Commemorating 55 editions this year, the awards, first presented in 1967, celebrate accomplishments across music, television, film and literature. NAACP will recognise winners in non–televised Image Awards categories from 11 to 14 March, which will stream here.
The Africans were shortlisted in the Outstanding International Song category. Burna Boy was nominated for ‘City Boys’, while Asake earned a nod for ‘Amapiano’ featuring Olamide, alongside other nominees like Tems for ‘Me & U’, Libianca featuring Ayra Starr & Omah La for ‘People’, and Davido for ‘Unavailable’.
Burna Boy, the continent’s most nominated act, is also up for Outstanding Male Artist, Outstanding Album for I Told Them, Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song and Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary) for 21 Savage-assisted ‘Sittin’ On Top of the World’.
Meanwhile, Tems, whose RCA Records received 20 nominations (more than any other record label), is also up for Outstanding Female Artist, while Davido scored another nomination in the Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album category alongside fellow Nigerian Lojay for their contribution to US R&B veteran Chris Brown’s ‘Sensational’.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the achievements of this year’s nominees, whose outstanding contributions across film, television and streaming, music, literature, podcasts, and more have inspired us all,” NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson said. “The NAACP Image Awards stand as a tribute to their creativity, talent, and dedication to authentic storytelling and are a testament to the richness and diversity of our community.”
“As we reflect on the rich legacy of the NAACP, we take pride in honouring the artistic brilliance of this year’s nominees. We are excited to illuminate and celebrate the extraordinary talent within our community,” BET Media Group head Scott Mills added.
Fans can power their favourite nominees to victory in select categories by voting for them here before 24 February.
Below are the categories with African nominees:
Outstanding Male Artist
- Burna Boy (Atlantic Records)
- Chris Brown (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
- Davido (RCA Records/Sony Music UK)
- Jon Batiste (Verve Records)
- Usher (Mega/Gamma)
Outstanding Female Artist
- Tems (RCA Records/Since ’93)
- Ari Lennox (Dreamville/Interscope Records)
- H.E.R. (RCA Records)
- Janelle Monáe (Atlantic Records/Bad Boy/Wondaland)
- Victoria Monét (RCA Records/Lovett Music)
Outstanding International Song
- ‘Amapiano’ – Asake feat. Olamide (YBNL Nation/EMPIRE)
- ‘City Boys’ – Burna Boy (Atlantic Records)
- ‘Me & U’ – Tems (RCA Records/Since ’93)
- ‘People’ – Libianca feat. Ayra Starr & Omah Lay (RCA Records/Sony Music UK/5K Records)
- ‘Unavailable’ – Davido (RCA Records/Sony Music UK)
Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album
- ‘Sensational’ – Chris Brown feat. Davido & Lojay (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
- ‘Boyfriend’ – Usher (Mega/Gamma)
- ‘Cobra’ – Megan Thee Stallion (Hot Girl Productions)
- ‘How We Roll’ – Ciara (Beauty Marks Entertainment)
- ‘On My Mama’ – Victoria Monét (RCA Records/Lovett Music)
Outstanding Album
- ‘I Told Them…’ – Burna Boy (Atlantic Records)
- ‘Clear 2: Soft Life’ – Summer Walker (LVRN/Interscope Records)
- ‘For All The Dogs’ – Drake (OVO/Republic Records)
- ‘Jaguar II’ – Victoria Monét (RCA Records/Lovett Music)
- ‘The Age of Pleasure’ – Janelle Monáe (Atlantic Records/Bad Boy/Wondaland)
Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song
- ‘Sittin’ On Top of the World’ – Burna Boy & 21 Savage (Atlantic Records)
- ‘All My Life’ – Lil Durk feat. J. Cole (Alamo Records)
- ‘Blue Eyes’ – Vic Mensa (Roc Nation Records, LLC)
- ‘Cobra’ – Megan Thee Stallion (Atlantic/Warner Bros/Mattel and 10K Projects/Capitol Records)
- ‘Palisades, CA’ – Larry June & The Alchemist (The Freeminded Records/ALC/EMPIRE)
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)
- Burna Boy & 21 Savage – ‘Sittin’ On Top of the World’ (Atlantic Records)
- Chris Brown feat. Davido & Lojay – ‘Sensational’ (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
- Lil Durk & J. Cole – ‘All My Life’ (Alamo Records)
- Usher, 21 Savage, Summer Walker – ‘Good Good’ (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
- Victoria Monét feat. Lucky Day – ‘Smoke’ (RCA Records/Lovett Music)
View the complete list of nominees here.
