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Rema, Burna Boy win Inaugural Afrobeats Awards at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards

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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.

FIRS

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


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Burna Boy Splashes $100,000 on 6uff, Odumodublvck at Lagos Club Night

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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.

FIRS

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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Omah Lay Announces ‘Clarity of Mind’ World Tour, Set to Headline Wembley

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Omah Lay Announces Clarity of Mind World Tour, Wembley Headline Show Confirmed
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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.

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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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Tiwa Savage Reveals Musical Influences, Names Brandy, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido

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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.

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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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BNXN Slams Fat Joe Over “Buju” Claim, Sparks Global Afrobeats Debate

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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.

FIRS


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.

 

 

 

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Blessing CEO Backtracks on ‘Stage 4 Cancer’ Claim Amid Fraud Allegations

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Blessing CEO Apologizes Over Cancer Claim, Offers Refunds After N13m Donations
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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.

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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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