Grammy-winning Nigerian artiste, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, faced disappointment at the 2023 BET Hip-Hop Awards, where he failed to secure any wins in his seven nominations.
The awards ceremony took place on October 3 at Atlanta’s Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center, with the broadcast airing on Tuesday, October 10. Burna Boy was outshined by American rapper Kendrick Lamar in several major categories.
Kendrick Lamar claimed victory in the categories of Hip Hop Artist of the Year, Lyricist of the Year, and Best Live Performer of the Year, leaving Burna Boy behind. Furthermore, Burna Boy missed out on the Hustler of the Year award, which was awarded to 50 Cent, and the Best Collaboration of the Year accolade, where his track ‘Sittin’ On Top Of The World’ was defeated by Lil Durk and J. Cole’s ‘All My Life.’
Burna Boy’s streak of bad luck persisted in the categories of Best Hip Hop Video for ‘Sittin’ On Top Of The World,’ which was won by Lil Uzi Vert’s ‘Just Wanna Rock,’ and Song of the Year, where he again lost to the same song.
In contrast, Kendrick Lamar emerged as the night’s big winner, securing four trophies.
He swept every category he was nominated in, including Hip Hop Artist of the Year, Lyricist of the Year, Best Live Performer, and Video Director of the Year, which he shared with Dave Free.
In the Best International Flow category, Ghanaian music sensation Black Sherif triumphed over artists from various countries, including South Africa’s late AKA and K.O, France’s Gazo and Ninho, the UK’s J Hus, Central Cee, and others.
The complete list of winners and nominees for other categories is as follows:
Album of the Year
Anyways, Life’s Great, GloRilla
Breezy, Chris Brown
God Did, DJ Khaled
Her Loss, Drake & 21 Savage
Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, Kendrick Lamar
WINNER (TIE): Renaissance, Beyoncé
WINNER (TIE): SOS, SZA
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Ari Lennox
Beyoncé
Coco Jones
H.E.R.
Lizzo
WINNER: SZA
Tems
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Blxst
Brent Faiyaz
Burna Boy
WINNER (TIE): Chris Brown
Drake
The Weeknd
WINNER (TIE): Usher
Best Group
City Girls
WINNER: Drake & 21 Savage
Dvsn
FLO
Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin
Quavo & Takeoff
Wanmor
Best Collaboration
“Big Energy (Remix),” Latto & Mariah Carey feat. DJ Khaled
“Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2,” Pinkpantheress & Ice Spice
“Call Me Every Day,” Chris Brown feat. Wizkid
“Can’t Stop Won’t Stop,” King Combs feat. Kodak Black
“Creepin’,” Metro Boomin, The Weeknd & 21 Savage
“F.N.F. (Let’s Go),” Hitkidd & GloRilla
“Tomorrow 2,” GloRilla & Cardi B
WINNER: “Wait For U,” Future feat. Drake & Tems
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi B
Coi Leray
GloRilla
Ice Spice
WINNER: Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
21 Savage
Drake
Future
J. Cole
Jack Harlow
WINNER: Kendrick Lamar
Lil Baby
Video of the Year
“We (Warm Embrace),” Chris Brown
“2 Million Up,” Peezy, Jeezy & Real Boston Richey feat. Rob49
“About Damn Time,” Lizzo
“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy
“First Class,” Harlow
WINNER: “Kill Bill,” SZA
“Tomorrow 2,” GloRilla & Cardi B
Video Director of the Year
A$AP Rocky for AWGE
Benny Boom
Burna Boy
Cole Bennett
Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
Director X
WINNER: Teyana “Spike Tey” Taylor
Best New Artist
Ambré
WINNER: Coco Jones
Doechii
FLO
GloRilla
Ice Spice
Lola Brooke
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
WINNER: “Bless Me,” Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin
“Finished (Live),” Tamela Mann
“I’ve Got Joy,” CeCe Winans
“Kingdom,” Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin feat. Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore
“New,” Tye Tribbett
“One Moment From Glory,” Yolanda Adams
“The Better Benedic