Afrofusion artist, Burna Boy has won the award for ‘Best International Act’ at the just concluded 2019 edition of the BET Awards. Taking home the prize ahead of fellow Afropop luminary, Mr Eazi, and international stars like Dave, Giggs and Aya Nakamura, Burna’s win confirms two (trite) things: Afropop is holding steady as a global phenomenon and Burna is continuing his reign as the genre’s MVP.

Last year was the first time ‘Best International Act’ was combined into one category to encompass artists from Africa and Europe, with Burna succeeding last year’s winner and fellow Afropop giant, Davido. Unlocking another milestone this year, Burna’s new prize follows his Coachella performance from earlier in the, as well as his ongoing African Giant tour.

Although Burna was in attendance, apparently slipping out of the venue few minutes prior to the announcement, Burna’s mom and manager, Bose Ogulu accepted the award on the singer’s behalf, delivering a terse but rousing acceptance speech, encouraging Pan-Africanism, an idea Burna himself is passionate about.

You can watch the acceptance speech in the video below, and read the full list of winners (boldly highlighted) at the 2019 BET Awards below.

We love our International Family ❤️ Congrats @burnaboy! #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/aUULrm66DB

— #BETAwards (@BETAwards) June 24, 2019

Best international act

AKA (South Africa)

Aya Nakamura (France)

Burna Boy (Nigeria) *WINNER

Dave (U.K.)

Dosseh (France)

Giggs (U.K.)

Mr Eazi (Nigeria)

Video of the year

21 Savage featuring J. Cole, “A Lot”

Cardi B, “Money”

Cardi B and Bruno Mars, “Please Me”

Childish Gambino, “This Is America” *WINNER

Drake, “Nice for What”

The Carters, “Apeshit”

Best female R&B/pop artist

Beyoncé *WINNER

Ella Mai

H.E.R. Solange

SZA

Teyana Taylor.

Best male R&B/pop artist

Anderson .Paak

Bruno Mars *WINNER

Childish Gambino

Chris Brown

John Legend

Khalid

Best female hip-hop artist

Cardi B *WINNER

Kash Doll

Lizzo

Megan Thee Stallion

Nicki Minaj

Remy Ma

Best male hip-hop artist

21 Savage

Drake

J. Cole

Meek Mill

Nipsey Hussle *WINNER

Travis Scott

Best new artist

Blueface

City Girls

Juice WRLD

Lil Baby *WINNER

Queen Naija

Best group

Chloe x Halle

City Girls

Lil Baby and Gunna

Migos *WINNER

The Carters

Best collaboration

21 Savage featuring J. Cole, “A Lot”

Cardi B and Bruno Mars, “Please Me”

Cardi B featuring J Balvin and Bad Bunny, “I Like It”

H.E.R. featuring Bryson Tiller, “Could’ve Been”

Travis Scott featuring Drake, “Sicko Mode” *WINNER

Tyga featuring Offset, “Taste”

Album of the year

Cardi B, “Invasion of Privacy” *WINNER

Ella Mai, “Ella Mai”

Meek Mill, “Championships”

The Carters, “Everything Is Love”

Travis Scott, “Astroworld”

Viewers’ choice award

Cardi B featuring J Balvin and Bad Bunny, “I Like It”

Childish Gambino, “This Is America”

Drake, “In My Feelings”

Ella Mai, “Trip” *WINNER

J. Cole, “Middle Child”

Travis Scott featuring Drake, “Sicko Mode”

Dr. Bobby Jones best gospel/inspirational award

Erica Campbell featuring Warryn Campbell, “All of My Life”

Fred Hammond, “Tell Me Where It Hurts”

Kirk Franklin, “Love Theory”

Snoop Dogg featuring Rance Allen, “Blessing Me Again” *WINNER

Tori Kelly featuring Kirk Franklin, “Never Alone”

Best actress

Issa Rae

Regina Hall

Regina King *WINNER

Taraji P. Henson

Tiffany Haddish

Viola Davis

Best actor

Anthony Anderson

Chadwick Boseman

Denzel Washington

Mahershala Ali

Michael B. Jordan *WINNER

Omari Hardwick

Best movie

“BlacKkKlansman” *WINNER

“Creed 2″

“If Beale Street Could Talk”

“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”

“The Hate U Give”

Young stars award

Caleb McLaughlin

Lyric Ross

Marsai Martin *WINNER

Michael Rainey Jr.

Miles Brown

Sportswoman of the year

Allyson Felix

Candace Parker

Naomi Osaka

Serena Williams *WINNER

Simone Biles

Sportsman of the year

Kevin Durant

LeBron James

Odell Beckham Jr.

Stephen Curry *WINNER

Tiger Woods

BET HER award

Alicia Keys, “Raise a Man”

Ciara, “Level Up”

H.E.R., “Hard Place” *WINNER

Janelle Monae, “PYNK”

Queen Naija, “Mama’s Hand”

Teyana Taylor, “Rose in Harlem”

Video director of the year

Benny Boom

Colin Tilley

Dave Meyers

Hype Williams

Karena Evans *WINNER

Best new international act

Headie One (U.K.)

Jok’Air (France)

Nesly (France)

Octavian (U.K.)

Sho Madjozi (South Africa) *WINNER

Teni (Nigeria)

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/BurnaBoyGram
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