Some of the artistes that have shaped the season in recent decades have been lined up for performance at the 2013 edition of the The BET Awards holding in Los Angeles, USA this weekend and Nigerian stars, Tuface abd IcePrince are nominated in the Best International Act African category. While the awards proper is slated for Sunday, the accompanying festival of songs, films and others will run through Friday and Sunday.
Based on the acts lined up, the event that seeks to celebrate the best of African American showbiz is shaping up to be a show of epic proportions. On the list of top performers are legendary singer, songwriter, musician and producer, Stevie Wonder; multi-platinum artiste, Snoop Dogg a.k.a Snoop Lion; best selling female acts, Mariah Carey; Nicky Minaj and Ciara. The influence of these artistes can be appreciated by considering the fact that they have sold hundreds of millions of albums and singles across the world. And they are still selling and commanding the love of billions of fans.
An icon for decades, Stevie Wonder has, over the course of his career, garnered 32 number one singles, and has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide. He has also demonstrated extraordinary humanitarian and philanthropic leadership and is universally acknowledged as one of the most influential musicians in the world. Wonder has previously been honoured by BET Networks for his outstanding contributions to music, having received BET's Lifetime Achievement Award, induction into BET's Walk of Fame and last year being awarded the BET Honors Musical Arts Award.
Maverick singer and performer Dogg is one of the most well-known and respected hip-hop artistes of all-time. With over 30 million albums sold worldwide, in 2012, he re-invented himself under the new alias, Snoop Lion, and released his 12th studio album, a reggae album, Reincarnated, featuring other prominent artistes, including Drake, Akon, Busta Rhymes and Chris Brown.
Mariah Carey, said to be the best-selling female artiste of all time, with 18 billboard #1 singles and over 200 million albums sold, promises to deliver another memorable performance. As a singer/songwriter/producer, Carey has defined modern pop history with her prolific songwriting, five-octave vocal range and global success.
Hip-hop superstar Nicki Minaj is currently the most charted female rapper in history, with 44 Billboard Hot 100 hits. Minaj has sold over 60 million singles as a featured artiste alone, 20 million singles as a lead artiste and almost five million albums worldwide. She is the first female rapper to chart in five countries and have seven singles on the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time.
GRAMMY® Award-winning performer Ciara has had tremendous commercial success. She's sold over seven million albums worldwide and has had eight top ten singles on Billboard's Hot 100. In addition to performing at this year's BET Awards '13, Ciara will unveil her newest video "I'm Out," featuring Nicki Minaj during the BET Awards Pre-Show, "BET Awards Pre-Show: Live! Red! Ready!" hosted by Bow Wow and Friends on Sunday 30 June.
"This year, the activity and excitement expand with the first ever BET Experience at L.A. LIVE! This three-day festival filled with comedy, gospel and soulful music concerts, seminars, film screenings, "106 & PARK" tapings and so much more will build anticipation for the finest BET Awards show yet," the organiers say in a statement.
Hosted by actor and comedian Chris Tucker, the BET Awards will take place at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Sunday 30 June.
"The show will also include performances by R. Kelly, Miguel, India Arie, Chris Brown and Kendrick Lamar. Hollywood actresses Angela Bassett, Gabrielle Union, Paula Patton and La La Anthony are among the talented line-up of presenters.
"For the fourth year in a row, BET Music Matters artistes will have the distinction of gracing the BET Awards stage. BET's Music Matters will again cast the spotlight on new talents who are on their way to being the next BET superstars. Austin Brown and Curtis Fields will take the stage during BET Awards'13 to give the world a sneak peek of their talents," the organisers say.
Thanks
