BET Awards: Tems' Me & U Wins Best Gospel/Inspirational Category, Nigerians Ask Questions
- Singer Temilade Openiyi, best known as Tems, made history as the only Nigerian to bring home a BET award this year
- However, Tems' victory at the just concluded ceremony spurred mixed reactions online, considering the category she won
- The Afrosoul artist was nominated with top international gospel acts like CeCe Winans, Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music and more
- AKSTREETZ, a Nigerian Entertainment Consultant, had a brief chat with Legit.ng over Tems' BET category win and her influence on the American scene
The 2024 BET Awards ceremony, held on Sunday, June 30, at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, was a huge success, as Taraji P. Henson returned to host the show for the third consecutive year.
Nigeria's Afrobeats/Afrosoul artist Temilade Openiyi, best known as Tems, returned home with an award for Best Gospel/Inspirational category.
Source: Instagram
American star rapper Drake received the most nominations (seven in total). Usher got the lifetime achievement award during the live telecast.
The report had it that Tems bagged the Best Gospel/Inspirational with her hit single Me & U ahead of Shirley Caesar's "Award All of the Glory", Kirk Franklin's "All Things", and CeCe Winans' "Come Jesus Come". Others in the category were Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore's "God Problems", Erica Campbell's Do You Believe in Love?" and Halle Bailey's "Angel".
Tems' imprints are visible in the American music scene
In a chat with Legit.ng AKSTREETZ, a Nigerian Entertainment Consultant, explained that Tems' wasn't out of the ordinary and emphasised the impact of Afrobeats and Tems' contributions to the American music scene.
"Tems' winning the BET Best Gospel/Inspirational Category wasn't strange. The Black American community can't ignore the imprints of Afrobeats, and if they feel it suits the category, so be it.
"Note that the award organisers must have their own rules and reasons. So, it would be unprofessional for me to say they are biased or anything. Tems' imprints are visible in the American music scene. I sincerely believe she deserves the award."
Nigerians react to Tems' BET award win
Many shared their confusion about Tems' song as they tried to figure out if it was gospel, considering the lineup it had to contend with.
Legit.ng compiled the reactions below:
@ENeqxie:
"This is disgusting...which king yeye gospel???? BET is trash"
@broccoliboygreg:
"Gospel as in she be Tope Alabi or Wetin."
@ModeLebube:
"When she sang CRAZY THINGS ARE HAPPENING! U all thought she ways capping abi ? U gon learn."
@kontraszn:
"Me and u Gospel and inspirational!? This is blatant rubbish.... They are exploiting us."
@poshestduwa:
"Well it could pass off as a gospel song… I mean the lyrics literally."
@Homiebishop:
"Gospel song shey the organizers dey ment."
@ThePeakSanti:
"Explain in Football Terms."
@Ayobamilized:
"I don't even know the football term to use... because, how she take win this award."
@OyinAtiBode:
"That's our girl! Though this is my first time hearing about the award name. Shebi Dem don rank her for Gospel and she win Abi? No problems then."
@Ralphbezz:
"Tems Gospel Ke, can someone explain this to me?"
Davido professes admiration for Tems
Nigerian singer David Adeleke, best known as Davido, earlier triggered a flurry of emotion with a recent post honouring Tems.
The former DMW boss praised Tems' hit single, Me and You. She co-produced the track with the Ghanaian DJ GuiltyBeatz.
However, many who came across the post gave it different meanings.
Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
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Source: Legit.ng
