At the 2022 BET Awards, Wizkid and Tems Essence won Best Collaboration.
Essence outperformed hit tracks by DJ Khaled, Baby Keem, Kendrick Lamar, Doja Cat, Drake, and Bia that were up for the same award.
Wizkid becomes the first Nigerian and African to win an Award outside the Best International Acts category, and “Essence” becomes the first African song to win a BET award.
“This award is for Wiz, Africa and I just want to say that great things are happening out of Africa right now and the light is on everyone there, this is dedicated to Africa and Nigeria,” Tems said in her acceptance speech.
Tems became the first Afrobeats artist to win two BET Awards in a single night by riding the popularity of Essence and her most recent collaboration with Future and Drake’s “Wait For You.” Tems also won the Best International Artist Award.
In addition, Wizkid received a significant nomination for Best Male RnB/Pop Artist alongside Givon, Chris Brown, and Lucky Daye.
Though that category was won by The Weeknd.
