Burna Boy and Rema emerged as winners in the inaugural Afrobeat categories at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards.
Burna Boy secured the ‘Top Afrobeats Artiste’ award, making history as the first-ever recipient of the category.
Rema’s remix of ‘Calm Down’ featuring Selena Gomez earned him the ‘Top Afrobeats Song’ accolade.
The ‘African Giant’ crooner beat stiff competitions from Wizkid, Rema, Tems, and Cameroonian star, Libianca, on his way to making history as the first-ever winner of the newly-created ‘Top Afrobeats Artiste’ category.
The awards recognise remarkable achievements in music, considering factors such as album and digital song sales, streaming numbers, radio airplay, touring success and social engagement.
For the Nigerian popstars, the Billboard accolades followed successful headline shows as part of their respective world tours. On November 14, Rema became the latest Afrobeats star to sell out the 20,000-capacity O2 Arena in London, UK, while, Burna Boy stopped by the Toyota Center in Houston, US, as part of a 16-city marathon in support of his new album ‘I Told Them’.
Meanwhile, US act Morgan Wallen emerged as the night’s leading recipient with 11 victories, while Taylor Swift claimed the most accolades among female artists, securing 10 prizes, including the prestigious ‘Top Artist’ Award.