The #MTVEMAs was last night and in case you haven’t heard yet, the African Giant himself, Burna Boy, won the award for the “Best Africa Act” ahead of fellow Nigerian Teni The Entertainer, South Africa’s Nasty C and Prince Kaybee, Tanzania’s Harmonie and Togolese super group Toofan.
With his 2019 MTV EMA win, Burna Boy joins an exclusive list of Nigerian superstar artistes who have won the much coveted international honour. Past Nigerian winners of the MTV EMA Best Africa Act award include 2Baba Idibia, D’Banj, Tiwa Savage and Davido.
It also points towards Nigeria’s dominance on the continent, particularly in the past few years. Tiwa Savage, Davido and Burna Boy make up the three Nigerians that have won the “Best Africa Act” at the MTV EMAs for the past three years. Here’s a little breakdown:
Davido (2017):
Coming off mega-hit singles like “Fall” & “If” as well as “FIA” and “Pere”, 2017 was the year Davido’s crossover into western markets really started to gain steam. That’s why it wasn’t a surprise when the self-proclaimed omo baba olowo was nominated and won.
Tiwa Savage (2018):
Tiwa shattered records in 2018 when she became the first Nigerian woman ever to win the “Best Africa Act” award since the category first debuted in 2005. She was up against the likes of Davido; South Africa’s Distruction Boyz and Shekinah; Kenya’s Nyashinski and Fally Ipupa from the DRC.
Burna Boy (2019):
From several sold out tour dates, a Coachella performance, critically acclaimed album and a guest spot of Beyonce’s soundtrack album for the live action Lion King remake, the Don Gorgon has not slowed the pace he picked up in 2018. Joining the league of Nigerian artistes who have won this award, this award is his 11th of the year so far.
Will Nigerian acts continue to dominate awards like this? I guess we’ll find out. In the meantime, congratulations to Burna Boy! We stan all day every day and three times on Wednesdays!
