In a grand celebration marking five decades of hip-hop culture, the 2023 BET Hip-Hop Awards recognized the industry’s brightest talents, including artists, producers, and music video directors. This event illuminated remarkable accomplishments within the genre, emphasizing the worldwide impact of hip-hop.

A standout moment of the evening was when Ghanaian musician Black Sherif was unveiled as the victor in the prestigious Best International Flow category.

The announcement, however, came with a unique twist, as a leaked video from the previous week’s recording had already disclosed his win.
Black Sherif triumphed over formidable contenders, including Zambia’s Sampa the Great, the late South African rapper AKA, and South African hip-hop artist K.O, claiming the coveted award as Africa’s sole recipient.

Sharing the Best International Flow category with Black Sherif were nominees J Hus (U.K.), Central Cee (U.K.), Gazo (France), Major RD (Brazil), Ninho (France), and Tasha & Tracie (Brazil).

Also, read; BET Hip Hop Awards 2023: See the Complete List of Winners!

During his acceptance speech, Black Sherif, the creative force behind the chart-topping debut album “The Villain I Never Was” (2022), expressed his gratitude and reflected on his meteoric rise to international stardom in just four years. He attributed his success to the unwavering support of those who played a pivotal role in his journey.

Black Sherif eloquently stated, “I saw this in my sleep every night. I started making music four years ago in a small city in Ghana called Konongo Zongo, and there was no way nobody was going to convince me that I wouldn’t be here, that my music wasn’t going global. Thank you so much BET, thank you to God, thank you to my mum, thank you to my dad, and thank you to my team. I love you guys so much, and to each and every one of you here, remember you are kings and queens back home, welcome back home.”

In a touching gesture, Black Sherif extended an invitation to the diaspora, urging them to explore Africa while emphasizing, “Remember you are kings and queens back home. Welcome back home.”

Despite entering the awards as Africa’s leading nominee and the third-most nominated act with seven nominations, Nigerian superstar Burna Boy could not secure a coveted trophy.

The night’s standout, Kendrick Lamar, clinched four awards, solidifying his status as a hip-hop icon.

The late South African rapper Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes, tragically lost in February at the age of 35, was posthumously honored with the Global Visionary Award for his significant influence on the global hip-hop landscape.