By John Ikani
Nigeria’s music sensation Burna Boy has clinched the award of Top Afrobeats Artist at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards in the United States.
Fellow Nigerian artist Rema, in collaboration with Selena Gomez, secured victory in the category of Top Afrobeats Song for their track “Calm Down.”
The Afrobeats categories are among nine new categories introduced this year to acknowledge the evolving landscape and widespread influence of the global music industry.
During his acceptance speech, Burna Boy graciously dedicated his triumph “to Africa and every artist emerging from Africa at this moment.”
Rema expressed his gratitude, emphasizing that the recognition for the song “Calm Down” is “a celebration of unity and the global dominance of Afrobeats.”
He extended thanks to Selena Gomez, Mavin Records (Nigeria’s record label), and his loyal fan base for their unwavering support.
Selena Gomez, in turn, credited Rema for the shared success, stating, “This is honestly Rema’s doing. He chose me to be a part of such an incredible song.”
This year’s awards ceremony marked a departure from tradition as it was hosted at multiple locations with performances from Mariah Carey, David Guetta, among others.
