Black Coffee becomes first South African to win a BET award.
Although this may come off as jaded, because we as Africans shouldn’t be looking at success as making it in America. But the fact is America remains a global powerhouse in pop culture. We speak like them, dress like them and yearn for that validation that all those successful American artists enjoy all over the world.
3 of most successful outfits to come of Mzansi(SA) to date have taken the baton and ran with it. Black Coffee, AKA and Cassper Nyovest had the biggest weekend of their careers this past weekend. In the past, when our artists headed to the States to either do shows or attempt to propel their careers forward they weren’t taken seriously. If they were ever acknowledged, it was always B-rated.
Be that as it may, the tables have turned. Number one, Black Coffee wins best international act: Africa at the BET Awards 2016. I cannot emphasize how enormous this award is. Not enormous in size obviously but the stature and uncontested mass media coverage it comes with is of Hollywood status.
It generally feels like the American industry has finally woken up and opened up to Africa’s biggest and brightest. Don’t get me wrong, from back in the day, legends such as; Bra Hugh Masekela and Mirriam Makeba made it America. They enjoyed the success of being globally accepted and enjoying dual citizenships both in SA and the US
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Having left Mzansi a week ago, Cassper got to do a first, AKA did a first also as well Black Coffee, Nyovest kicks it with the Oprah of rap, Sway on #SwayInTheMorning, not only did he get the opportunity to tell his story but, also kicked a bomb ass freestyle. Eminem, Biggie Smalls, Kanye West and all of hip hop royalty sat on that chair alongside Sway and Heather B. To think that a boy from Mafikeng would get an hour of Sway’s time on the most successful hip hop show. I’m not trying to use America as a measure of success but it is. When you’ve made all sorts of major moves in your own nation, it is only fair to take the world and pepper it, before you treat it like your oyster.
AKA also clinched an unprecedented milestone. Being Africa’s only artist to perform on the main stage of the BET experience’s main stage. The kids have taken SA to the world. He also got an interview on the biggest hip hop TV show in the world; 106 & Park. This is mega even for the super mega.
An entire crew of local celebrities, designers and entertainers were seen frequenting LA. So there wasn’t a lack of moral support for the local BET awards nominees. This being the second half of the year, I cannot wait to see what 2017 has instore for Mzansi’s entertainment industry. Well done gents!