The fall-out from last night’s BET Awards 2015 continues as Wizkid – nominated yet again for “Best International Act (Africa)” took to twitter moments ago to explain why he didn’t attent the Awards Pre-Shows and Festivities, including conducting interviews and more.
The StarBoy was in L.A over the weekend, but chose not to attend, citing reasons similar to what Fuse ODG said. Our artists are beginning to demand more respect from BET, and rightly so. I foresee more and more boycotts in the coming years, if the organizers don’t make the necessary changes.
See Wizkid‘s tweets below.
Lol So I’m hearing BET is mad cos I didn’t come for the pre shows and interviews! Lol.
— Wizkid Ayo Balogun (@wizkidayo) June 29, 2015
I love u all for what u do for black entertainment worldwide.I respect the fact u guys do this every year.i know it’s not easy.I understand
— Wizkid Ayo Balogun (@wizkidayo) June 29, 2015
But I won’t be attending ur preshows and nominee parties if I’m getting the award at 10am before the main show.
— Wizkid Ayo Balogun (@wizkidayo) June 29, 2015
Same reason I didn’t come back stage to pick up the award when I won the first time
— Wizkid Ayo Balogun (@wizkidayo) June 29, 2015
I’m in LA to work and decided to see the show cos I got love for u guys.
— Wizkid Ayo Balogun (@wizkidayo) June 29, 2015
I don’t post about nominations or talk about awards cos I don’t really care to be honest. Just a bunch of peeps putting together a show!
— Wizkid Ayo Balogun (@wizkidayo) June 29, 2015
Performing to my amazing fans and making music is all I care about. #TeamWizkid Love!!
— Wizkid Ayo Balogun (@wizkidayo) June 29, 2015
I love u BET! If I’m in the city when next u doing the award show , I’ll still come to watch. Lol
— Wizkid Ayo Balogun (@wizkidayo) June 29, 2015
Big up @stonebwoyb ! Nothing but love hommie! Just met u a couple days ago but u’re cool! #OneAfrica!
— Wizkid Ayo Balogun (@wizkidayo) June 29, 2015
50 responses to “Wizkid Explains BET Awards Snub Despite Being In L.A”
Wizkid is always straight, Africa deserves more respect from BET. It's the 21st century, and we deserve equal rights to everyone because African music industry is the second biggest music industry in the world, and the likes of wizkid, davido, m.i, 2face, p-square etc deserves more recognition because how many U.S. Are even better than them these day? I'm not hating, but it's the truth!! Our eyes are wide open America!!
That's true @ abubu
U dey crazy
he be fooling himself, how will he go international when he doesnt win awards
hol up, Do you know what you are ? "EP" aka Enemy of Progress. Gerrara here for REAL !! Gerra ra here.
you are fool, go and read yemi alade comment as well
u dey craze who be yemi alade or rubish…I sing pass am shey becos her big thighs dey make una say rubbish…mumu of the century
Why u dey look her thighs fool
u crap stop commenting nonsense
What are u talking about ur talking nonsense
Set your standards simple. The issue with African artists is that those who have not won it will accept the award anywhere even if it means giving them the award in the dressing room. If all the artists are on the same page then BET award organisers will either yield to their demands or strike out the category completely.
Yall are not being realistic. African artist are not big on mainstream America. The awards honors mainstream artist that impact the U.S. music industry. Most people that aren't of African-descent don't know these African artist. BET is still trying to recognize their work. Boycotting the awards isn't going to help them. Speaking up, better chance. Let's be honest. In the U.S. these African artist are not on the same level as U.S. Artist. Just like many U.S. Artist can't compare to African artist on the continent. I def get their standpoint and I do feel BET could find another alternative. But these African artist have to be alil more realistic about their stardom OUTSIDE of Africa and especially in the U.S.
you should know that getting a nomination for an award show is not all about receiving the award but letting other people who dont know these artist listen to these music… these BET peeps need to know that they descended from Africa and need to show respect to these African artists… Plus, a lot of people dont know some of the American Artist who get nominated too… They are just being prejudices… you Africans look down on some of your fellow Africans so why would other people respect you…. #GetThat
Sometimes people get awards to help them go mainstream. It happens all the time, this is the kind of platform that afrobeat needs to help it to the next level. If we are not getring that platform no point in the artist wasting money on tickets, that's not good business
Well Said Wizzy
Wizzy can talk after Fuse Og talk, probably scared of what haters will say… Well, its not about Wizzy but about how Black American degrade Africans in general
More Love. It must stop after all we ain't fool now
We deserve respect.
Respect is earned not given.
What duh…hell do deze BET scumbags take we africans for!of coz we re in d industry tew show our talents doznt mean we are dere to be disrespected!coz i knw series of artists who are really outstanding wen it comes to talking'bouh music!and there i got starboy-wizzy!big ups bro!i gat wandecoal,Tu-baba,koko master, alingo-masters!and these are African(Nigerian)artists who have rilly made it big!in music industry. So now tel me shuld pple lyk diz go 4 awards nd be disrespected by being given awards backstage? Nuh!that has got to stop!its hightime we fight for our right!we deserve to be treated with lot more respect#
People have been speaking out about this yearly embarrassment of African acts at the BET Awards, and nothing has changed. If more African acts would shun the half-ass recognition, then they'll either make it part of the main show or scrap it.
African acts have come of age, and must be treated accordingly. Granted, the category does not have to be at the prime hour of the show, since it is not a popular category, but it must be integrated into the main show. Both performances and award reception.
African acts shouldn't be entertaining maintenance staff busy setting up the venue for the main show.
RECOGNIZE OR FORGET!!
-end of rant-
If they tell Ayo that they will play his video on BET, he will be there tomorrow, sweeping up their car park, thanking them repeatedly. Don't let this small boy fool you. If Chris Brown said, "Come and join me on stage", Ayo would have been there smiling and dancing.
we deserve more respect african artist also work for it. so there should be treated like other musician
Respect is earned not given. People need to recognize that BET Award is geared toward entertaining mainstream audience. Afrobeat is not that popular in the USA on a mainstream level. In order to get the respect, afrobeat artists need to continue to work on their craft (Live Performance, Music, people skills etc.) and continue to bring out good music and not lose that unique afro sound. If they continue to work hard and create a buzz, the USA mainstream will catch on and, BET will definitely consider them in the main show. So for does African artist who feel that BET is disrespecting African artist, remember respect is earned and not given.
10 years ago was there even a slot for African acts at the BET awards? (correct me if I'm wrong) This is what happens when you give people 1 ft space but they wanna go 1 mile. Yal need to be realistic !!! The BET awards is an American show, and to be honest nigerian music doesn't play on the radio/tv stations/movies in America till then, humble yourselves, and show up when you are needed to. Boycotting the show will probably have them cancel out that entire part of the show; then who has the shorter end of the straw? Basically its not that time yet !! Get on radio rotations in America, get your music on movies, tv shows and all other major music outlets that will profit BET Awards when they decide to present you your award on primetime.
lol…this guy actually said humble yourselves…lol. In USA? I pity you. Obviously you know nothing about how the USA works and it's founding principles. Goes something like this
but Oga if you are waiting for USA to imbibe afrobeat in it's current format to mainstream acceptance then by all means do so but I gurantee you say u go dey there lay egg and if you are investing on this dream, farthing u nor go see.
I am really scared of these sort of mentality. Did someone beg them to include the category in the first place? If they think it's a waste of their time then they can remove it completely. No biggie.
Something must be said about this sort of "know your place" mentality though. Very scary sh*t which makes me quote Steve Biko again:
"The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed."
Yeah, they've allowed you into the house but stay by the gates while we throw some leftovers for you to eat and be freaking grateful. Well, if I can't enter the main house then what am I doing in the yard scavenging for leftovers? I can do that much better outside the building completely.
You're worth how much you value yourself – never forget!
kiss my ****. Talking shit white folks!
Pride…
The spirit of Kalacutta lives on!!! well played Wizzy, the boy steals my heart and reserves his place in history. Can't wait for them to cancel that silly category. Bunch of ingrates. U can take y'all award and stick it up Kanye's bum bum right next to Dbanj's international career.
Yes he probably would, because in that case they will be giving his music prominence. Rather than the present case where it is shoved backstage in the morning where no one will get to hear any of it.
Am in love this cocos (comments) lol . Yeah big ups @wizkid ayo real talk. They can keep their backstage awards.They fail to realize that their ancestors are from Africa well that's their shit ass p. We got ourselves that's what matters the most #Africa #Nigeria #wedopebeleivethat
join CB on stage, for sure that's the job but its obvious dude decided to log off that car park award thing based on self worth. No matter how humble a star is, it's difficult to reconcile being paid NGN120,000,00 on monday only to be seen on Tuesday creeping backstage at a foreign award show. makes no sense.
Call dem African Americans, You only trying to make dem so special referring to them as Black Americans.. Whether Wizzy is Proud or not, Get it straight, The African Awards should be handed over during the prime time which is the heart of the BET awards.
Well Lastman think of this, if Wizkid has said this in 2012 it will be something different, but he had a taste of the apple and he understand its sour, so we can't really blame them niggas who think getting a BET or getting nominated is the peak of their career. If he said this in 2012, I would have called him a great HERO but nevertheless he made a point and he is 100 on that. If he isnt too smart to delete the post from 2012 where he won, I am sure he boast about it like every other niggas. There will only be one FELA, he dont even go to the award shows, not to talk of give 2 shits about it but I am glad our artist are demanding the respect they deserve. #100 bro
please these african artists are feeling themselves too much for work they havent even done! has any nigerian made a massive intl hit apart from dbanj? NOOO!!! so why d fuck! would they give you an award on stage and ppl be wondering who the fuck you are! when you are not on that level yet. BET isnt even gaining anything from including them,ppl in naija arent even watching the show live,plus even before they started including us BETawards was quite popular and everyone knew about it regardless. Soo pls these african artists should just humble themselves collect the awards "backstage" nd collect contacts! producers executives,producers,songwriters! i mean the bet is opening an amazing door for these ppl but it seems like they are too full of themselves
Such moronic thinking.
You're an example of someone who thinks low, very low, of themselves. That you so do does not mean others should join you in the sewers begging for crumbs. Some folks like the rooftop or mountaintop – it's where they think they belong and I'll like to be there with them.
If BET thinks these guys don't deserve to be part of the main show, then they can remove them from the awards list altogether since you also wrote that BET was quite popular anyways. Seems like a win-win to me based on your own claims.
However, your claim that BET isn't gaining anything from including them is a very stupidly ignorant claim. But, let's say it's true, then they can remove them altogether. It might just be a win-win.
People demanding they be treated with a modicum of dignity is termed by your ignorant self as arrogance. I hope you are not like this in real life because you must know that the system concedes nothing without demand apologies to Steve Biko.
How long would it take to give the award ? Just like nobody rarely cares about the music matters segment of the show . It would not kill them to take two mins to give them their award live . Also if they took the time out to introduce the watching public to them ( African nominees) maybe people would start catching on to Afro beats . See how rappers felt when they didn't present them their awards on television during Grammys . It doesn't hurt , but then again stay in your lane and more so your continent . I think sometimes they care more about making it international than anything they forget about the actual people who have mad love for them .
Hol up nigga hol up and go sleep
I just begin to love this guy for this. great!
The time will come yal, just exercise patience. Clearly stated above are criterias necessary in my opinion that need to be met before getting the type of recognition & placement these guys are asking for. No doubt it would be really awesome to see Nigerian A-list music artists on primetime at the BET awards and other award shows. More work needs to be done point blank period, asking for placement on primetime at this level is slim to impossible. If I have a family in my house, and schedule an appointment with you, you agreed to be there on my terms, whether the meeting is held at the front gate or the living room is totally up to me.
When you make an afrobeat hit that becomes a US radio hit and they do this then speak of boycotting the BET the people that take awards on their main event all have 5 "US radio" hits look at fetty wap in my opinion wizzy is better than fetty wap but he had that one song that put him on the map, I ain't ying we should loose our sound
You all should not be stupid tell me one of those artist that was nominated in the category that has more radio plays in the us than fetty waps trap queen or (extreme case) Nicki Minaj, if an african artist does an afrobeat track that is a "US radio hit" and also a hit in other parts of the world then african artist would be recognized in "US awards". Would treat some random person the same way you would treat your favourite artist in your house or someone from the same village as you are? I'm also not saying what they doing is right. In my opinion wizzy is better those two clowns rae sremmurd. End of Rant 1
ride on wizzy. fuck all them BET.
BET (Black Entertainment Television) black people treating black people wrong, if it was a white man, it would have been viewed from a racist perspective, the truth is Black is not ready to support another black, people saying African songs need to be on US radio that is total nonsense, recognizing African artiste by including them in the real award show will serve as a stepping stone for their acceptance into American industry, probably the BET dont want this!!!
my opinion though
#Word
Food for thought #BET
Wizzy and Kalakuta in the same sentence?
Guy, you fall my hand bad bad.
excuse me Mr. Tari hope ur not punking me? read the history books my bro…
Kalakuta Republic was declared by Fela in rebellion against the the Nigeria. Today it symbolises the independence and freedom of the African from oppression. Wizzy's action expressly perpetuate this Ideology and we should all proudly support him on this. It's nothing to do with fanboyship. We need this.
You is a fool for this one. Your whole generation cant create the vibe wizkid's Ojuelegba brings when I listen man.
Y'all are missing something here. Its Black Entertainment Awards, not Black American Entertainment Awards….So I dont see why One black man gets to receive his award live and the other gets his backstage, If he not good enough for the stage then he not good enough for the award. Y'all need to to take yo brains outta yo asses and put 'em back in your heads. Big Ups Wizkid! Bad Man you no need to prove nothing!!!!
lol rae sremmurd those boys sound like race cars tires screeching you comparing 'em to wizzy get yo shit together yo and i'm not ever african or black american at that. YTou gotta recognize quality when you see it and stop talking BS. Wizkid kills any beat he comes upon.