Nigerian afrobeats superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, stole the show at the 23rd BET Awards with his electrifying performance on Sunday night at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California. The OBO crooner wowed the audience with a medley of his hit songs ‘Feel’ and ‘Unavailable’ from his latest album, ‘Timeless’.
Davido’s scintillating performance had the crowd bouncing and streaming with excitement. As the second Nigerian artist to perform at the “Culture’s Biggest Night” after Fireboy DML’s performance last year, Davido proved that afrobeats is making waves on the global stage.
In a side interview with Billboard’s Neena Rouhani, Davido discussed the explosive surge of afrobeats in the USA. He expressed his joy at performing at the prestigious BET Awards, stating, “I feel good performing tonight. It should be big. It should be amazing; it’s the first time I’m performing at the [BET] Awards, and I’m excited.”
Davido reminisced about his time living in America as an African and how he used to share African music with his American friends, who grew to love it. He always believed that if afrobeats artists had the opportunity to be heard, the genre would eventually gain global recognition. His performance at the BET Awards serves as a testament to the growing popularity and acceptance of afrobeats in mainstream music.
The rise of afrobeats as a genre has been steadily gaining momentum over the past decade. Artists like Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Tiwa Savage have successfully blended African rhythms with contemporary sounds, creating a unique and infectious musical style that resonates with audiences worldwide. This fusion of African and Western influences has resulted in a global phenomenon, with afrobeats crossing cultural boundaries and captivating music lovers across the globe.
The 23rd BET Awards celebrated not only the achievements of artists in music but also in TV, film, and sports. This year’s event marked the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop, with Busta Rhymes receiving the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to the genre.
Watch Davido’s BET Awards 2023 Performance
As Davido’s performance took center stage at the BET Awards, it showcased the undeniable impact of afrobeats on the global music scene. The genre’s fusion of infectious rhythms, vibrant melodies, and diverse cultural influences has captivated audiences worldwide, breaking down barriers and creating a sense of unity through music.
Besides, Migos’ Offset & Quavo Reunite at 2023 BET Awards for First Performance Since Takeoff’s Death
The 2023 BET Awards witnessed a heartwarming and unexpected reunion as Offset and Quavo, members of the rap trio Migos, took the stage to perform a Migos classic and pay tribute to their late bandmate Takeoff. The performance occurred about an hour into the show, with a striking visual of a rocket on the screens. Amidst smoke and lasers, Offset and Quavo emerged into a spotlight, dancing to Takeoff’s verse from “Hotel Lobby,” a track from their 2022 spin-off project Unc & Phew.
As they pointed at the screen, which transformed from the rocket to a photo of the late rapper, the duo passionately shouted, “Do it for Take!” It was a touching homage to Takeoff, who tragically passed away at the age of 28 in November of the previous year.
Watch Offset & Quavo’s BET Awards 2023 Performance
Full List of Winners at the 23rd BET Awards:
ALBUM OF THE YEAR (TIE)
SOS – SZA
RENAISSANCE – Beyoncé
BEST COLLABORATION
WAIT FOR U – Future feat. Drake & Tems
BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST
SZA
BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST (TIE)
Chris Brown
Usher
BEST NEW ARTIST
Coco Jones
BEST GROUP
Drake x 21 Savage
BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST
Latto
BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST
Kendrick Lamar
DR. BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
Bless Me – Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin
BET HER AWARD
Break My Soul – Beyoncé
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Kill Bill – SZA
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Teyana “Spike Tey” Taylor
BEST MOVIE
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
BEST ACTRESS
Angela Bassett
BEST ACTOR
Damson Idris
YOUNGSTARS AWARD
Marsai Martin
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Angel Reese
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
Jalen Hurts
VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD
Break My Soul – Beyoncé
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
Burna Boy
