The accusations surfaced in an updated civil lawsuit against Sean Diddy Combs, filed on Sunday, which identified Jay-Z—born Shawn Carter—as a co-defendant, previously referred to as "Celebrity A." According to the complaint, the minor was assaulted in the presence of other celebrities, who allegedly stood by without intervening.

Carter responded strongly to the allegations, accusing the plaintiff's attorney, Tony Buzbee, of attempting extortion. In a statement shared via Roc Nation's social media platform, Jay-Z stated that his lawyer received a "blackmail attempt" from Buzbee, which he believes was intended to coerce him into settling the case.

Additionally, Jay-Z urged that if the accusations were genuine, they should be pursued criminally, not through a civil suit. "These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!" he stated.

Attorney Tony Buzbee, who filed the suit, maintained that the allegations are serious and will be litigated in court. "The pleading speaks for itself. This is a very serious matter that will be litigated in court," he told AFP.

Meanwhile, Sean Combs, who is already facing sex trafficking and racketeering charges, has denied all allegations against him. Federal prosecutors claim Combs orchestrated a network of coercion involving drug-fueled parties and threats of violence. His criminal trial is scheduled for May 2025.

This case adds to the growing wave of legal battles involving Combs, with over 100 alleged victims reportedly preparing to take legal action against him, according to Buzbee.

Jay-Z, 55, is a billionaire entrepreneur, producer, and rapper married to global superstar Beyoncé.

pic.twitter.com/jl8sgOllCM

— Roc Nation (@RocNation) December 9, 2024

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Asake, Tems, and Ayra Starr have all been nominated for the prestigious Best International Act award, where they will compete against global superstars such as Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar, and Megan Thee Stallion.

The MOBO Awards, scheduled to take place on February 18, 2025, will also feature a Best African Music Act category, which is dominated by Nigerian music stars. Asake, Ayra Starr, BNXN & Ruger, Odumodublvck, Rema, Shallipopi, and Tems are all vying for the top spot, alongside South African singers Tyla and Uncle Waffles, as well as Ghana's King Promise.

Additionally, the MOBO Awards organizers took to Instagram to announce the nominees, describing them as "global stars shining bright." Lastly, the recognition is proof of the growing influence and popularity of African music on the global stage.

Here’s the full list of nominees for the MOBO Awards 2025:

Best international act

• Asake
• Ayra Starr
• Beyonce
• Glorilla
• Kendrick Lamar
• Latto
• Megan Thee Stallion
• Nicki Minaj
• Tems
• Tyla

Best African music act

• Asake (Nigeria)
• Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
• Bnxn & Ruger (Nigeria)
• King Promise (Ghana)
• Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
• Rema (Nigeria)
• Shallipopi (Nigeria)
• Tems (Nigeria)
• Tyla (South Africa)
• Uncle Waffles (South Africa)

Best male act

• Bashy
• Central Cee
• D-Block Europe
• Ghetts
• Nemzzz
• Sampha

Best female act

• Cleo Sol
• Darkoo
• Jorja Smith
• Little Simz
• Nia Archives
• Raye

Album of the year

• Bashy – Being Poor Is Expensive
• Cleo Sol – Gold
• Ghetts – On Purpose, With Purpose
• Jorja Smith – Falling Or Flying
• Sampha – Lahai
• Skrapz – Reflection

Song of the Year

• Central Cee Feat. Lil Baby – Band4band
• Chase & Status, Stormzy – Backbone
• Darkoo Feat. Dess Dior – Favourite Girl
• Jordan Adetunji – Kehlani
• Leostaytrill – Pink Lemonade
• Odeal – Soh-Soh

Best newcomer

• Chy Cartier
• Elmiene
• Fimiguerrero
• Flowerovlove
• Jordan Adetunji
• Len
• Leostaytrill
• Myles Smith
• Odeal
• Pozer

Video of the year

• Meekz – Mini Me’s
• Mnelia – My Man
• Raye – Genesis
• Sampha – Only
• Skepta – Gas Me Up (Diligent)
• Unknown T Feat. Loyle Carner – Hocus Pocus

Best R&B/soul act

• Cleo Sol
• Elmiene
• Flo
• Jaz Karis
• Jorja Smith
• Nippa
• Odeal
• Sasha Keable
• Shae Universe
• Sinead Harnett

Best grime act

• Chip
• D Double E
• Duppy
• Kruz Leone
• Manga Saint Hilare
• Scorcher

Best hip-hop act

• Bashy
• Cristale
• Headie One
• Nines
• Potter Payper
• Skrapz

Best drill act

• 163Margs
• Central Cee
• Headie One
• Kairo Keyz
• K-Trap
• Pozer

Best performance in a TV show/film

• Angela Wynter As Yolande Trueman In Eastenders
• Caroline Chikezie As Noma In Power Book Ii: Ghost
• Diane Parish As Denise Fox In Eastenders
• Dionne Brown As Queenie In Queenie
• Ghetts As Krazy In Supacell
• Jacob Anderson As Louis In Interview With The Vampire
• Jasmine Jobson As Jaq In Top Boy
• Josh Tedeku As Tazer In Supacell
• Kingsley Ben-Adir As Bob Marley In Bob Marley: One Love
• Tosin Cole As Michael In Supacell

Best media personality

• 90’s Baby Show
• AJ Odudu
• Chuckie Online
• Craig Mitch
• Henrie Kwushue
• Madame Joyce
• Micah Richards
• Specs Gonzalez
• The Receipts Podcast
• Zeze Millz

Best Caribbean music act

• Popcaan
• Shenseea
• Skillibeng
• Spice
• Valiant
• Yg Marley

Best Jazz act

• Amy Gadiaga
• Blue Lab Beats
• Ego Ella May
• Ezra Collective
• Kokoroko
• Yussef Dayes

Best Alternative Music act

• Alt Blk Era
• Bob Vylan
• Hak Baker
• Kid Bookie
• Native James
• Spider

Best Electronic/Dance act

• Eliza Rose
• Nia Archives
• Pinkpantheress
• Salute
• Shygirl
• Tsha

Best Producer

• Ceebeaats
• Inflo
• Juls
• M1OnTheBeat
• P2J
• Sammy Soso

Best Gospel act

• Annatoria
• Imrhan
• Limoblaze
• Reblah
• Still Shadey
• Volney Morgan & New Ye

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In an interview with Larry Madowo on CNN African Voices, Yemi Alade disclosed that she mysteriously lost her voice after arriving in Los Angeles to collaborate with Beyoncé on her album.

According to Yemi Alade, she had visited the studio a day prior to her scheduled recording session to meet the team. However, upon waking up the next morning, she discovered that she was unable to speak. Despite hearing her thoughts clearly, she was unable to vocalize them, resorting to communicating through written notes.

Determined to recover her voice, Yemi Alade employed a combination of warm water, Vitamin C, ginger, and teas. Fortunately, her efforts yielded results, and she was able to regain partial use of her voice. This remarkable recovery enabled her to successfully record two songs with Beyoncé for her album.

Yemi Alade attributed her sudden loss of voice to suspected sabotage from her "village people" in Nigeria, expressing gratitude that their alleged efforts ultimately failed.

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This recognition comes after the song surpassed 500,000 units in sales in the United States.

Released in September 2019, Joro has enjoyed immense success both locally and internationally, contributing significantly to the global exportation of Afrobeats. The Northboi-produced track has amassed: 125 million streams on Spotify and 290 million views on YouTube, making it one of the most viewed Afrobeats music videos

Meanwhile, with Joro, this achievement adds to the impressive list of RIAA Gold certification earned by Wizkid. It cements his status as the most certified Nigerian artist in the United States. His certifications include: Diamond: One Dance (feat. Drake), 4X Platinum: Essence (feat. Tems), 4X Platinum: Come Closer (feat. Drake), Gold: Soco, Gold: Mood (feat. BNXN), Gold: Call Me Everyday (with Chris Brown) and Gold: Brown Skin Girl (with Beyonce and Saint Jhn)

Lastly, Wizkid's continued success shows his influence in the global music landscape and solidifies Afrobeats' growing presence worldwide.

.@wizkidayo’s “Joro” has now sold 500,000 units in the US.

— It is eligible for RIAA Gold Certification in the US. pic.twitter.com/ZE737thrBH

— Music Gossips (@musicgossips) October 31, 2024

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As part of the 11-date tour across Australia and New Zealand, Ayra Starr opened for Coldplay at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium, thrilling the audience with performances of her hit singles Rush and songs from her sophomore album The Year I Turned 21.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Ayra Starr's career, following her feature on Coldplay's latest album Moon Music on the track Good Feeling. She becomes only the fourth woman to collaborate with Coldplay, joining Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Selena Gomez.

Meanwhile, Ayra Starr's 2024 has been phenomenal, starting with her historic Grammy nomination as the first Nigerian female lead artist. Her sophomore album has enjoyed commercial success, boasting impressive guest appearances from Asake, Seyi Vibez, Giveon, Coco Jones, and Aniita.

Also, the award-winning singer has been nominated for the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) for Best New Artist and Best Afrobeats. This solidifies her position as one of Africa's foremost music exports.

Lastly, Ayra Starr's Australian tour with Coldplay continues with upcoming shows in Sydney, Brisbane, and Auckland.

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The iconic 20,000-seater venue has been the scene of some of Nigeria's greatest music and most innovative musicians who helped define its sound across Africa.

This article celebrates the remarkable achievements of Nigerian artists who have achieved this impressive feat. This is because they have cemented their status as international music powerhouses and redefining the global music landscape.

1. Wizkid (5 sold-out concerts - 2018, 2019, 2021 (x3))

Firstly, Wizkid, born Ayodeji Balogun paved the way for Nigerian artists at the 02 Arena. The sold-out 2018 gig featured Afrobeats stars like Burna Boy, Mr. Eazi, Tiwa Savage and Tekno launching Wizkid's career globally. In 2019, Wizkid sold-out 02 Arena for the second time with his star-studded "Starboy Fest". This show included guests like Skepta, Tiwa Savage, Olamide and Fireboy DML. Lastly, Wizkid, in 2021 made history becoming the first artist ever to sell out the O2 Arena three times. This was with his massive Made in Lagos concert series. Tickets for the event reportedly sold out in just 12 minutes. This made Wizkid one of only 7 acts to do so alongside global legends like Beyoncé and Spice Girls in an astonishingly quick time frame.

2. Davido (3 sold-out concerts - 2019, 2022, 2024)

Secondly, Davido, popular for his exhilarating performances is a three-time sold-out artiste at the 02 Arena. A powerhouse in the global music scene, Davido first sold out the O2 Arena in 2019. By this, he became the second Nigerian artist to achieve this feat after Wizkid. Davido performed alongside other African artists like Mayorkun, Skiibii, Patoranking & Ckay in his 2022 and 2024 concerts along with a few international stars.

3. Asake (2 sold-out concerts - 2023, 2024)

Thirdly, in 2022, YBNL signee Asake dropped his new album Mr. Money With The Vibe. This unique mix of Afrobeats, hip hop and more, attracted a worldwide audience, leading to sold-out shows around the world. Asake sold off the O2 Arena which was inhabited in full on August 20, 2023. This record was made within two years of launching his music career. Also, he played the songs on his debut album, mixed in with hits by request, such as Lonely at the Top. Olamide, Tiwa Savage and Fireboy DML also graced the stage with Asake on that night to give fans an experience of a lifetime.

Consequently, Asake returned to the O2 Arena on September 22, 2024, for his second sold-out show. During this concert, Asake thrilled fans with performances of tracks from his third album Lungu Boy. The event drew the attention of stars like Grammy winner Wizkid and actor Idris Elba, who presented Asake with both a sold-out plaque and a BRIT silver plaque for his album Work Of Art.

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4. Burna Boy (1 sold-out concert - 2021)

Additionally, in 2021 Burna Boy, born Damini Ogulu performed at the O2 Arena and became yet another Nigerian artist to sell out the 02 Arena. This was with his Spaceship concert. Burna Boy captivated his audience throughout the show with his several jaw-dropping costume and electrifying performance. It was one of the hits of the night, but his standout performance was Ye which caused a euphoric response from the crowd. Notably, Burna Boy's O2 performance was a career-defining moment and it has put him firmly among Africa's biggest musical exports.

5. Rema (1 sold-out concert - 2023)

Furthermore, Rema, the 23-year-old Afrobeat sensation, became the youngest African artist to sell out the 02 Arena with his Ravage Uprising show in November 2023. The concert featured performances from fellow Mavin Records colleagues, Ayra Starr, Crayon, and Magixx. Rema's achievement shows the growing global appeal of Afrobeats among younger audiences.

Lastly, as Afrobeats continues to transcend borders, it is clear that Nigerian artists will remain a dominant force in the global music landscape. Their success has paved the way for future generations of artists, cementing Nigeria's position as a hub for musical talent.

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The MTV Video Music Awards, a global award show presented by the cable channel MTV to honour the best in the music video medium, is set to take centre stage again on September 11, 2024, at 1:00 am WAT from the UBS Arena in New York, USA.

Pop icon Taylor Swift leads the nominations with 10 nods. Rapper Post Malone comes in second, with nine nods – eight courtesy of his collab with Swift plus one for his hit “I Had Some Help,” featuring Morgan Wallen. Ariana Grande, Eminem, and Sabrina Carpenter (six nods each) follow, with Megan Thee Stallion and SZA coming behind (five each), and LISA, Olivia Rodrigo, and Teddy Swims all bagging four nominations each. Beginning today, fans can vote online for their preferred nominees across 15 categories through Friday, Aug. 30.

READ ALSO - Reactions trail Usher, Chris Brown, others' 2024 MTV VMAs Afrobeats nomination

Here’s the complete list of 2024 VMAs nominees:

Video of the year

Ariana Grande – “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” – Republic Records

Billie Eilish – “Lunch” – Darkroom / Interscope Records

Doja Cat – “Paint the Town Red” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records

Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records

SZA – “Snooze” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records

Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records

Artist of the year                    

Ariana Grande – Republic Records

Bad Bunny – Rimas Entertainment

Eminem – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records

Sabrina Carpenter – Island

SZA – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records

Taylor Swift – Republic Records

Song of the year

Beyoncé – “Texas Hold ‘Em” – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records

Jack Harlow – “Lovin on Me” – Generation Now / Atlantic Records

Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang, under exclusive license to Interscope Records

Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso” – Island

Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records

Teddy Swims – “Lose Control” – Warner Records

Best new artist

Benson Boone – Night Street Records, Inc. / Warner Records

Chappell Roan – Island

Gracie Abrams – Interscope Records

Shaboozey – American Dogwood / EMPIRE

Teddy Swims – Warner Records

Tyla – Epic Records

Best collaboration

Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA – “Rich Baby Daddy “ – OVO / Republic Records

GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion – “Wanna Be” – CMG / Interscope Records

Jessie Murph feat. Jelly Roll – “Wild Ones” – Columbia Records

Jung Kook feat. Latto – “Seven” – BIGHIT MUSIC / Geffen Records

Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen – “I Had Some Help” – Mercury / Republic / Big Loud

Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records

Best pop

Camila Cabello – Geffen / Interscope Records

Dua Lipa – Warner Records

Olivia Rodrigo – Geffen Records

Sabrina Carpenter – Island

Tate McCrae – RCA Records

Taylor Swift – Republic Records

Best hip-hop

Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA – “Rich Baby Daddy “ – OVO / Republic Records

Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records

GloRilla – “Yeah Glo!” – CMG / Interscope Records

Gunna – “fukumean” – Young Stoner Life Records / 300 Entertainment

Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Hot Girl Productions

Travis Scott feat. Playboi Carti – “FE!N” – Cactus Jack / Epic Records

Best R&B

Alicia Keys – “Lifeline” – AK Records, under exclusive license to gamma.

Muni Long – “Made for Me” – Def Jam

SZA – “Snooze” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records

Tyla – “Water” – FAX Records / Epic Records

Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage – “Good Good” – mega / gamma.

Victoria Monét – “On My Mama” – Lovett Music / RCA Records

Best alternative

Benson Boone – “Beautiful Things” – Night Street Records, Inc. / Warner Records

Bleachers – “Tiny Moves” – Dirty Hit

Hozier – “Too Sweet” – Columbia Records

Imagine Dragons – “Eyes Closed” – KIDinaKorner / Interscope Records

Linkin Park – “Friendly Fire” – This Compilation / Warner Records

Teddy Swims – “Lose Control (Live)” – Warner Records

Best rock

Bon Jovi – “Legendary” – Island

Coldplay – “feelslikeimfallinginlove” – Atlantic Records

Green Day – “Dilemma” – Reprise Records / Warner Records

Kings of Leon – “Mustang” – Capitol Records

Lenny Kravitz – “Human” – ℗© 2024 Roxie Records Inc. under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management GmbH

U2 – “Atomic City” – Interscope Records

Best Latin

Anitta – “Mil Veces” – Floresta Records / Republic Records / Universal Music Latin Entertainment

Bad Bunny – “Monaco” – Rimas Entertainment

Karol G – “Mi Ex Tenía Razón” – Bichota / Interscope Records

Myke Towers – “LaLa” – Warner Music Latina

Peso Pluma & Anitta – “Bellakeo” – Double P Records

Rauw Alejandro – “Touching the Sky” – Sony Music Latin / Duars Entertainment

Shakira & Cardi B – “Puntería” – Sony Music US Latin

Best Afrobeats

Ayra Starr ft. Giveon – “Last Heartbreak Song” – Mavin / Republic

Burna Boy – “City Boys” – Spaceship / Bad Habit / Atlantic Records

Chris Brown ft. Davido & Lojay – “Sensational” – Chris Brown Entertainment / RCA Records

Tems – “Love Me JeJe” – Since ’93 / RCA Records

Tyla – “Water” – FAX Records / Epic Records

Usher, Pheelz – “Ruin” – mega / gamma.

Best K-pop

Jung Kook ft. Latto – “Seven” – BIGHIT MUSIC / Geffen Records

LISA – “Rockstar” – Lloud Co. / RCA Records

NCT Dream – “Smoothie” – SM Entertainment / Virgin Music Group

NewJeans – “Super Shy” – ADOR / Geffen Records

Stray Kids – “LALALALA” – JYP Entertainment / Imperial / Republic Records

TOMORROW X TOGETHER – “Deja vu” – BIGHIT MUSIC / IMPERIAL / Republic Records

Video for good

Alexander Stewart – “if only you knew” – FAE grp

Billie Eilish – “What Was I Made For (From Barbie)” – Darkroom / Interscope Records

Coldplay – “feelslikeimfallinginlove” – Atlantic Records

Joyner Lucas & Jelly Roll – “Best for Me” – Twenty Nine Music Group

RAYE – “Genesis.” – Human Re Sources

Tyler Childers – “In Your Love” – Hickman Holler Records / RCA Records

MTV push performance of the year

August 2023: Kaliii – “Area Codes” – Atlantic Records

September 2023: GloRilla – “Lick or Sum” – CMG / Interscope Records

October 2023: Benson Boone – “In The Stars” – Night Street Records, Inc. / Warner Records

November 2023: Coco Jones – “ICU” – Def Jam

December 2023: Victoria Monét – “On My Mama” – Lovett Music / RCA Records

January 2024: Jessie Murph – “Wild Ones” – Columbia Records

February 2024: Teddy Swims – “Lose Control” – Warner Records

March 2024: Chappell Roan – “Red Wine Supernova” – Island

April 2024: Flyana Boss – “yeaaa” – vnclm_/ Atlantic Records

May 2024: Laufey – “Goddess” – Laufey / AWAL

June 2024: LE SSERAFIM – “EASY” – SOURCE MUSIC / Geffen Records

July 2024: The Warning – “Automatic Sun” – Lava / Republic Records

Technical awards

Best direction

Ariana Grande – “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” – Republic Records; directed by Christian Breslauer

Bleachers – “Tiny Moves” – Dirty Hit; directed by Alex Lockett & Margaret Qualley

Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records; directed by Rich Lee

Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Hot Girl Productions; directed by Daniel Iglesias Jr.

Sabrina Carpenter – “Please Please Please” – Island; directed by Barbia Zeinali

Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records; directed by Taylor Swift

Best cinematography

Ariana Grande – “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)”

Charli XCX – “Von dutch”

Dua Lipa – “Illusion”

Olivia Rodrigo – “obsessed”

Rauw Alejandro – “Touching the Sky”

Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone – “Fortnight”

Best editing

Anitta – “Mil Veces”

Ariana Grande – “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)”

Eminem – “Houdini”

LISA – “Rockstar”

Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso”

Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone – “Fortnight”

Best choreography

Bleachers – Tiny Moves

Dua Lipa – “Houdini”

LISA – “Rockstar”

Rauw Alejandro – “Touching the Sky”

Tate McCrae – “Greedy”

Troye Sivan – “Rush”

Best visual effects

Ariana Grande – “the boy is mine”

Eminem – “Houdini”

Justin Timberlake – “Selfish”

Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA”

Olivia Rodrigo – “get him back!”

Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone – “Fortnight”

Best art direction

Charli XCX – “360” –

LISA – “Rockstar”

Megan Thee Stallion

Olivia Rodrigo – “bad idea right?”

Sabrina Carpenter – “Please Please Please”

Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone – “Fortnight”

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So, at the 2024 BET Awards, Tems clinched the Best Gospel/Inspiration Song award for her single Me & U, marking a solitary victory for the Nigerian contingent.

Meanwhile, Burna Boy, a frontrunner in multiple categories, faced disappointment as he lost the BET awards 2024. So, he lost the awards for Best Hip Hop and Best R&B/Pop act to Kendrick Lamar and Usher, respectively. Similarly, rising star Ayra Starr was unable to secure any wins despite nominations, notably missing out on the Best New Artist award, which was claimed by Tyla. Although, Tyla also triumphed over Ayra Starr and Asake to clinch the Best International Act award.

Also, Seyi Vibez, making his debut BET nomination for Best New International Act, was edged out by South Africa's Makhadzi. Additionally, this narrowed the chances for Nigerian representation at the prestigious awards.

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See full list of winners:

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

11:11 – Chris Brown

A Gift & a Curse – Gunna

American Dream – 21 Savage

Coming Home – Usher

For All the Dogs (Scary Hours Edition) – Drake

Jaguar II – Victoria Monét

Michael – Killer Mike – WINNER

Pink Friday 2 – Nicki Minaj

BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST

Beyoncé

Coco Jones

Doja Cat

H.E.R.

Muni Long

SZA — WINNER

Tyla

Victoria Monét

BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST

Brent Faiyaz

Bryson Tiller

Burna Boy

Chris Brown

Drake

Fridayy

October London

Usher – WINNER

BEST GROUP

¥$ (Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign) – WINNER

2 Chainz & Lil Wayne

41

Blxst and Bino Rideaux

City Girls

FLO

Maverick City Music

WanMor

BEST COLLABORATION

All My Life – Lil Durk featuring J. Cole – WINNER

America Has a Problem (Remix) – Beyoncé featuring Kendrick Lamar

Barbie World – Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice with Aqua

Bongos – Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion

Carnival – ¥$ (Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign) featuring Rich the Kid and Playboi Carti

Don’t Play with It (Remix) – Lola Brooke featuring Latto and Yung Miami

Everybody – Nicki Minaj featuring Lil Uzi Vert

Good Good – Usher, Summer Walker and 21 Savage

Rich Baby Daddy – Drake featuring Sexyy Red and SZA

BEST FEMALE HIP-HOP ARTIST

Cardi B

Doja Cat

GloRilla

Ice Spice

Latto

Megan Thee Stallion

Nicki Minaj – WINNER

Sexyy Red

BEST MALE HIP-HOP ARTIST

21 Savage

Burna Boy

Drake

Future

Gunna

J. Cole

Kendrick Lamar – WINNER

Lil Wayne

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Agora Hills – Doja Cat

All My Life – Lil Durk featuring J. Cole

Barbie World – Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice with Aqua

Bongos – Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion

First Person Shooter – Drake featuring J. Cole

Good Good – Usher, Summer Walker and 21 Savage

On My Mama – Victoria Monét — WINNER

Rich Baby Daddy – Drake featuring Sexyy Red and SZA

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Benny Boom

Child.

Cole Bennett – WINNER

Dave Meyers

Janelle Monáe and Alan Ferguson

Offset

Tems

Tyler, the Creator

BEST NEW ARTIST

41

4Batz

Ayra Starr

Bossman Dlow

Fridayy

October London

Sexyy Red

Tyla – WINNER

DR. BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD

Award All of the Glory – Shirley Caesar

All Things – Kirk Franklin

Angel – Halle Bailey

Come Jesus Come – CeCe Winans

Do You Believe in Love? – Erica Campbell

God Problems – Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine and Chandler Moore

Me & U – Tems – WINNER

Try Love – Kirk Franklin

VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD

Agora Hills – Doja Cat

All My Life – Lil Durk featuring J. Cole

F–umean – Gunna

Lovin on Me – Jack Harlow

Made for Me – Muni Long

On My Mama – Victoria Monét

Rich Baby Daddy – Drake featuring Sexyy Red and SZA

Sensational – Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay

Texas Hold ‘Em – Beyoncé – WINNER

Water – Tyla

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT

Asake (Africa)

Aya Nakamura (France)

Ayra Starr (Africa)

BK’ (Brazil)

Cleo Sol (UK)

Focalistic (Africa)

Karol Conká (Brazil)

RAYE (UK)

Tiakola (France)

Tyla (Africa) – WINNER

VIEWER’S CHOICE: BEST NEW INTERNATIONAL ACT

Bellah (UK)

Cristale (UK)

Duquesa (Brazil)

Holly G (France)

Jungeli (France)

Makhadzi (Africa) – WINNER

Oruam (Brazil)

Seyi Vibez (Africa)

Tyler ICU (Africa)

BET HER

16 Carriages – Beyoncé

Blessings – Nicki Minaj featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard

Commas – Ayra Starr

Fly Girl – FLO featuring Missy Elliott

Hiss – Megan Thee Stallion

On My Mama – Victoria Monét — WINNER

Saturn – SZA

Yeah Glo! – GloRilla

BEST MOVIE

American Fiction

Bob Marley: One Love – WINNER

Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

The Book of Clarence

The Color Purple

The Equalizer 3

The Little Mermaid

BEST ACTOR

Anthony Mackie

Colman Domingo

Damson Idris

Denzel Washington – WINNER

Donald Glover

Idris Elba

Jeffrey Wright

Lakeith Stanfield

BEST ACTRESS

Angela Bassett

Ayo Edebiri

Coco Jones

Danielle Brooks

Fantasia

Halle Bailey

Issa Rae

Regina King — WINNER

YOUNGSTARS AWARD

Akira Akbar

Blue Ivy Carter – WINNER

Demi Singleton

Heiress Diana Harris

JaBria McCullum

Jalyn Hall

Leah Jeffries

Van Van

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

A’ja Wilson

Angel Reese – WINNER

Coco Gauff

Flau’jae Johnson

Juju Watkins

Naomi Osaka

Sha’Carri Richardson

Simone Biles

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

Anthony Edwards

Gervonta Davis

Jalen Brunson – WINNER

Jalen Hurts

Kyrie Irving

LeBron James

Patrick Mahomes

Stephen Curry

Get updates as they drop via X and Facebook

The post Nigerian artists face tough losses at 2024 BET Awards | See list of winners appeared first on NotjustOk.

This is according to reports that surfaced online on Saturday, June 8, 2024. This feat makes him the first African artist to reach this benchmark, solidifying his position as a trailblazer in the global music industry.

Wizkid joins an elite group of artists who have achieved this impressive feat, including Drake, Ed Sheeran, and Bad Bunny. His accomplishment is an evidence of his dedication, hard work, and the global appeal of his music.

This achievement is a significant milestone in Wizkid's illustrious career, which has seen him collaborate with international artists such as Beyoncé and Kanye West. His unique sound, which blends Afrobeats with international styles, has resonated with fans worldwide, contributing to his remarkable streaming figures.

Wizkid's success on Spotify is a reflection of the growing global recognition of African music and the artist's contribution to putting Afrobeats on the international map. As the first African artist to surpass 7 billion streams on Spotify, Wizkid has set a new standard for African artists, inspiring a new generation of musicians to strive for excellence.

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In an interview with New York Times' Culture Reporter, Reggie Ugwu, Tems expressed her initial disbelief upon receiving the invitation from her team.

“My team just messaged me like, ‘Yo, first of all, I have to send you something to sign. I was losing my mind. Like, What?!” she recounted, reflecting her excitement.

Tems shared that she accepted the NDA upon being invited to join Beyoncé in Los Angeles. The single Move, featured on Beyoncé’s Grammy-nominated album Reinassance, is the result of Tems’ time in the studio with the renowned singer.

Aside from Beyoncé, Tems has collaborated with other international celebrities such as Drake, Rihanna, and Future. She was featured on Future’s Grammy-winning song Wait For U, alongside Drake.

Tems’ rising influence in the music industry continues to grow, solidifying her as a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.

The post Tems reveals she signed agreement before collaborating with Beyoncé appeared first on NotjustOk.

The awards ceremony, set to air live from Los Angeles on Sunday, June 30, 2024, promises to be a night celebrating "Culture's Biggest Night."

Burna Boy, acclaimed as the African Giant, secured nominations in two major categories: Best Male Hip-Hop Artist and Best Male R&B/Pop Artist. He will compete against industry heavyweights including Drake, Usher, Chris Brown, Kendrick Lamar, Future, and Gunna.

Tems also received two significant nominations, being recognized in the Best Video Director and Best Gospel/Inspirational Song Award for Me & U.

Meanwhile, Ayra Starr, born Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, has had a standout year, receiving three nominations in total: Best New Artist, Best African Act, and Best HER for her single Commas, surpassing her Nigerian peers in nominations.

Additionally, Davido and Lojay are in the running for the Viewer’s Choice Award due to their collaboration on Chris Brown's Sensational. Asake is also nominated for Best International Act, and Seyi Vibez for Viewer’s Choice Best International New Act.

Globally, American rapper, Drake leads with seven nominations, followed closely by Nicki Minaj with six. J. Cole, Sexyy Red, SZA, and Victoria Monét each garnered five nominations. 21 Savage, Beyoncé, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, Tyla, and Usher each have four nominations.

The 2024 BET Awards, themed "Stand on Culture," will be broadcast live on BET at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

R&B is BACK! The nominees for BEST MALE R&B/POP Artist are STACKED! #BETAwards #CulturesBiggestNight@brentfaiyaz@chrisbrown@brysontiller@burnaboy@fridayy@OctoberTheKing@Usher@Drake pic.twitter.com/1r1TPYB1L0

— BET (@BET) May 16, 2024

The future of music is in good hands with these talented young stars! The #BETAwards nominees for Best New Artist are: @SexyyRed314_@Tyllaaaaaaa@OctoberTheKing@fridayy@bossman_dlow@ayrastarr@4Batzz
41 pic.twitter.com/emxC119JZp

— BET (@BET) May 16, 2024

Now you know we are always going to give flowers to the Queens!

The #BETAwards nominees for BET HER are:
- @Beyonce
- @NICKIMINAJ
- @ayrastarr
- @flolikethis @MissyElliott
- @theestallion
- @VictoriaMonet
- @sza
- @GloTheofficial pic.twitter.com/y1FACxmGtA

— BET (@BET) May 16, 2024

The nominees for Best Male Hip Hop Artist is truly a heavy weight fight!! #BETAwards #CulturesBiggestNight@21savage @Drake @kendricklamar @burnaboy @1future @1GunnaGunna @JColeNC @LilTunechi pic.twitter.com/TgHcKxVknr

— BET (@BET) May 16, 2024

Ayra Starr is the most nominated Nigerian Artist at this year’s BET Awards (3 nominations). pic.twitter.com/IfBRYoafK4

— 𝑨𝒚𝒓𝒂 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒓 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 (@ayracharts) May 16, 2024

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Reflecting on his journey as an artist, Fireboy disclosed his early struggles and aspirations to perform in front of large audiences. In an interview with RollingStone that surfaced online on Tuesday, April 22, 2024, he revealed his longstanding practice of envisioning himself on stage while composing his songs.

"Right from time, even when I used to write my saddest songs, I used to imagine myself playing them in front of millions of people. I always imagine myself on stage when I write my songs," Fireboy stated.

Despite his initial setbacks, Fireboy emphasized his commitment to personal growth and development as an artist. He outlined his approach of infusing energy from the studio into his live performances, prioritizing enjoyment and audience engagement.

Acknowledging his attempt to emulate Beyoncé's stage routine, Fireboy admitted the challenge of sustaining it, remarking, "There was a time I tried to copy Beyoncé’s routine. But I didn’t last two days."

“There was a time I tried to copy Beyonce's routine, I didn’t last 2 days"

- Fireboy pic.twitter.com/d3UcC4mfB0

— OLAMIDE (@Olamide0fficial) April 22, 2024

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While many acclaimed musicians have graced the Grammy stage, one notable absence remains: Tiwa Savage, the Afrobeat Queen.

Despite her undeniable talent, global acclaim, and groundbreaking contributions to the music landscape, Tiwa Savage is yet to secure the coveted Grammy Award recognition.

Here are six reasons why Tiwa Savage has no Grammy award nomination:

1. Limited representation of Afrobeats at the Grammys

One significant barrier to Tiwa Savage's Grammy aspirations is the limited representation of Afrobeats within the Grammy Awards ecosystem. While Afrobeats has gained international prominence in recent years, it has only recently secured a spot at the Grammy Awards, with fewer categories dedicated to the genre compared to more established genres like pop and hip-hop.

This limited representation poses a challenge for Tiwa Savage, making it difficult for her to gain visibility and recognition from Grammy voters.

2. Limited industry visibility and promotion

Another factor that may have contributed to Tiwa Savage's Grammy gap is the level of industry visibility and promotion afforded to her music.

While she has achieved considerable success in Africa and beyond, Tiwa Savage's mainstream breakthrough in Western markets, particularly the United States, has been relatively limited compared to some of her peers.

Grammy nominations often hinge on a combination of artistic merit and industry visibility, and without robust promotional campaigns and widespread exposure in key markets, Tiwa Savage's chances of catching the attention of Grammy voters may have been diminished.

3. Lack of adequate collaborations with Grammy-winning artists

Collaborations with Grammy-winning artists often increase an artist's chances of receiving Grammy recognition.

Unfortunately, Tiwa Savage may not have enough collaborations with the necessary artists to earn a Grammy nomination.

While she has collaborated with notable artists within the Afrobeats genre, such as Wizkid on Ma Lo and Bad, Burna Boy on Anything (For You), Brandy on Somebody's Son, Beyonce on Keys to the Kingdom and a few others, more collaborations with these Grammy-winning artists and others from other genres could enhance her visibility and appeal to Grammy voters.

4. Release gaps and album timing

Tiwa Savage's absence from Grammy recognition could be attributed to the extended period since her last album release, Water & Garri, in 2021.

With no follow-up albums since then, Tiwa Savage may have struggled to catch the attention of Grammy organizers and maintain visibility within the music industry. The lack of new material also deprives fans of prolonged listening enjoyment, potentially impacting her ability to engage audiences and garner the attention of Grammy voters. To improve her Grammy prospects, Tiwa Savage may need to focus on releasing new music to enhance her visibility and chances of securing the coveted Grammy recognition she deserves.

5. Fierce competition on the global stage

Grammy Awards are highly competitive, with thousands of submissions vying for a limited number of nomination slots in each category.

Grammy voters, who consist of industry professionals and experts, may have diverse tastes and preferences, making it challenging for artists like Tiwa Savage to stand out in a crowded field.

Additionally, voter dynamics and biases within the Grammy voting body may also play a role in determining nominations and winners, further complicating the process for artists from non-Western backgrounds.

6. Other Awards and Afrobeats royalty status

Despite the absence of Grammy recognition, Tiwa Savage remains a celebrated artist within the Afrobeats genre, earning numerous awards and accolades throughout her career.

Her status as the Afrobeats Queen is undisputed, with a loyal fan base and a string of chart-topping hits to her name. While the Grammy Awards hold significant prestige, Tiwa Savage's focus on other awards and her enduring legacy within the Afrobeats landscape may mitigate the absence of Grammy recognition.

Despite this Grammy gap, Tiwa Savage's impact on the music industry and her status as the Afrobeats Queen remain unparalleled, ensuring her continued success and influence within the global music landscape.

Get updates as they drop via Twitter and Facebook.

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The Mavin Records boss shared throwback music videos of songs he produced, including hits like D’Banj’s Why Me and Oliver Twist, Wande Coal’s The Kick, Ikechukwu’s Whine Am Well, and Korede Bello’s Godwin.

In a post on his Instagram page on Thursday, April 4, 2024, Don Jazzy expressed amusement at the possibility that his fans might have forgotten his capabilities as a master producer. To jog their memory, he shared a selection of iconic tracks he had a hand in creating. Notably, Don Jazzy also highlighted his production credit on the song Lift Off by Kanye West, Jay Z, and Beyoncé.

Accompanied by the caption, "It’s like you guys have forgotten I’m a master producer o. Let me remind you a bit." Don Jazzy’s gesture serves as a nostalgic reminder of his significant contributions to the music industry.

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Beyoncé has unveiled the tracklist for her upcoming album, "Cowboy Carter," a venture into country music, scheduled for release on Thursday. The announcement came via her Instagram account on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, generating excitement for her follow-up to the immensely successful "Renaissance" album, which was released in 2022 to widespread acclaim.

Artists featured on Beyonce's Cowboy Carter album

The much-awaited "Cowboy Carter" album will showcase collaborations with artists such as Shaboozey, Miley Cyrus, and Post Malone, adding to the excitement surrounding Beyoncé's venture into country music. According to reports, the album will be presented in the format of a country radio show, with legendary figures Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Linda Martell making appearances as DJs, further emphasizing the album's homage to the genre's roots.

Furthermore, the album will include covers of two iconic songs: Dolly Parton's "Jolene" and The Beatles' "Blackbird."

Beyonce's Cowboy Carter Tracklist

01 Ameriican Requiem
02 Blackbiird
03 16 Carriages
04 Protector
05 My Rose
06 Smoke Hour ★ Willie Nelson
07 Texas Hold ’Em
08 Bodyguard
09 Dolly P
10 Jolene
11 Daughter
12 Spaghettii
13 Alliigator Tears
14 Smoke Hour II
15 Just for Fun
16 II Most Wanted
17 Levii’s Jeans
18 Flamenco
19 The Linda Martell Show
20 Ya Ya
21 Oh Louisana
22 Desert Eagle
23 Riiverdance
24 II Hands II Heaven
25 Tyrant
26 Sweet ★ Honey ★ Buckiin’
27 Amen

Discover the Latest Afrobeats songs here and Get fresh updates as they via Twitter and Facebook

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The pivot to country music has been met with suspicion, excitement, confusion, and much more. The song, which dropped on Super Bowl Sunday on February 11 earlier this year, was a surprise hit on Beyonce’s brand new album. Titled ‘Cowboy Carter’, it seems will be heavily influenced by country music. 

The album cover features Beyonce clad in red-white-and-blue leather chaps, riding a horse with a large American flag behind her. Even that has garnered divisive opinions—since when is Beyonce a country artist? Let’s get to this question and many more below as we explore the lyrics, hype, and controversy surrounding this latest hit.

Digging Into the Lyrics

At just under four minutes long, "Texas Hold ‘Em" isn’t a complex hit. It’s an arrangement of plucky guitar notes, Beyonce’s soulful voice, and background accents. The song’s name is a reference to the wildly popular poker game of Texas Hold’em, which partly originated in the Lone Star state back during the Wild West era of dusty saloons and card rooms. 

Despite the historical relevance of the game, Texas Hold’em poker remains hugely popular for online players. Estimates place the global player pool at around 100 million people, many of whom cut their teeth online with the hopes of qualifying for in-person tournaments. The game is even broadcast on major channels like ESPN. 

In other words, Beyonce’s choice to focus on Texas Hold’em at once places her in country music territory—but with a game that people around the world recognize.

Country Roots

Again, you might be wondering what could be so controversial about Beyonce stepping into a country music role. After all, she’s from Houston and grew up attending rodeos—what’s more country than that? Throw in the reality that around one-quarter of all US cowboys during the Wild West era were black and there’s even more reason to say that Beyonce, though she came up in the pop scene, has strong country roots.

But there’s a strong divide in the US between who is ‘allowed’ to represent country music. This has many historical nuances—but there’s often a feeling of vilification amongst many country-loving communities. Country fans are often from rural, poor, and under-served communities. To see a pop star billionaire like Beyonce display her country pride by riding around on a horse in Americana gear feels disingenuous for those who didn’t realize she was part of the musical scene.

Country Questions

Pop stars moving into the country space is viewed as controversial. Even Taylor Swift, who began as a country musician, has received flack for transitioning back and forth into pop music. It seems that country music has existed in a world of its own—its listeners simply aren’t used to musicians dipping a toe into the territory. 

But Beyonce is far from the first non-country star to flex her country skills. Rapper Nelly has collaborated with the Florida Georgia Line (‘Lil Bit’, 2021) and Tim McGraw (‘Over and Over’, 2004), making crossover hits for well over a decade. The idea that country music must be squarely within the genre is a purist argument—one that won’t win over the music industry or its fans.

Tugging on Historical Strings

You may be picking up on deeply cultural and historical notes in this article—which is a great summary about why ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ has been so controversial. At its simplest, it’s a four-minute song about general, almost mindless country fluff (mentioning dive bars, life’s difficulties, and hoedowns). At its most complex, it’s part of an ongoing battle to define what is country music within the context of the American identity. However, it seems that this debate is raging only within the bounds of the US, which means Beyonce could become the US's greatest ambassador for country music abroad.

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