By Uche Amunike
It was a night of satisfaction and pride for Nigerians all over the world as the Wizkid and Tems BET Awards victory, which they both recorded at the Microsoft Theatre, Los Angeles, during the 2022 Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards ceremony, put the country on the spotlight, Sunday.
At the event, which is considered to be one of the biggest recognitions in black entertainment all over the world, Nigerian artists made the country proud, from historic awards to breathtaking performances.
Talented Nigerian Singer, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems’ BET award was for Best International Act. She beat Nigeria’s Fireboy to clinch the award, alongside Dave from the UK, Ludmilla from Brazil, Major League Djz from South Africa, Dinos from France, Fally Ipupa from Congo, Tayc from France and Little Simz from the UK.
While receiving the award, Tems advised women and girls to be focused about following their dreams while adding that hard work usually pays off.
Tems BET Award win served as proof that Nigerian artistes form a significant part of the entertainment industry as Nigerian artistes who have won the award in the past include 2face Idibia, D’banj, Ice Prince, Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy.
Interestingly, Tems’ BET Award winning didn’t stop at the category for Best International Act as she made a double win when Nigerian musician, Wizkid, clinched the Best Collaboration Award, with his song, ‘Essence’, therefore, bringing Tems to the spotlight at the event, a second time. Recall that Wizkid featured Tems and Justin Bieber in ‘Essence’ remix in August 2021.
It certainly seemed like Nigerians were steadily on the spotlight at the awards ceremony as, soon after Tems and Wizkid received their awards, successful singer, Fireboy, also thrilled the audience with his electrifying performance. He performed and the same stage as internationally recognised artists like Lil Wayne, Roddy Rich, Diddy and a host of others. He left the audience cheering during his outstanding performance, particularly to the two songs, ‘Playboy’ and ‘Peru’. Shortly after, his fans took to Twitter to celebrate him for also being signed by the YBNL.
Another performance that thrilled the audience was also by a Nigerian producer and singer, Pheelz, this time, at the pre-show outdoor event which was held before the main ceremony on Sunday night. Pheelz performed his hit song, ‘Finesse’, making the audience feel a touch of the positive energy brought by the Nigerian performing artistes at the show.
He said this on Twitter after he announced his amazing performance: ‘About to be the first international artist to perform at the BET show. Yeah, I’m super gassed.’
The joy of Nigerian celebrities and fans have known no bounds at the success of not only Wizkid and Tems’ BET Awards wins, but also, the outstanding performances by Fireboy and Pheelz. They have gone to different social media platforms to appreciate and congratulate them for taking ‘Afrobeats to the world’.
