Nigeria's Davido and South Africa's Sjava win big at BET Awards 2018

27 Jun 2018

The 18th annual BET Awards was hosted by Academy and Grammy-award winner Jamie Foxx at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, USA on 24 June 2018.

The BET Awards continues to tackle and support culturally and socially relevant narratives and conversations, setting the standard for one of the most intently unconventional, news-provoking and talked-about broadcasts.

Last night’s #BETAwards was a vibe! Here’s what YOU had to say about the hottest award show! Presented by @ToyotaUSA #LetsGoPlaces

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Commented Alex Okosi,executive VP and MD of Viacom International Media Networks Africa and BET International: “The BET Awards is the ultimate platform for celebrating black excellence. This year we are proud to highlight the impact international artists have on global culture by honouring Best International Act winner Davido during the live broadcast of the show. Congratulations to Bismack Biyombo on his Global Good Award, Sjava for his Viewers’ Choice Best New International Act win and all the nominees for elevating black culture globally.”

Cassper Nyovest, Distruction Boyz to represent South Africa at BET Awards

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Nigerian musician Davido, won the award for Best International Act beating fellow nominees Tiwa Savage (Nigeria), Booba (France), Cassper Nyovest (South Africa), Dadju (France), Distruction Boyz (South Africa), Fally Ipupa (DR Congo), J Hus (UK), Niska (France), Stefflon Don (UK) and Stormzy (UK). During his acceptance speech, Davido sent his condolences to D’banj and also urged American artistes to collaborate with their counterparts in Africa. “And as I go on, I wanna talk about Africa. My continent has been so blessed to influence many cultures,” he said, “Come to Africa, eat the food, wear the clothes. Get ready for me, let’s collaborate.”

Davido accepts The Best International Act Award onstage at the 2018 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Leon Bennett / Getty Images North America / AFP

Sjava from South Africa, won the award for Best New International Act amongst fellow nominees Niniola (Nigeria), NOT3S (UK), Kwesi Arthur (Ghana), SIK-K (S.Korea), Prince Waly (France), Nailah Blackman (The Caribbean), MC Soffia (Brazil), Take A MIC (France) and IAMDDB (UK). Sjava expressed his gratitude with a shout out, “To all my team for the incredible support you have provided me, to my fans who listen to my music and all the DJs who play my music, I really appreciate it. Siyabonga.”

�� BET Award winner @sjava_atm and 3-time nominee, @casspernyovest ��. Catch the BET Awards Tuesday at 20:00 CAT. ��: @jabukiing

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For the first time, BET honored six Humanitarian Heroes, individuals who have done extraordinary things in some of the most disheartening and trying of situations. Presented by John Legend, those honoured included James Shaw Jr. (disarmed Waffle House shooter), Naomi Wadler (11 year-old speaker at March For Our Lives), Mamoudou Gassama (climbed outside of building to save dangling four-year-old), Justin Blackman (only student to walk out of his High School on National Student Walk-Out Day), Shaun King (journalist who has been instrumental in covering untold stories in the black community), and Anthony Borges (Parkland Victim/Hero who threw himself in line of fire - shot five times).

Bismack Biyombo, the Congolese professional basketball player for Orlando Magic, received BET International’s 2018 Global Good Award. The award recognises celebrities and public figures who use their platform for social good and exemplify integrity, courage, goodness and commitment to the global community.