Entertainment
Rema, Burna Boy win Inaugural Afrobeats Awards at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards
The winners of the 2023 Billboard Music Awards were announced on Sunday, November 19, 2023.
Nigerain music stars Rema and Burna Boy made history as they won awards in the inaugural Afrobeats categories.
Rema and American pop star Selena Gomez won the best Afrobeats song of the year for their collaboration, “Calm Down.”
Selena Gomez Credits Rema With 2023 Billboard Music Awards Win for ‘Calm Down’
The Nigerian rapper also gave the singer-actress a shoutout in his acceptance speech.
Rema, in his acceptance speech, said, “This honour for ‘Calm Down’ is a celebration of unity and the global domination of Afrobeats. I want to say a big shoutout to Selena Gomez, Mavin Records, Jonzing World as well as the amazing fans who supported us all the way to this point. I want to say a big thank you to Billboard — I’m very grateful. All the way from Nigeria, Rema. One love.”
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Selena Gomez, in her acceptance speech said, “Thank you guys so, so much for this award. This is honestly Rema’s doing. He chose me to be a part of such an incredible song. So I want to thank him and thank all of you for streaming and listening and I wish we could be there. But thank you!”
Burna Boy won the “Top Afrobeats Artist” award.
See full list of winners below:
ARTIST AWARDS
Top Artist
Drake
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
SZA
WINNER: Taylor Swift
Top New Artist
Bailey Zimmerman
Ice Spice
Jelly Roll
Peso Pluma
WINNER: Zach Bryan
Top Male Artist
Drake
Luke Combs
WINNER: Morgan Wallen
The Weeknd
Zach Bryan
Top Female Artist
Beyoncé
Miley Cyrus
Olivia Rodrigo
SZA
WINNER: Taylor Swift
Top Duo/Group
Eslabon Armado
Fifty Fifty
WINNER: Fuerza Regida
Grupo Frontera
Metallica
Top Billboard 200 Artist
Drake
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
SZA
WINNER: Taylor Swift
Top Hot 100 Artist
Drake
Luke Combs
WINNER: Morgan Wallen
SZA
Taylor Swift
Top Hot 100 Songwriter (NEW)
Ashley Gorley
Jack Antonoff
SZA
WINNER: Taylor Swift
Zach Bryan
Top Hot 100 Producer (NEW)
Jack Antonoff
WINNER: Joey Moi
Metro Boomin
Taylor Swift
Zach Bryan
Top Streaming Songs Artist
Drake
WINNER: Morgan Wallen
SZA
Taylor Swift
Zach Bryan
Top Radio Songs Artist
Miley Cyrus
Morgan Wallen
SZA
WINNER: Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Top Song Sales Artist
Jason Aldean
Miley Cyrus
Morgan Wallen
Oliver Anthony Music
WINNER: Taylor Swift
Top Billboard Global 200 Artist
Bad Bunny
Morgan Wallen
SZA
WINNER: Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Top Billboard Global (Excl. U.S.) Artist
Bad Bunny
Ed Sheeran
NewJeans
WINNER: Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Top R&B Artist
Beyoncé
Chris Brown
Rihanna
WINNER: SZA
The Weeknd
Top R&B Male Artist
Chris Brown
Miguel
WINNER: The Weeknd
Top R&B Female Artist
Beyoncé
Rihanna
WINNER: SZA
Top R&B Touring Artist
WINNER: Beyoncé
Bruno Mars
The Weeknd
Top Rap Artist
21 Savage
WINNER: Drake
Lil Baby
Metro Boomin
Travis Scott
Top Rap Male Artist
21 Savage
WINNER: Drake
Travis Scott
Top Rap Female Artist
Doja Cat
Ice Spice
WINNER: Nicki Minaj
Top Rap Touring Artist
50 Cent
WINNER: Drake
Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa
Top Country Artist
Bailey Zimmerman
Luke Combs
WINNER: Morgan Wallen
Taylor Swift
Zach Bryan
Top Country Male Artist
Luke Combs
WINNER: Morgan Wallen
Zach Bryan
Top Country Female Artist
Lainey Wilson
Megan Moroney
WINNER: Taylor Swift
Top Country Duo/Group
Old Dominion
Parmalee
WINNER: Zac Brown Band
Top Country Touring Artist
George Strait
Luke Combs
WINNER: Morgan Wallen
Top Rock Artist
Jelly Roll
Noah Kahan
Stephen Sanchez
Steve Lacy
WINNER: Zach Bryan
Top Rock Duo/Group (NEW)
WINNER: Arctic Monkeys
Foo Fighters
Metallica
Top Rock Touring Artist
WINNER: Coldplay
Depeche Mode
Elton John
Top Latin Artist
WINNER: Bad Bunny
Eslabon Armado
Fuerza Regida
Karol G
Peso Pluma
Top Latin Male Artist
WINNER: Bad Bunny
Peso Pluma
Rauw Alejandro
Top Latin Female Artist
WINNER: Karol G
ROSALÍA
Shakira
Top Latin Duo/Group
Eslabon Armado
WINNER: Fuerza Regida
Grupo Frontera
Top Latin Touring Artist
Daddy Yankee
WINNER: Karol G
RBD
Top Global K-Pop Artist (NEW)
Jimin
WINNER: NewJeans
Stray Kids
TOMORROW X TOGETHER
TWICE
Top K-Pop Touring Artist (NEW)
WINNER: BLACKPINK
SUGA
TWICE
Top Afrobeats Artist (NEW)
WINNER: Burna Boy
Libianca
Rema
Tems
Wizkid
Top Dance/Electronic Artist
WINNER: Beyoncé
Calvin Harris
David Guetta
Drake
Tiësto
Top Christian Artist
Brandon Lake
Elevation Worship
for KING & COUNTRY
WINNER: Lauren Daigle
Phil Wickham
Top Gospel Artist
CeCe Winans
Elevation Worship
WINNER: Kanye West
Kirk Franklin
Maverick City Music
ALBUM AWARDS
Top Billboard 200 Album
Drake & 21 Savage, Her Loss
Metro Boomin, HEROES & VILLAINS
WINNER: Morgan Wallen, One Thing at a Time
SZA, SOS
Taylor Swift, Midnights
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Top Soundtrack
WINNER: Barbie: The Album
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By
ELVIS
Metro Boomin Presents Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Soundtrack From and Inspired by the Motion Picture)
Top Gun: Maverick
Top R&B Album
Beyoncé, RENAISSANCE
Brent Faiyaz, WASTELAND
Drake, Honestly, Nevermind
Steve Lacy, Gemini Rights
WINNER: SZA, SOS
See more here
Entertainment
Burna Boy Splashes $100,000 on 6uff, Odumodublvck at Lagos Club Night
Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy turned heads over the weekend after reportedly spending $100,000 to support rising acts during a high-energy night at Bayrock Lifestyle in Lagos.
The early Sunday event saw standout performances from Odumodublvck and fast-rising act 6uff, as Burna Boy vibed enthusiastically alongside Phyno and Seyi Vibez.
The artists lit up the venue with their hit track “10 Minutes,” creating a charged atmosphere under neon lights and confetti.
Surprise Moment with Nasboi
One of the night’s most talked-about moments came when Burna Boy spotted comedian and singer Nasboi leaving the club. Calling him back, the Grammy-winning star praised his work, requested a quick performance, and gifted him a stack of $100 bills.
Nasboi later shared the moment online, expressing excitement and gratitude, saying he felt “on top of the world” after the unexpected encounter.
Artists React, Fans Weigh In
Following the event, Odumodublvck humorously remarked that the intense performance left him sleeping until 3 p.m., highlighting the demanding nature of the night.
Fans have since flooded social media with praise for Burna Boy’s generosity and support for fellow entertainers.
However, some critics argue the lavish spending could be part of a strategic rollout ahead of new music.
Industry Buzz
The club appearance has further fueled speculation about upcoming releases from Burna Boy, known for blending headline-making moments with music promotion.
Regardless of intent, the night reinforced his influence in the Nigerian entertainment scene and his willingness to spotlight emerging talent.
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Entertainment
Omah Lay Announces ‘Clarity of Mind’ World Tour, Set to Headline Wembley
Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Omah Lay has officially unveiled his highly anticipated “Clarity of Mind World Tour,” marking a major milestone in his global career.
The tour comes on the back of his critically acclaimed second album Clarity of Mind, a project that has resonated widely for its introspective themes and Afro-fusion sound. The album made a strong impact internationally, topping Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart with multiple tracks gaining traction across streaming platforms.
As part of the European leg, Omah Lay will perform in major cities including Brussels on November 6, Berlin on November 8, and Paris on November 13. The tour will culminate in a landmark headline show at OVO Arena Wembley, a 12,500-capacity venue in London—a significant achievement for the fast-rising star.
Tickets for all dates are scheduled to go on sale May 8 at 10 a.m. local time.
Fans have taken to social media to celebrate the announcement, viewing it as yet another indication of Afrobeats’ growing global dominance. Many also pointed to fellow Nigerian artist Young Jonn, who has similarly made waves internationally, highlighting a broader movement of African artists commanding major global stages.
With the “Clarity of Mind World Tour,” Omah Lay continues to cement his position as one of Afrobeats’ most compelling voices, bringing deeply personal storytelling and genre-blending sounds to an ever-expanding international audience.
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Entertainment
Tiwa Savage Reveals Musical Influences, Names Brandy, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido
Award-winning Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage has opened up about the musical icons who have shaped her sound, revealing a blend of global and African influences.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, the Afrobeats star disclosed that her music is inspired by a mix of legendary R&B and Afrobeats artists, including Brandy, Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido.
The revelation has sparked widespread reactions online, with many fans expressing surprise at her inclusion of fellow Afrobeats stars as part of her inspiration. While her admiration for Brandy—known for her smooth vocals and emotional delivery comes as no shock, her acknowledgment of Nigerian contemporaries has drawn particular attention.
Tiwa Savage is widely recognized for blending R&B elements with Afrobeats, creating a unique sound that resonates with audiences both locally and globally. By drawing from artists across different genres and regions, she continues to position herself as one of Africa’s most versatile music stars.
Following her comments, social media platforms have been buzzing with mixed reactions. While some fans praised her openness and ability to evolve musically, others described the moment as a sign of unity within the Nigerian music industry.
Her latest statement further highlights her creative process and reinforces her status as a global Afrobeats icon, whose music continues to bridge cultures and genres.
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Entertainment
BNXN Slams Fat Joe Over “Buju” Claim, Sparks Global Afrobeats Debate
Nigerian Afrobeats star BNXN has responded to comments made by American rapper Fat Joe regarding the origins of his former stage name “Buju,” reigniting debate across the global music scene.
Speaking on the Joe and Jada podcast, Fat Joe claimed he once called out a “fake guy in Africa” for using the Buju name, suggesting that the criticism led BNXN born Daniel Etiese Benson—to eventually rebrand in 2022. The remarks quickly went viral, drawing backlash from fans and industry figures.
BNXN initially reacted strongly in a now-deleted post, accusing Fat Joe of spreading misinformation and showing “hate” toward African music. He later softened his stance, calling for mutual respect between artists across continents and emphasizing the need for better understanding of Afrobeats and its cultural roots.
The controversy has sparked wider conversations online, with Nigerian rapper Olamide and other artists publicly backing BNXN.
Supporters argue that the name “Buju” was never exclusively owned, pointing out its separate usage by Jamaican reggae icon Buju Banton, whose influence spans decades.
Fans have also weighed in with streaming comparisons, noting that BNXN’s catalog has, in some cases, outperformed Buju Banton’s on platforms like Spotify fueling debates about generational shifts and the global rise of Afrobeats.
BNXN adopted his new name in 2022 to establish a distinct identity while maintaining his artistic legacy. Despite the brief clash, his recent comments suggest a desire to move forward, focusing on music and cross-cultural collaboration rather than conflict.
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS9FpVVGG
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Entertainment
Blessing CEO Backtracks on ‘Stage 4 Cancer’ Claim Amid Fraud Allegations
Nigerian relationship expert Blessing CEO has issued a public apology following widespread backlash over her earlier claim that she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.
In a video shared online, Blessing admitted that her use of the term “stage 4” may have been a miscommunication, acknowledging that it caused confusion, concern, and public embarrassment. The claim had initially triggered sympathy from followers, leading to reported donations totaling about N13 million.
However, skepticism quickly grew as critics began questioning inconsistencies in her medical reports and referencing her history of past controversies. The situation escalated into allegations of possible fraud, with many demanding clarification and proof.
Responding to the backlash, Blessing stated that she never intended to mislead the public and expressed regret over how the information was presented. She also announced that she is willing to refund donors who feel misled.
To rebuild trust, she promised to release detailed medical evidence, including scan results and biopsy reports, to provide transparency about her health condition. She has since begun sharing hospital scan footage, which has continued to draw mixed reactions online.
While some supporters believe her apology is genuine and view the situation as a misunderstanding, others remain doubtful, insisting that full medical disclosure is necessary to resolve the controversy.
The incident has reignited conversations around accountability, online influence, and the responsibility public figures have when sharing sensitive personal information.
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