The Leading Vibe

The Black Entertainment Television or ‘BET’ Awards are awarded every year to celebrate Africans and African Americans that have been exceptional in music, acting, sports and other fields of entertainment. Accepting the Best International Act award, Tems dedicated her achievement to young women and artists. She said: ‘Where I am from, things like this don’t happen. This is a dream and as you are watching me, I want you to imagine yourself as me because you are meant to be here, too. And so, I am dedicating this to every single young woman, every artist, everybody that is striving and dares to dream.’

Other nominees in the Best International Act category were: Fireboy (Nigeria)—who performed on stage at the event—Dave (UK); Dinos (France); Fally Ipupa (Congo); Little Simz (UK); Ludmilla (Brazil); Major League Djz (South Africa); and Tayc (France).

In the Best Collaboration category, Essence was nominated against ‘Every Change I Get’ by DJ Khaled ft Lil baby and Lil Durk; ‘Family Ties’ by Baby Seem ft Kendrick Lamar; ‘Whole Lotta’ by Bia ft Nicki Minaj; ‘Way 2 Sexy’, Drake ft Future and Young Thug, and ‘Kiss me More’ by Doja Cat ft SZA.