BET Africa (DStv channel 129) is thrilled to announceAfrican and International talent who won big at the 2020 BET Awards. Nigeria’s Burna Boy bagged his second Best International Act award two years in a row and Zimbabwean singer, SHA SHA was awarded the Viewer’s Choice Best New International Act, while French activist, Assa Traoré was honoured with the 2020 BET International Global Good Award. The show which was broadcast virtually in response to safety precautions in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, marking a first for the network, will repeat this evening in partnership with AXE_SA on Monday,29June from 19:00 CAT only on BET Africa (DStv channel 129).
2020 marks both the 20th anniversary of the awards and BET’s 40th anniversary. This year’s show highlighted the absolute best in entertainment, social justice and culture with moving performances and appearances by some of the biggest names across television, film, and music; spreading and inspiring an important message of hope and change.
Africa was well represented as Sho Madjozi,Burna Boy and INNOSS’B battled it out for the number one spot in the Best International Act category while SHA SHA and Remi were nominated in the Viewer’s Choice Best New International Act category.
Monde Twala, Senior Vice Presidentand General Manager of ViacomCBS Networks Africa and Peer Lead BET International said,“The Best International Act categories over the years have honoured the outstanding achievements of some of the most talented international acts from across the world. BET is committed to shining a light on talent, elevating our culture and promoting diversity through song. This year’s winners and nominees reflect an abundance of creative expression. We salute all the nominees and winners.”
This year gave rise to some powerful African voices internationally. Pan-African superstar and globally recognised Burna Boy won Best International Act for the second time running during the virtually produced BET Awards 2020 show. New sensation, SHA SHA, collected the Viewer’s Choice Best New International Act award. The Amapiano vocalist becomes the first Zimbabwean musician to win the award at a powerful ceremony which included a line-up of artists, entertainers, cultural icons and inspiring humanitarians across 21 categories which all took place virtually on Monday 29 June 2020.
The BET Awards celebrated not only its 20th anniversary but also the increased focus currently on the Black community and culture Sunday. The theme of Sunday’s show “Our Culture Can’t Be Cancelled” comes at a time of cultural unrest over racial injustice in the wake of George Floyd’s death while in the custody of Minneapolis police.
This year’s awards used an array of innovative techniques, including stunning and dynamic artist-generated performances and packages, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in the important and inspirational messages of Black Lives Matter and the urgent need for racial equality. The ceremony was an extraordinary celebration of black culture, love, joy, and pride, setting a new bar for awards shows produced during the ongoing pandemic.
During the show, Beyoncé was honoured with the Humanitarian Award for her years of philanthropic service which she dedicated to the Black Lives Matter protestors. In addition, our very own Nomzamo Mbatha joined a list of presenters when she presented the BET Awards International Locked & Lit countdown pre-show and the BET Awards Viewer’s Choice Best New International Act Category.
Assa Traoré was honoured with the 2020 BET International Global Good Award. The Global Good Award is BET International’s recognition of public figures who use their platform for social responsibility and goodness while demonstrating a commitment to the welfare of the global Black community. Assa joins past Global Good honourees including artist and philanthropist Akon and African music legend Yvonne Chaka Chaka.
Winners in the 21 categories were selected by BET’s Voting Academy, which is made up of fans and an esteemed group of entertainment professionals.
A slew of performers and stars appeared, including Alicia Keys, Chloe x Halle, DaBaby, D Smoke, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Jonathan McReynolds, Kane Brown, Lil Wayne, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch, SiR, Summer Walker, Usher and Wayne Brady. Many performances addressed the killings of Black men and women while in police custody, the Black Lives Matter movement and the protests over police violence and some performances also referenced the coronavirus pandemic, incorporating COVID-19 into lyrics or masks into the performance. In addition, Lil Wayne paid tribute to Kobe Bryant while Wayne Brady honoured Little Richard, both the NBA star and singing legend died last year.
Hosted by comedian and actress Amanda Seales, the “BET AWARDS” 2020 were broadcast in partnership with AXE_SA, South Africa’s coolest Male fragrance deodorant that is set to bring the chill!. The BET Awards Pre-Show will repeat on June 29th at 19:00 CAT and BET Awards Main Show Repeat June 29th at 20:00 CAT.
The BET Awards Pre-Show will repeat again on 1st July at 12:30 CAT with BET Awards Main Show at 13:30 CAT and on 4 July at16:00 CAT for The BET Awards Pre-Show and 17:00 CAT for the BET Awards Main Show.
The complete list of the 2020 BET Awards winners is:
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
BURNA BOY (NIGERIA)
VIEWERS’ CHOICE: BEST NEW INTERNATIONAL ACT
SHA SHA (ZIMBABWE)
BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST
LIZZO
BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST
CHRIS BROWN
BEST GROUP
MIGOS
BEST COLLABORATION
CHRIS BROWN FT. DRAKE – “NO GUIDANCE”
BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST
DABABY
BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST
MEGAN THEE STALLION
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
DJ KHALED FT. NIPSEY HUSSLE & JOHN LEGEND – “HIGHER”
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
TEYANA “SPIKE TEE” TAYLOR
BEST NEW ARTIST
RODDY RICCH
DR. BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
KIRK FRANKLIN – “JUST FOR ME”
BEST ACTRESS
ISSA RAE
BEST ACTOR
MICHAEL B. JORDAN
YOUNGSTARS AWARD
MARSAI MARTIN
BEST MOVIE
QUEEN & SLIM
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
SIMONE BILES
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
LEBRON JAMES
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
PLEASE EXCUSE ME FOR BEING ANTISOCIAL (RODDY RICCH)
BET HER AWARD
BEYONCÉ FT. BLUE IVY CARTER, WIZKID & SAINT JHN “BROWN SKIN GIRL”
