BET DISDAIN FOR AFRICAN ARTIST

The 2015 BET awards has come and gone with music heavy weights honored for their exceptional performance in the year in review.
However, the problems of African artistes under the category of Best International Acts Lingers- the problem of treating them with sheer disdain, and second rated acts.

Masquerade234 wonder why African acts who are commanding respect round the globe in the music world, would be given awards in the first world nation backyard.

Ghana’s Stone boy beat Sarkodie, Wizkid, Yemi Alade & AKA to take home the Best International Act (Africa) Award and just like recipients before him he received his award in front of an empty room, 5 hours before the event began. The organizers could not even give him the privilege of airing his acceptance speech during the live broadcast which also aired last night.

This happened with Ice Prince in 2013 & Davido last year.

Last year Ghanacelebrities.com spoke to KKD who is one of the African Adjudicators for BET’s International Acts – Africa, and he explained why BET organizers usually give African acts their awards off stage

First, BET is a huge American brand so their audience is Americans or people living in America. They have a responsibility to their audience, to generate income, pay taxes to the government of America, create employment, promote artistes or performers with their culture, and to be competitive in their market.
Because of all these, they won’t lose what we call ‘the battle for the eye ball.’ So BET is doing us good by giving us (Africans) nominations or awards in their award scheme. BET may create opportunities for Africans by giving us nomination or award, recognize us for our culture or learn from them, but they do not see us as superior over theirs! They give recognition and praise to their best thinkers, creators, manufacturers, etc. Already, we don’t see our artistes or musicians as big! We see artistes in UK or America as bigger than our own, so the point is, in as much as we don’t see the greatness in our own; we shouldn’t expect others to see them as such!
Besides, not all awards are given on stage in this world. It happens at the OSCARS. I’m not justifying BET’s actions anyway. I’ve raised concerns on this issue before at BET’s jury meetings many times. I hope the status quo may change someday. All great cultures, appreciates their own! Let’s start believing and celebrating our own and others will follow suit.

He also advised the African acts nominated to
Book a flight, book a hotel and fly all the way to America. It may not necessarily be about the award, but the artiste can use the privilege to build link, network, or collaborate with producers, artistes, media outfits, distribution and marketing outfits, etc.

See list of winners at the BET awards 2015:

Best International Act UK:             Stormz

Best International Act Africa:        Stonebwoy

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist:       Beyoncé

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist:           Chris Brown

Best Group:                                     Rae Sremmurd

Best Collaboration:                        Common and John Legend – “Glory”

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist:             Kendrick Lamar

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist:         Nicki Minaj

Video of the Year:                          Beyonce – “7/11”

Video Director of the Year:           Beyonce, Ed Burke and Todd Tourso

Best New Artist:                              Sam Smith

Best Gospel Artist:                         Lecrae

Best Actress:                                    Taraji P. Henson

Best Actor:                                      Terrence Howard

Youngstars Award:                         Mo’ne Davis

 Best Movie:                                    “Selma”

 Sportswoman of the Year:             Serena Williams

Sportsman of the Year:                  Stephen Curry

Viewer’s Choice Award:                Nicki Minaj Ft. Drake, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown – “Only”

Centric Award:

The Weekend – “Earned It”