Five Things We’re Looking Forward to at the 2024 BET Awards

A potentially historic double for Burna Boy

Burna Boy has the honor of being nominated for Best Male R&B/Pop Artist and Best Male Hip-Hop Artist on the same night. A win in both would be historic. I Told Them, his last album which scored him these nods, masterfully married contemporary Nigerian pop with hip-hop dalliances, a genre-defying blend that makes it apt that he’s in two categories where nominees never collide. Granted, it’s a tall order to win one of these or both, but the African Giant has been defying odds for several years.

Tyla is set to make the stage jump

An undisclosed injury canceled Tyla’s tour but it hasn’t dampened the Grammy winner’s momentum as one of the most dazzling risers in global music. Earlier this week, she returned to performing with a set at Afro Nation Portugal, and she’ll be on stage during this year’s BET Awards ceremony. While it’s almost certain that she’ll be performing “Water” and its viral waist-whining dance moves, there’s the possibility for “Jump” to steal the show, the Gunna-assisted hit song that feels like it might get that summertime stimulus.

Also, the South African singer is one of the two African artists, alongside Ayra Starr nominated for Best New Act. Fingers crossed for the girlies.

The international categories

Since their inception, Best International Act and Best New International Act have been dominated by African artists. This year could be more of the same. There are four African artists nominated for Best International Act, five if you add French Malian singer Aya Nakamura. If any of Tyla, Ayra Starr, Asake and Focalistic win the award, it will be their first win in the category.

Meanwhile, Nigerian rapper/singer Seyi Vibez joins South African artists Makhadzi and Tyler ICU as the Africans vying for Best New International Act, a category that also includes British Nigerian R&B singer Bellah.

African celebrities on the red (or blue) carpet

One thing African celebrities know how to do is arrive in some serious style. There’s already evidence for that this year, from the MET Gala to the Louis Vuitton Show at Paris Fashion Week. Even the looks from the blue carpet of the 2019 BET Awards showed that our stars always understand the assignment. It is expected that Sunday evening will be no different.

Usher’s lifetime achievement award

To the canon of Black music and culture, Usher’s imprint is indelible, hence his Lifetime Achievement Award at Sunday’s ceremony. To many African millennials, Usher for sure means a whole lot. There were countless birthday parties where young kids lost their minds to “Yeah!” and even the iconic Afrobeats twin duo, P-Square, were often discussed in tandem with the American R&B superstar. Sunday’s recognition will be a communal celebration of what Usher means to Black music, and thousands of Africans will be joining in spirit.