Yvonnie Chaka Chaka to be honoured at BET awards
BET Networks has announced that R&B’s brightest stars Mary J. Blige, Maxwell, Xscape and El Debarge along with some of hip hop’s hottest talent including French Montana and Gucci Mane, will perform at the BET Awards 2017.
The annual show will also have performances from previously announced hit makers including Bruno Mars, Chris Brown and Lil Wayne. In a statement, BET Awards organisers said they have set the standard for one of the most intently unconventional, news-provoking broadcasts.
This year, the show will be hosted by stand-up comedian Leslie Jones. The show which will take place on 27 June 2017 will air at 20:00 CAT on BET (DStv channel 129).
Other presenters during the show include hit makers Remy Ma and Irv Gotti, actors and comedians Deon Cole, DeRay Davis and Kofi Siriboe, along with the cast of Detroit.
The statement further says these names represent some of the most accomplished talent and rising stars in the industry today.
BET Networks has also revealed that iconic R&B group New Edition will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award and multi-Grammy Award winning hip-hop artist and singer-songwriter, Chance the Rapper, will receive the evening’s Humanitarian Award presented by Walmart.
Africa will be greatly represented at the prestigious event with singer and humanitarian Yvonne Chaka Chaka and social activist Ilwad Elman being awarded with International Global Good Star and Power Awards.
Eight leading African artists including AKA, Nasty C, Babes Wodumo, Wizkid, Tekno, Mr Eazi, Davido and Stonebwoy will all vie for the Best International Act: Africa category. Amazulu hitmaker Amanda Black and Tanzanian performer Ray Vanny are nominated for Viewer’s Choice Award Best International Act, in conjunction with performers from the UK, South Korea, Canada, Australia and Jamaica.
As previously announced, Beyoncé dominates this year’s nominations with a total of seven including ‘Best Female R&B/Pop Artist,’ ‘Best Collaboration’ with Kendrick Lamar for Freedom, Video of the Year, and Album of the Year for Lemonade. Bruno Mars follows with five nods including ‘Album of the Year, Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, and Video of the Year for 24K Magic. Other nominees include Solange, nominated for four awards and who is up against sister Beyoncé for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist.
