BET Africa celebrates the best in African talent at the 2017 BET Awards.
AKA, Babes Wodumo and Nasty C are the three South African nominees for the BET International Act Africa Awards.
Local musos are up against some of the continent's best, Nigerian superstars, Wizkid, Tekno, Mr Eazi, Davido and Ghanaian Afropop star Stonebwoy.
“Africa has a rich cultural heritage and the BET Awards reflect the power of our culture through music. This annual celebration puts the spotlight on African artists and exposes their amazing talent to the world. We wish the nominees well and congratulate them for the hard work and effort over the last year,” said Monde Twala, Vice President for BET, Youth & Music.
Hosted by the singer and television personality, Nandi Madida at the African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel on Monday night - dazzled in a gold sequel figure hugging number and her signature hair cut.
MC duties are done for @BET_Africa its going to be an epic year💫💋🎉. pic.twitter.com/epTiYBM1XR
— Nandi Madida (@Nandi_Madida) May 15, 2017
Babes Wodumo couldn't hide her shock as her name was called up and she revealed that it was her first time hearing the news.
"I don't know what to say, I only found out now about the nominations and I feel honoured," she said.
Accompanied by her fiance, Mampitsha, who looked very chuffed for keeping the big secret, Babes wore red heels matching her signature hair and as usual, she dressed very little, summer body goals, she looked sexy in a what looked like a glittery military green little number.
@BABESWODUMO looking all kinds of yams. She's also a nominee for the Best International Act in Africa. Wololo #BETAwards17 pic.twitter.com/VYas3un4Q6
— Thobile Mazibuko (@thobie4me) May 15, 2017
Also new faces of BET Africa were revealed.
Joining the A listers as new hosts are actresses and media personalities Jessica Nkosi and Nomzamo Mbatha.
Music sensation ,Khaya Mthethwa will host a brand new gospel show, Rhythm and Gospel, Sundays at 13:00.
The 2017 #BETAwards nominees for #BestIntlActAfrica are...
— BET (@BET) May 15, 2017
BET A list host Jesse Suntele, head turner K Naomi and Congolese born singer Tresor, were also in attendance.
Nasty C was not present, speaking on his behalf is his representative, who told the crowd that the rapper is currently in Kenya, recording new music.
This year’s marks 17 years of unexpected performances, trailblazing moments, dope talent, and entertainment’s most provocative players.
Beyoncé dominates this year’s nominations with a total of seven including ‘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.”
Other nominees include Solange, nominated for four awards and who is up against her sister, Beyoncé for ‘Best Female R&B/Pop Artist.’Chance the Rapper and Migos receive four nominations as well,Chance the Rapper nominated for ‘Best Male Hip-Hop Artist’ and ‘Best New Artist’ and Migos for ‘Best Group’ and ‘Best Collaboration’ for their #1 hit “Bad and Boujee” with Lil Uzi Vert.
Check out the full list of nominees for the 2017 BET Awards:
Best International Act: Africa
AKA (South Africa)
BABES WODUMO (South Africa)
NASTY C (South Africa)
DAVIDO (Nigeria)
STONEBWOY (Ghana)
TEKNO (Nigeria)
WIZKID (Nigeria)
MR EAZI (Nigeria)
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
BEYONCÉ
KEHLANI
MARY J. BLIGE
RIHANNA
SOLANGE
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
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 Artist
BIG SEAN
CHANCE THE RAPPER
DRAKE
FUTURE
J. COLE
KENDRICK LAMAR
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
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 Artist
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
Dr. 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
YoungStars 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: Europe
BOOBA (France)
MHD (France)
CRAIG DAVID (UK)
EMELI SANDE (UK)
GIGGS (UK)
SKEPTA (UK)
STORMZY (UK)
WILEY (UK)
* To vote for your favourite artist, please go www.betafrica.tv from 15 May to 26 May 2017.
** 2017 “BET AWARDS” to air exclusively on BET Africa on 27 June at 20:00.