The first-ever Afrobeats categories were won by Burna Boy and Rema at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, November 19.
Burna Boy took up the trophy for Best Afrobeats Artiste, and Rema’s “Calm Down” remix with Selena Gomez received Best Afrobeats Song.
The “African Giant” crooner made history by being the first-ever winner of the newly established Top Afrobeats Artiste category, defeating fierce opposition from Wizkid, Rema, Tems, and Cameroonian sensation Libianca.
Similarly, Rema’s remix of “Calm Down” defeated entries in the Top Afrobeats Song category, including “Rush” by Ayra Starr, “Ku Lo Sa” by Oxlade, “People” by Libianca, and “Soweto” by Victony featuring Rema and Don Toliver.
But in the Top Billboard Collaboration, Top Billboard Excl. U.S. Song, Top Billboard Global 200 Song, and Top Radio Song categories, the “Calm Down” remix came up short.
With 11 victories overall, American singer Morgan Wallen won the winners’ chart. Taylor Swift came in second with 10 wins.
