Sexyy Red, Victoria Monet, And More

Best Collaboration

Nominees:

Who Should Win: “Everybody” by Nicki Minaj and Lil Uzi Vert

Hip-Hop saw a slew of collaborations worthy of airplay in 2023. Whether it be a track that makes you dance, a thought-provoking single about real issues, or an emotionally charged bop — music artists came together to deliver inescapable tunes that will be on repeat for years to come.

As “All My Life” by Lil Durk and J. Cole became an ear-worm for its catchy hook and K.dot’s surprise verse on Bey’s “America Has A Problem (Remix)” became the collab we didn’t know we needed — other link-ups like Minaj and Ice Spice’s “Barbie World” stood as a fun song to rap along to. Lola Brooke’s “Don’t Play With It” originally released in 2021, but she gave the song a fresh remix with Latto and Yung Miami last year.

However, when it comes down to the collaboration most deserving of the 2024 BET Award, either “Everybody” by Nicki Minaj and Lil Uzi Vert or Drake’s “Rich Baby Daddy” with Sexyy Red and SZA will most likely score the feat. “Everybody” not only infused Jersey Club the right way (with an actual NJ producer) but has become the party-pleasing tune that can be found on commercials, video games — and upon its release — in everyone’s TikToks. The song also charted top 10 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, serving as a standout on Minaj’s fifth studio album Pink Friday 2 — which has also seen much success.

As for Drake’s “Rich Baby Daddy,” the single definitely dominated airwaves, saw much replay value, and garnered even higher chart success than “Everybody,” but the tune simply doesn’t compare to the latter when it comes to popularity amongst the masses. – Amber Corrine

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

Nominees:

Who Should Win: Victoria Monét

This year’s win belongs to Victoria Monét, hands down. 

Each contender makes for a strong argument. Between Coco Jones’ Grammy win and Muni Long landing another viral single, both women had the R&B streets on lock. As far as other nominees are concerned, H.E.R. has been relatively quiet, Doja Cat is more Hip-Hop than R&B, Beyoncé has been deep in her country bag, and SZA won last year with SOS. 

The argument can be made that Tyla and Victoria can tie for the win, but JAGUAR II was the best R&B album that was released this past year — emphasis on R&B. With “Water” and “Jump,” Tyla is better suited to win Best New Artist and/or Best International Act, but Victoria rightfully owned R&B with her masterful debut album. Between “Alright,” “On My Mama,” and “How Does It Make You Feel,” the LP catapulted Victoria’s artistry into a new level, setting her apart from all of her contemporaries in the brightest way. — Mya Abraham

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

Nominees:

Who Should Win: Usher

Most of the eight nominees for Best Male R&B/Pop Artist are worthy contenders for the trophy (less Bryson Tiller, whose self-titled album dropped after BET eligibility dates). Burna Boy and Drake’s eligible releases do not quite fit the category, being better suited for international act and Hip-Hop, respectively. However, the remaining five artists all delivered strong efforts for this year’s R&B/Pop throne. 

While the efforts of Chris Brown, Brent Faiyaz, Fridayy, and October London are not unnoticed, experience proves key in deciding the winner. Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Usher should take the 2024 BET Award for Best Male R&B/Pop Artist. 

The VIBE-coronated King OF R&B edges out his competition with vocal skill, artistic vision, and undeniable star power. His Coming Home album finds the singer exploring contemporary styles while not abandoning the traditional R&B his day-one fans appreciate. Through 20 tracks, Usher is sensual and sexy, charismatic and fun, vulnerable and deep. The work boasts his capacity to find inspiration in not only past and present R&B trends but his own longstanding career, an ability his competitors just do not yet have.

Bonus Points: Dropping his 9th studio album in alignment with headlining SuperBowl LVII is an unmatched flex. — DeMicia Inman

Video Of The Year

Nominees:

Who Should Win: Victoria Monét, “On My Mama”

The past 12 months have brought Hip-Hop and R&B fans some spectacular visuals. Cardi B’s “Bongos” transported us to a colorful beachfront while Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice took us on a ride through “Barbie World.” “Agora Hills,” “Good Good,” and “Rich Baby Daddy” all gave us a unique perspective on modern relationships while both “First Person Shooter” and “All My Life” found J. Cole in front of the camera.

Our prediction to take home the trophy, however, is Victoria Monét for her brilliant “On My Mama” video. Not only is it visually stunning, but actively pays homage to her musical influences, HBCUs, and the beauty of Black culture. Its references to everything from viral memes to early 2000s fashion lets us know Monét is a true student of the game, crafting a short that managed to enhance the experience of an already stellar song. Throw in stunning choreography from Sean Bankhead, and it only makes sense for the Best New Artist Grammy winner to walk away with the BET Award for Video Of The Year. — Jessica Bennett

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist

Nominees:

Who Should Win: Gunna

So, this award would have been a no-brainer for Kendrick Lamar if not for the specific eligibility window falling between March 2023 and March 2024. However, that period excludes everything Lamar put out after his earth-shattering “Like That” verse. So, with that in mind, the logical selection would be the person who dropped a successful album in that period and began rolling out his second out.

A Gift & A Curse was treated like a comeback album simply because the Atlanta rapper was written off. Yet, he delivered a certified hit in “Fukumean” and the fan favorite “Rodeo Dr.” He doubled back less than a year later with “Prada Dem” featuring Offset, which departed from the somber sounds of Gift and showed a much more confident Wunna. Though One Of Wun falls outside of the eligibility window, the momentum Gunna created with “Prada Dem” is more than enough. He deserves to be recognized for beating the odds. — Armon Sadler

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist

Nominees:

Who Should Win: Nicki Minaj

For the last few years, women have arguably been putting up most of the points in the rap game, making this category stacked with some very strong contenders. Ice Spice has been steadily gearing up for her debut album, while names like Sexyy Red, Latto, and GloRilla stayed in headlines for her catchy hits, but one name reigned superior — and she isn’t new to the top.

Nicki Minaj spun the block on her magnum opus, Pink Friday, and shared its long-awaited sequel on Dec. 8, 2024. The marquee album boasted guest appearances from J. Cole, Drake, Lil Wayne, Future, Lil Uzi Vert, 50 Cent, Monica, and Keyshia Cole. Pink Friday 2 spawned viral hits like “Everybody” featuring Lil Uzi Vert and “Needle” featuring Drizzy, housed vulnerable verses, and gave everything that fans were waiting for.

Not only was it a cathartic event for her longtime fanbase, the project met the immense hype in terms of numbers and artistry. It earned over 228,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, with 92,000 coming from pure album sales. It also achieved the largest vinyl sales week by a female rapper in history and broke Spotify’s record for biggest album debut by a woman rapper in 2023. Musically, the boss Barb made the biggest splash from 2023-2024. — Regina Cho

Best New Artist

Nominees:

Who Should Win: Sexyy Red

No offense to anyone else on this list but the battle is really down to two names: Tyla and Sexyy Red. And we’re going to have to go with the latter. Sexyy Red’s 2023 was one for the books and it all began with her breakout song, “Pound Town,” which dropped on Jan. 27, 2023. The single set the stage for Red’s unstoppable year that followed, with the song going viral and the St. Louis native becoming a national sensation in the process. “Pound Town” was everywhere: TikTok dances and challenges, social media posts from the world’s biggest brands, memes, and it even got the rare Nicki Minaj co-sign. The only other two songs in the culture that were more inescapable were probably Tyla’s “Water” and Sexyy Red’s own “SkeeYee” — which found itself on numerous end-of-the-year lists and even landed the rising star at the NFL’s 2023 season opener featuring the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets.

The St. Louis star would cap off the moment with her second mixtape, Hood Hottest Princess, which also spawned the viral “Hellcats SRTs,” which had impact in its own right. While Tyla may have secured Grammys and Platinum hits with her meteoric 2023, Red’s was for and by Black American culture. And unlike a trophy, that is a cultural stamp that you just can’t replace. 

Sportswoman of the Year

Nominees:

Who Should Win: Sha’carri Richardson

2023 was a great year for women’s sports as we’ve seen a number of athletes individually give exceptional performances in their respective fields and/or lead their teams to big wins. As the 2024 BET Awards will recognize basketball stars: A’ja Wilson, Angel Reese, Flau’jae Johnson and Juju Watkins; tennis sensations: Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka; historical track star, Sha’carri Richardson and championship gymnast, Simone Biles — only one will take home the Sportswoman Award.

Although each of the latter have shown why they stand out from the rest and have in someway paved their own lane in their respective sport, the two athletes who have the best chance at winning are Angel Reese and Sha’carri Richardson. Reese and Richardson have had to fight to prove themselves to be skilled not only on the court and field, respectively, but also in the public eye. As both have continued to unapologetically be themselves — lashes, nails, and all — they have dealt with people considering their confidence as “arrogance.”

However, Richardson has recently made history as the world’s fastest woman — known for her record-breaking speed in the 100-meter dash. As for Reese, she has also made history as a WNBA rookie, by scoring a rare feat of seven double-doubles in a row as a newly drafted Chicago Sky player.

As there can only be one recipient of the award, Richardson seems most fitting for this year’s Sportswoman award. She has continued to beat the odds while fighting through her battles of depression — making herself a walking campaign for those who deal with the same challenges. Despite her personal obstacles and public scrutiny for past poor choices, Richardson will be representing the U.S.A at the 2024 Paris Olympics starting this August — showing that she is resilient in times of uncertainty and ultimately deserving of an award that highlights what it means to be a true “Sportswoman.” – Amber Corrine

Sportsman Of The Year

Nominees:

Who Should Win: Patrick Mahomes

The past year has seen a number of male athletes dominate their respective sport, whether it be leading their team to historic feats or earning individual accolades. The nominees for the 2024 BET Sportsman of the Year Award includes a mix of rising stars and established legends, presenting a stacked field to choose from.

Of the eight sportsmen up for the honor, five are NBA players, as LeBron James, Anthony Edwards, Steph Curry, Kyrie Irving, and Jalen Brunson were included as finalists. Rounding out the list are two NFL stars, Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes, and boxing’s favorite knockout artist, Gervonta “Tank” Davis.

Of this grouping, the two stars who are most deserving of the award are Anthony Edwards and Patrick Mahomes. Edwards established himself as the potential future face of the NBA with a breakout regular season and playoff run, while Mahomes led the Chiefs to their second consecutive Super Bowl victory and third title within a five year span.

Ultimately, Mahomes adding his third Super Bowl MVP trophy and looking to embark on a three-peat in the upcoming NFL season makes him our front-runner for Sportsman of the Year. – Preezy Brown