Afrobeats is officially having its moment in the global spotlight with some of Nigeria’s finest being nominated for the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards! This is huge, people. Huge! It’s like a dream come true. These artists are not just representing Nigeria, they’re waving the flag for all of Africa.
The 2024 VMAs are shaping up to be a showdown of epic proportions, with our very own Afrobeats royalty snagging nominations left and right. Burna Boy, Tems, Davido, Ayra Starr, Lojay, and Pheelz are all vying for the coveted “Best Afrobeats” trophy. Did someone say Nigerian excellence?
Last year, Rema and Selena Gomez’s “Calm Down” remix made history as the first-ever winner in this category, but this year, the competition’s heating up. Burna Boy’s “City Boys” is facing off against Ayra Starr’s “Last Heartbreak Song” (featuring Giveon) and Tems’ “Love Me Jeje.” And let’s not forget Pheelz, Davido, and Lojay, who snuck into the category thanks to their collabs with international heavyweights Usher and Chris Brown.
Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and Co-General Manager of Paramount Africa & Lead BET International, couldn’t contain his excitement: “These artists aren’t just repping their countries; they’re flipping the global music scene on its head!” He’s not wrong – our stars are proving that Afrobeats is a worldwide movement.
But hold up, the VMAs aren’t just about Afrobeats. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the awards show that’s been crowning the kings and queens of music videos since before most of us were born. It’s basically the Grammys of the visual music world, and on September 10, 2024, New York City is going to be lit!
Now, let’s talk numbers. Taylor Swift is leading the pack with a whopping 10 nominations. She’s gunning for her fifth “Video of the Year” win, which would be a record-breaker. But our Nigerian stars aren’t far behind in the nomination game. While our Afrobeats stars are killing it, we’ve got to give props to the other nominees.
The VMAs are also rolling out the red carpet for first-timers. Out of 29 newbies, our very own Burna Boy, Lojay, and Pheelz are making their VMA debut. They’re in good company with artists like Benson Boone, Tyla, and a whole bunch of other fresh faces from around the globe. A fresh wave of talent is taking over the music scene.
Voting just ended, and we hope you showed your faves some love. And if you’re feeling extra supportive, keep voting for “Best New Artist” right up until the show on September 10.
This year’s VMAs are a celebration of how far African music has come. Our artists aren’t just participants; they’re trendsetters, pushing boundaries and taking up space, as they should.
So, mark your calendars, set your alarms, and get ready to cheer on our Nigerian stars as they continue to prove that Afrobeats is here to stay, dominate, and revolutionize. The world is our stage, and we’re just getting started.
Who are you rooting for? Drop a comment below!
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