Musician Edrisa Musuuza, known professionally by his stage name as Eddy Kenzo has made Uganda proud winning the BET International Viewers choice award becoming the first East African artiste to win this prestigious accolade.
Kenzo scooped the award at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, California. He had this to say after he was announced the winner.
‘Before I say anything let me dedicate this award to all Ugandans wherever you are in the world, it has been a long journey, it’s the first of its kind in East Africa. this is for Uganda, Uganda really needed this. To all my fans all
over the world thanks for the support and the voting May God bless you. Am coming home God is the greatest.’
The new category was decided by fans which helped Kenzo beat two new African artistes in South Africa’s Cassper Nyovest, Ghana’s Mz Vee and three from the UK in George The Poet, MIC Lowry and Novelist to the award.
Kenzo’s ‘Sitya Loss’ took him to another level internationally after the video was so captivating with well-choreographed dancing kids.
The video garnered global attention and over 7 million YouTube views, making it the highest viewed Ugandan video here and fifth in Africa, last year.
BET Awards are organised annually by America’s Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment.
The other African artists nominated on the included South Africa’s Aka and The Soil, Nigeria’s Wizkid and Yemi Alade, Ghana’s Sarkodie and Stonebwoy, DRC’s Fally Ipupa and Kenya’s Sauti Sol , all in the “Best International Act: Africa” category.
Here are all the winners;
Best New International Artist
Casper Nyovest
Eddy Kenzo– WINNER
Mzvee
George the Poet
Mic Lowry
Novelist
Best International Act UK
FKA Twigs
Fuse ODG
Lethal Bizzle
Little Simz
Mnek
Stormzy– WINNER
Best International Act Africa
AKA
Stonebwoy– WINNER
Sarkodie
Fally Ipupa
Sauti Sol
Wizkid
The Soil
Yemi Alade
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé– WINNER
Janelle Monáe
Jhene Aiko
Ciara
Rihanna
K. Michelle
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Chris Brow- WINNER
Trey Songz
The Weekend
August Alsina
Usher
John Legend
Best Group
A$AP Mob
Migos
Rae Sremmurd– WINNER
Rich Gang
Young Money
Jodeci
Best Collaboration
Chris Brown Ft. Lil Wayne and Tyga – “Loyal”
Big Sean Ft. E-40 – “IDFWU”
August Alsina Ft. Nicki Minaj – “No Love”
Chris Brown Ft. Usher and Rick Ross – “New Flame”
Common and John Legend – “Glory”– WINNER
Mark Ronson Ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Kendrick Lamar–WINNER
Common
Big Sean
Drake
J. Cole
Wale
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Azealia Banks
Dej Loaf
Iggy Azalea
Tink
Nicki Minaj– WINNER
Trina
Video Of The Year
Beyonce – “7/11”–WINNER
Big Sean Ft. E-40 – “IDFWU”
Chris Brown Ft. Lil Wayne and Tyga – “Loyal”
Chris Brown Ft. Usher and Rick Ross – “New Flame”
Common and John Legend – “Glory”
Nicki Minaj – “Anaconda”
Video Director Of The Year
Benny Boom
Beyonce, Ed Burke and Todd Tourso– WINNER
Chris Robinson
Fatima Robinson
Hype Williams
Best New Artist
Bobby Shmurda
Dej Loaf
Fetty Wap
Rae Sremmurd
Sam Smith–WINNER
Tinashe
Best Gospel Artist
Michelle Williams
Erica Campbell
Deitrick Haddon
Fred Hammond
Mali Music
Lecrae– WINNER
Best Actress
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington
Taraji P. Henson–WINNER
Tracee Ellis Ross
Viola Davis
Best Actor
Anthony Anderson
Idris Elba
Jussie Smollet
Kevin Hart
Terrence Howard–WINNER
Youngstars Award
Jacob Latimore
Jaden Smith
Mo’ne Davis–WINNER
Quvenzhane Wallis
Zendaya Coleman
Best Movie
“Annie”
“Beyond the Lights”
“Selma”– WINNER
“Think Like a Man Too”
“Top Five”
Sportswoman Of The Year
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Serena Williams– WINNER
Skylar Diggins
Venus Williams
Sportsman Of The Year
Chris Paul
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
LeBron James
Marshawn Lynch
Stephen Curry– WINNER
Viewer’s Choice Award
The Weekend –“Earned It”
Kendrick Lamar – “I”
Dej Loaf – “Try Me”
Rae Sremmurd Ft. Nicki Minaj and Young Thug – “Throw Sum Mo”
Beyonce –“7/11”
Nicki Minaj Ft. Drake, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown – “Only”–WINNER
Centric Award
Avery Sunshine – “Call My Name”
Jazmine Sullivan Ft. Meek Mill – “Dumb”
Mark Ronson Ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”
Sam Smith Ft. Mary J. Blige –“Stay With Me”
The Weekend – “Earned It”– WINNER
HUMANITARIAN AWARD
Tom Joyner
ULTIMATE ICON: MUSIC DANCE VISUAL AWARD
Janet Jackson
FANDEMONIUM AWARD
Chris Brown