Focalistic, Tyla, Makhadzi and Tyler ICU Score Nominations for the 2024 BET Awards

The 2024 BET Awards nominations have been announced and Africa’s representatives are a strong cohort who will not only be competing within regional award categories but in general categories populated by some of America’s biggest hard-hitters in the US music industry.

Slated for commencement on 30 June 2024 in Los Angeles, California, the BET Awards are multi-disciplinary honours specially made to celebrate Black talent and other minorities within various spaces, including but not necessarily limited to music, acting, and sports.

Image: Tyla – X

Leading the South African pack is none other than Tyla, who’s looking to add more international honours to her Grammy-decorated trophy cabinet. The “Water” hitmaker is up for a BET in four categories: Best International Act, Best New Artist, Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, and the Viewer’s Choice Award. In the last two categories, the Jozi-born crooner will be up against the likes of Beyonce, Doja Cat, SZA, Muni Long as well as her African colleagues Ayra Starr (nominated for Best New Artist) , Davido and Lojay (both up for the gong for Viewer’s Choice Award for Chris Brown’s “Sensational”).

Voting lines for the BET Viewer’s Choice Award starts on 6 June all the way to 30 June.

Image: Tyler ICU – X

“Champion Sound” hitmaker Focalistic will also be vying for Best International Act alongside his compatriot Tyla, and the pair will be joined by Ayra Starr and Asake, with the quartet making up the only African musicians within the category.

Amapiano DJ and producer Tyler ICU had the streets moving with his club banger “Mnike”, receiving even a co-sign from Fenty Beauty founder Rihanna. The star earned a nod for Best New International Act, who will also be joined by Limpopo’s pride Makhadazi. Competing for the award from the African front will also be Nigerian muso Seyi Vibez.

Below are the categories with African nominees (South African artists highlighted):

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist:

Beyoncé

Coco Jones

Doja Cat

H.E.R.

Muni Long

SZA

Tyla

Victoria Monét

BEST NEW ARTIST

41

4BATZ

Ayra Starr

Bossman Dlow

Fridayy

October London

Sexxy Red

Tyla

VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD

Doja Cat “Agora Hills”

Lil Durk feat. J.Cole “All My Life”

Gunna “Fukumean”

Jack Harlow “Lovin On Me”

Muni Long “Made For Me”

Victoria Monet “On My Mama”

Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA “Rich Baby Daddy”

Beyonce “Texas Hold Em”

Tyla “Water”

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT

Asake

Aya Nakamura

Ayra Starr

BK’

Cleo Sol

Focalistic

Karol Conka

Raye

Tiakola

Tyla

VIEWER’S CHOICE: BEST NEW INTERNATIONAL ACT

Bellah

Cristale

Duquesa

Holly G

Jungeli

Makhadzi

Oruam

Seyi Vibez

Tyler ICU