Multiple award-winning Nigerian international artiste, Burna Boy, has become the first African artiste to win three consecutive BET awards. On Sunday, June 27, the GRAMMYs award-winning artiste clinched his third successive BET trophy after he was adjudged the BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT at the 21st edition of the annual African-American entertainment award ceremony.
Following an impressive outing in 2020, the Afrobeats serial hitmaker bested fellow nominees Aya Nakamura (France), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), Wizkid (Nigeria) Emicida (Brazil), Headie One (UK), Yung T and Bugse (UK) and Youssoupha (France) in the keenly contested category.
In March, 2021, Burna Boy won Best Global Music Album for Twice As Tall at the Premiere Ceremony of the 63rd GRAMMY Awards. This marked his first career GRAMMY win. He become the first winner of the recently renamed category, formerly known as Best World Music Album. Later, Burna gave a fire performance to close out the Premiere Ceremony, featuring two Twice As Tall tracks.
Taraji P. Henson hosted the ceremony, which this year featured the theme “Year of the Black Woman.” Last year, the BET Awards was one of the first major awards shows to take place after the start of the pandemic, though it took place virtually and remotely. This year, the BET Awards returned to the live show format and welcomed back an in-person, vaccinated audience along with a red carpet. Organizers said they would work closely with Los Angeles County to support community vaccination efforts and ensure adherence to COVID-19 protocols.
Swizz Beatz oversaw a tribute to the late rapper DMX, who died in April at age 50. Busta Rhymes, Method Man and Griselda performed during the tribute, which followed the “In Memoriam” segment remembering those who died over the past year. Their medley included a rousing performance of “Party Up (Up in Here).”
The awards aim to honor “creative expression and Black excellence across music, television, film and sports” across 21 categories. Heading into the ceremony, Megan Thee Stallion and DaBaby led the nominations for the 2021 BET Awards, with seven apiece.
