Burna Boy, Davido, Tems, Asake, Libianca, Black Sherif + More Among Nominees For 55th NAACP Image Awards

NAACP unveiled the full list of 55^th NAACP Image Awards nominees with Global African artists,  Burna Boy, Davido, Tems, Asake, Libianca, Black Sherif, Lojay, Omah Lay and Ayra Starr bagging nominations in the music categories. 

More Africans shine bright as Ayo Edebiri, John Boyega, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Daniel Kaluuya, Lola  Akinmade Åkerström earn nominations across Motion Picture, Literary and Television categories. The winners will be revealed during the two–hour LIVE TV special, airing Sunday 17, March 2024 at at 19:00 WAT/ 20:00 CAT on BET Africa (DStv channel 129).

“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 haveinspired us all,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. “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,” said Scott Mills, President and CEO, BET Media Group

Speaking on the African nominees for this year, Monde Twala, Senior Vice President of Paramount Africa, and Peer Lead, BET International, said, “We take pride in shining a spotlight on black legacy and excellence. As a conduit for honoring authentic stories and recognizing groundbreaking work in film, television, theatre, music, and literature, we have a global array of African artists, including Burna Boy, Davido, Tems, Asake, Libianca, Black Sherif, Lojay, Omah Lay, and Ayra Starr, securing nods in the music categories. Adding to the brilliance, Ayo Edebiri, John Boyega, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Daniel Kaluuya, Lola Akinmade Åkerström receive well-deserved nominations spanning Motion Picture, Literary, and Television categories.”

The list of nominees can be found below:

RECORDING CATEGORIES

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)
• H.E.R. (RCA Records)
• Janelle Monáe (Atlantic Records/Bad Boy/Wondaland)
• Ari Lennox (Dreamville/Interscope Records)
• Victoria Monét (RCA Records/Lovett Music)

Outstanding New Artist

• FLO (Uptown Records / Republic Records)
• Jordan Ward (Artium/Interscope Records)
• Leon Thomas (EZMNY Records/Motown Records)
• October London (Death Row Records)
• 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)
• "Cobra" – Megan Thee Stallion (Hot Girl Productions)
• "How We Roll" – Ciara (Beauty Marks Entertainment)
• "On My Mama" – Victoria Monét (RCA Records/Lovett Music)
• "Boyfriend" – Usher  (Mega/Gamma)

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 (Traditional)

• Dreamville, Bas & Black Sherif feat. Kel–P – “Creed III: Soundtrack” (Dreamville/Interscope Records)
• Ciara feat. Chris Brown – “How We Roll” (Beauty Marks Entertainment
• Coco Jones feat. Justin Timberlake – “ICU Remix” (Def Jam Recordings)
• Karen Clark Sheard, Hezekiah Walker, Kierra Sheard – “God Is Good” (Timeless Music Group/Roc Nation Records, LLC)
• Voices of Fire – “Joy (Unspeakable)” (Columbia Records)

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)