Zimbabwean singer, SHA SHA was awarded the 2020 BET Awards Viewer’s Choice Best New International Act, becoming the first Zimbabwean to land the award.
The Amapiano vocalist took the award at a powerful ceremony which included a line-up of artists, entertainers, cultural icons and inspiring humanitarians across 21 categories which all took place virtually on Monday 29 June 2020.
She was nominated in the Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act together with Rema (Nigeria), Celeste (U.K.), Young T & Bugsey (U.K.), Hatik (France) and Stacy (France).
Sha Sha, real name Charmaine Mapimbiro, is a singer born and bred in Zimbabwe Mutare and is currently signed to record producer DJ Maphorisa.
An overwhelmed Sha Sha shared her shock and excitement via a Tweet as soon as she was announced the winner.
What just happened!!! A BET THANK YOU! MY PEOPLE BACK AT HOME ALL ALL OVER THE WORLD MAN 🙌🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🇿🇼🇿🇦🌎🙌🏽
— Sha Sha (@ShaShaOfficial_) June 28, 2020
Nigeria’s Burna Boy bagged his second Best International Act award two years in a row while French activist, Assa Traoré was honoured with the 2020 BET International Global Good Award.
The show was broadcast virtually in response to safety precautions in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, marking a first for the network.
2020 marks both the 20th anniversary of the awards and BET’s 40th anniversary. This year’s show highlighted the absolute best in entertainment, social justice and culture with moving performances and appearances by some of the biggest names across television, film, and music; spreading and inspiring an important message of hope and change.
Africa was well represented as Sho Madjozi, Burna Boy and INNOSS’B battled it out for the number one spot in the Best International Act category while SHA SHA and Remi were nominated in the Viewer’s Choice Best New International Act category.
This year’s awards used an array of innovative techniques, including stunning and dynamic artist-generated performances and packages, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in the important and inspirational messages of Black Lives Matter and the urgent need for racial equality.
The ceremony was an extraordinary celebration of black culture, love, joy, and pride, setting a new bar for awards shows produced during the ongoing pandemic.
Winners in the 21 categories were selected by BET’s Voting Academy, which is made up of fans and an esteemed group of entertainment professionals.
A slew of performers and stars appeared, including Alicia Keys, Chloe x Halle, DaBaby, D Smoke, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Jonathan McReynolds, Kane Brown, Lil Wayne, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch, SiR, Summer Walker, Usher and Wayne Brady.
Many performances addressed the killings of Black men and women while in police custody, the Black Lives Matter movement and the protests over police violence and some performances also referenced the coronavirus pandemic, incorporating COVID-19 into lyrics or masks into the performance.
The show was hosted by comedian and actress Amanda Seales.
The complete list of the 2020 BET Awards winners is:
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
BURNA BOY (NIGERIA)
VIEWERS’ CHOICE: BEST NEW INTERNATIONAL ACT
SHA SHA (ZIMBABWE)
BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST
LIZZO
BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST
CHRIS BROWN
BEST GROUP
MIGOS
BEST COLLABORATION
CHRIS BROWN FT. DRAKE – “NO GUIDANCE”
BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST
DABABY
BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST
MEGAN THEE STALLION
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
DJ KHALED FT. NIPSEY HUSSLE & JOHN LEGEND – “HIGHER”
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
TEYANA “SPIKE TEE” TAYLOR
BEST NEW ARTIST
RODDY RICCH
DR. BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
KIRK FRANKLIN – “JUST FOR ME”
BEST ACTRESS
ISSA RAE
BEST ACTOR
MICHAEL B. JORDAN
YOUNGSTARS AWARD
MARSAI MARTIN
BEST MOVIE
QUEEN & SLIM
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
SIMONE BILES
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
LEBRON JAMES
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
PLEASE EXCUSE ME FOR BEING ANTISOCIAL (RODDY RICCH)
BET HER AWARD
BEYONCÉ FT. BLUE IVY CARTER, WIZKID & SAINT JHN “BROWN SKIN GIRL”
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