KO, Uncle Waffles, and Pabi Cooper Garner BET Awards 2023 Nods
The Black Entertainment Television (BET) network released the official nominations list for this year’s BET Awards, celebrating Black excellence across various disciplines, including but not limited to music, creativity, and sportsmanship. Three South African artists secured nominations for the BET Awards 2023 set to be held on the 25th of June 2023.
For this year’s instalment, hip-hop star K.O and Coachella-headlining DJ Uncle Waffles garnered nods in the Best International Act category. Amapiano vocalist Pabi Cooper, on the other hand, is in the running for Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act, a fan-voted award.
The nomination for this year’s award is K.O’s first as a solo artist but also marks his second overall, having been nominated for the gong as a member of Teargas back in 2011. The rapper who made waves with his smash hit, “SETE”, took to social media to share the news, saying, “Slide me in your prayers and blessings. uMfoka Mdluli uyazibongela.”
Swaziland-born disc jockey Uncle Waffles was succinct in her gratitude, posting: “Oh, that’s crazy.”
“Isphithiphithi” hit maker Pabi shared the news of her nomination by posting: “NOMINATED FOR THE BET AWARDS.”
Past South African winners of the Best International Act accolade include Grammy-winning DJ Black Coffee, who remains the only winner in the category back in 2016 (Best International Act: Africa). And for Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act, pop star Sho Madjozi and amapiano songbird Shasha have scooped the gong for the Mzansi music industry.
Here are the full list of nominees:
Best International Act
Aya Nakamura (France)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Central Cee (UK)
Ella Mai (UK)
KO (South Africa)
L7nnon (Brazil)
Stormzy (UK)
Tiakola (France)
Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)
Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act
Asake (Nigeria)
Camidoh (Ghana)
Flo (UK)
Libianca (Cameroon)
Maureen (France)
MC Ryan SP (Brazil)
Pabi Cooper (South Africa)
Raye (UK)
Werenoi (France)