BET has a tendency of awarding African artist at backstage, far away from the audience and millions of viewers from around the world catching up with the event.

2015 BET gala witnessed two African artists bagging the coveted prize; Ghanaian Stonebwoy (Best International Act; Africa and Ugandan Eddy Kenzo (International Viewers’ Choice)

The two musicians were handed over their prize far away from where the main action was taking place. Eddy Kenzo’s win surprised many given that he wasn’t even on the list of BET winners that every news outlets published.

This discrimination of African artists by BET saw thousands launching complains. Willy Paul expressed his disbelief regarding the same.

BET director, Lilian Blankson has since responded to the backlash from Africans. Blankson says African artists should push their music on international platform instead of crying like little babies.

She further added that criticizing BET wouldn’t help since they have nothing to lose if they drop the category set aside for African artists; Best International Act- Africa.

The BET director also blamed African musicians who have been nominated and won BET award for not telling the continent the truth of what really transpires during the award.

Below are Blankson’s tweets:

Cc: Lalasticlala

Load of bullocks! When MTV introduced best African act to the EMA, did They play Africa music in Europe? Danni won the first edition and he was handed the award during the main show. They must have forgotten that the show is not aired in USA only anymore. If they feel that African artists are not up to their standards, then they should just scrap the best African act category entirely.

Shoro niyen ?

They better scrap the category then..

Thrash. They give homebased african artistes awards earlier before the main event! She still didnt make any point!

Dbanj been making africa proud since time immemorial.

PS: I'm Igbo and i still rate Bangalee higher than Don Jazzy anyday.


Cc: lalasticlala

Sinnzu:
Thrash. They give homebased african artistes awards earlier before the main event! She still didnt make any point!

Dbanj been making africa proud since time immemorial.

PS: I'm Igbo and i still rate Bangalee higher than Don Jazzy anyday.


Cc: lalasticlala

Pls na what is it?! am not in support of what BET did...but what is the connection with you being igbo...who asked you? whether you like dbanj or not...why did you have to mention being igbo and donjazzy..please use sense abeg...all this tribalistic attitude wont help

Abimbolaile:


Pls na what is it?! am not in support of what BET did...but what is the connection with you being igbo...who asked you? whether you like dbanj or not...why did you have to mention being igbo and donjazzy..please use sense abeg...all this tribalistic attitude wont help

Take your advice n shove it up ur azz since your cross-eye wont let you recognise sarcasm when you see one.

dominique:
Load of bullocks! When MTV introduced best African act to the EMA, did They play Africa music in Europe? Danni won the first edition and he was handed the award during the main show. They must have forgotten that the show is not aired in USA only anymore. If they feel that African artists are not up to their standards, then they should just scrap the best African act category entirely.

African artists truly need to raise their standards but not in the manner BET put it. They can't beg people in the US to buy their songs, BET should just respect the fact that these songs make waves in Africa and their are Africans in the US who love these songs and adore the artists so BET should respect them and honour the artist by giving them these merited awards in public

Sinnzu:
Take your advice n shove it up ur azz since your cross-eye wont let you recognise sarcasm when you see one.

Thank God my predictions were true...you are an uncouth fool with no politeness

Abimbolaile:


Thank God my predictions were true...you are an uncouth fool with no politeness

Kindly fvck off my mentions. Thank you.

emperorchedda:


African artists truly need to raise their standards but not in the manner BET put it. They can't beg people in the US to buy their songs, BET should just respect the fact that these songs make waves in Africa and their are Africans in the US who love these songs and adore the artists so BET should respect them and honour the artist by giving them these merited awards in public

Yes they have a long way to go but that should not be the reason for them to treat African artists that way. When Ladysmith black mambaso won their Grammy awards many years ago, why did the organisers not exclude them from the main show? Because it's demeaning and humiliating. Is the BET awards bigger than the Grammys?

BET has no excuse for what they did, they should stop being so darn entitled as if they're the best things to ever happen to African artists.