In a weighty move, the 2023 MTV Video Music Grants (VMAs) have declared the expansion of an Afrobeats classification to their honour setup. This thrilling improvement comes because of the worldwide impact of African music and the considerable ability inside the Afrobeats type.
A few heavyweight Afrobeats craftsmen have previously earned designations for this class: Wizkid, known for his dynamic sound and multifaceted joint efforts; Davido, whose enthusiastic exhibitions have made him a commonly recognized name. Rema, the rising star whose imaginative way of dealing with music has gathered him a substantial following, Burna Kid, whose combination of Afro-combination and dancehall has procured him essential praise among numerous others.
The nominated people for Afrobeats Classification were;
Ayra Starr – “Rush” – Mavin Global Holdings, Burna Boy – “It’s Plenty” – Atlantic Records / Spaceship Entertainment Ltd, Davido feat. Musa Keys – “UNAVAILABLE” – Sony Music U.K. / RCA Records.
Fireboy DML & Asake – “Bandana” – Empire Distribution, Libianca – “People” – Sony Music U.K. / RCA Records.
Rema & Selena Gomez – “Calm Down” – Mavin Global Holdings Ltd / Jonzing World Entertainment / SMG Music / Interscope Records and Wizkid ft Ayra Starr – “2 Sugar” – Starboy / RCA Records.
Notably, Rema gathered two additional nominations with “Calm Down” featuring Selena Gomez, which took place on September 12, 2023; the 2023 VMAs were broadcast live from Newark’s Prudential Center.
However, it was in the Best Afrobeats category that this remarkable duo left an indelible mark, emerging as the inaugural winners in this newly established and highly competitive category. Their victory signifies a triumph not just for themselves but for the entire Afrobeats genre, which has been steadily gaining global recognition and appreciation.
The journey to this historic triumph was marked by stiff competition, as ‘Calm Down’ found itself pitted against some of the biggest names in the music industry. The presence of such musical giants only accentuates the magnitude of Rema and Selena Gomez’s achievement.
Calm Down’ originally graced our ears on August 25, 2022, and immediately captivated audiences with its unique fusion of Afrobeats and pop elements. Yet, it was the remix of the song that indeed soared to new heights, making history as the first-ever track to maintain a position on the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs chart for an entire year. This remarkable feat speaks volumes about the song’s particular appeal and its ability to captivate audiences across borders.
