History of the BET International Act Award: What Bettors Should Know in 2025

The Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards have long been a significant platform for celebrating Black excellence in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment. While initially focused on American artists, the introduction of the Best International Act award marked a pivotal moment in recognizing the global impact of Black artists. This award, in its current consolidated format, was first presented in 2018, and has since become a keenly watched category, reflecting the burgeoning influence of artists from Africa, Europe, and beyond. For bettors looking ahead to 2025, understanding the history and trends of this award can offer valuable insights.

The Early Years and Inaugural Winner

The BET Award for Best International Act, in its unified form, was established in 2018. Prior to this, there were separate categories for different regions, such as Best International Act: Africa and Best International Act: UK. The 2018 award brought together a diverse field of nominees from across the globe.

In its inaugural year, Nigerian superstar Davido took home the coveted award. His win signalled the significant impact of Afrobeats on the global music scene. Other nominees in that foundational year included Tiwa Savage (Nigeria), Distruction Boyz (South Africa), J Hus (UK), Stefflon Don (UK), and Dadju (France). This diverse list immediately established the award’s broad geographical scope.

The Reign of Burna Boy and Nigerian Dominance

The years following the award’s inception saw a remarkable run by another Nigerian artist, Burna Boy. He first won the award in 2019 and went on to secure it again in 2020 and 2021. After a brief interruption, Burna Boy reclaimed the title in 2023, making him a four-time winner in this category. This period firmly cemented Nigeria’s position as a powerhouse in the international music landscape, particularly within the Afrobeats genre.

During these years, other Nigerian artists like Mr Eazi and Wizkid also received nominations, further highlighting the country’s strong representation. Artists from the UK, such as Dave and Stormzy, and French artists like Aya Nakamura, were also consistent nominees, indicating their sustained international appeal.

Diversification and New Champions

While Nigerian artists, and Burna Boy in particular, have had a significant impact, the award has also celebrated talent from other regions and showcased a diversification in winners. In 2022, Nigerian singer Tems broke through to win the award, becoming the first female Nigerian and African artist to achieve this in the unified category. Her win was a significant moment, underscoring the rising global influence of female African artists.

The 2024 award saw South African singer Tyla clinch the title. This win was notable as it highlighted the growing international recognition of Amapiano, a genre originating from South Africa, and marked another victory for Southern Africa in this category.

What Bettors Should Know for 2025

As bettors look towards the 2025 BET Award for Best International Act, several historical trends and patterns offer potential guidance:

• Nigerian Powerhouse:Nigerian artists have an exceptional track record, with winners in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. This strong showing makes Nigerian nominees, especially those with significant global buzz, strong contenders in 2025.
• South African Resurgence:South Africa has consistently produced nominees and secured wins with Tyla in 2024 and Sjava and Distruction Boyz being nominated in the early years. Tyla and Uncle Waffles (Swaziland, with strong South African musical ties) are nominated again for 2025, indicating continued strength from the region.
• UK and French Consistency:Artists from the United Kingdom and France are frequently nominated, reflecting their established music industries and international reach. For 2025, UK artists Bashy and Ezra Collective, and French artists Joé Dwèt Filé and Sdm are in the running.
• The Rise of New Stars:While established names like Burna Boy have dominated, the wins by Tems and Tyla demonstrate that newer artists with significant global impact can triumph.
• Brazilian Presence:Artists from Brazil have increasingly featured in the nominee list in recent years, with Emicida (2021), Ludmilla (2022), L7nnon (2023), and BK’ and Karol Conká (2024) all receiving nominations. For 2025, Any Gabrielly and Mc Luanna represent Brazil, suggesting a growing recognition of talent from this nation.
• Repeat Nominees:Artists who receive multiple nominations over the years, even without a win, demonstrate consistent recognition by the BET voting academy.
• Global Crossover Appeal:Winners often have significant crossover success and visibility in the year preceding the awards. Artists who have charted internationally, collaborated with major global acts, or had viral moments tend to be strong contenders.

Conclusion

The BET Award for Best International Act has evolved into a prestigious accolade that mirrors the shifting dynamics of global music. From its early days, the award has highlighted the immense talent pool outside the United States. While Nigerian artists, led by the formidable Burna Boy, have historically been a dominant force, the victories of Tems and Tyla signal a broadening landscape.

For bettors eyeing the 2025 awards, a keen understanding of these historical trends, coupled with an awareness of current musical waves and artists making significant international inroads, will be crucial.