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award

Beyoncé – Sorry

Bruno Mars – 24k Magic

Drake – Fake Love

Migos ft. Lil Uzi Vert – Bad and Boujee

Rae Sremmurd ft. Gucci Mane – Black Beatles

The Weeknd ft. Daft Punk – Starboy

Best International Act: Africa

AKA (South Africa)

Babes Wodumo (South Africa)

Davido (Nigeria)

Nasty C (South Africa)

Stonebwoy (Ghana)

Tekno (Nigeria)

Wizkid (Nigeria)

Mr Eazi (Nigeria)

Best international Act: Europe

Booba (France)

MHD (France)

Craig David (UK)

Emeli Sande (UK)

Giggs (UK)

Skepta (UK)

Stormzy (UK)

Wiley (UK)