3rd July, 2014
Funsho Arogundade
Few weeks after he won multiple awards at the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards held in Durban, South Africa, Davido has added another award to his profile.
Davido on 29 June clinched the trophy for Best International Act: Africa, at the 2014 edition of the BET Award which took place at the Nokia Theatre, Los Angeles, United States.
Davido beat fellow compatriot and Mavin Records’ first lady, Tiwa Savage; Ghana’s past winner, Sarkodie; Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania); Mafikizolo (South Africa) and Toofan (Togo) to clinch the award also known as the “Black World Cup,” according to hilarious host Chris Rock.
The Nigerian star took to twitter to announce to his fans and thank them for the support: “Thanks to all my fans!! WE WON @BETAwards BEST AFRICAN ACT 2014!! so happy!! Time to party!”.
P.M.NEWS Showbiz Trends learnt that as usual Davido received his plaque during the backstage presentation preceding the main award proper.
One of the adjudicators for BET’s International Acts – Africa category, told a Ghanaian entertainment website why Davido and other past winners in that category keep shutting out of the BET glamorous stage to receive their statuettes back 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,” the adjudicator said.
He continued: “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…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.”
Nevertheless, it was a night full of electrifying performances, emotional speeches and unforgettable moments. The night also had British-Nigerian Chiwetal Ejiofor picking the Best Actor’s statuette.
Young Money and Beyoncé both took home three awards, as did acclaimed film 12 Years A Slave which swept the film award category. Pharrell Williams and August Alsina each also won two awards, while actress and presenter Kerry Washington, making her first television appearance since giving birth to daughter Isabelle in April, got in on the night’s fun with co-presenter Kevin Hart, who tried to convince the crowd that he was, in fact, Oliver Pope, a reference to Kerry’s alter-ego Olivia Pope on her hit show “Scandal”.
Pharrell Williams, who opened the show with an energetic rendition of “Come Get It Babe”, came on stage again to present music icon Lionel Richie with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The BET Awards is one of the most watched award shows on cable television according to the Nielsen Company. It recognizes the triumphs and successes of artists, entertainers and athletes in 19 categories.