Musicians and music lovers across Africa and the UK will finally heave a sigh of relief as their cries and complaints over what has been described over the years as a ‘backstage’ awards has been heard.
For the very first time in the history of the BET Awards, the Best International Act award will be presented on main stage. 
This, was announced on Wednesday May 216 2018 prior to the official release of the nominees for the Best International Act category for the 2018 BET Awards.
According to the organisers of the awards, the winner of the category will be announced live during the main awards show unlike it has been in previous years where the winner was announced and filmed in a separate room few hours before the main awards show.
A statement issued by BET Africa stated;
“For the first time ever, the #BETAwards2018 Best International Act category winner will be presented on the main stage.”
The call for the organisers to duly honour the African acts and show them enough ‘respect’ by rewarding them in the presence of all just like it is done in other categories had been long coming as previous nominees including Fuse ODG and Wizkid had openly expressed their dissatisfaction about it on social media and even boycotted the awards at some point in time.
In 2015, award winning UK based Ghanaian musician Fuse ODG directed a missile at organizers of the BET Awards and explained why he boycotted the awards despite being nominated for the Best International Act, UK. He explained by saying, “the reason why I didn’t come is because you give our awards backstage! You have no respect for our hard work and achievements.”
Fuse ODG eventually lost out on the category to Stormzy.
Wizkid also in the same year boycotted the pre award shows and interviews and laughed over it on social media after being informed the organisers were not pleased with his decision to boycott it.
In a post, he said, “Lol So I’m hearing BET is mad cos I didn’t come for the pre shows and interviews! Lol.”[irp posts=”28597″ name=”BET Awards 2018 Snubs Ghanaian Acts – See The Full List”]
The nominations for next month’s ceremony were announced Tuesday night.
Among the awards Khaled was nominated for include album of the year for Grateful and video of the year for Wild Thoughts which featured Rihanna and Bryson Tiller.
Ghana however missed out in the Best International Act category for this year as none of its artists could make the category.
The group has however been tightened especially as the Best International Act Africa and Best International Act UK categories have been merged.
Below is the list for Best International Act for 2018 BET Awards;
The Best International Act Award
Booba (France)
Cassper Nyovest (SA)
Dadju (France)
Davido (Nigeria)
Distruction Boyz (SA)
Fally Ipupa (Dr. Congo)
J Hus (UK)
Niska (France)
Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
Stefflon Don (UK)
Stormzy (UK)
The BET Awards will air live on BET on June 24 from Los Angeles.
[CREDIT]
