Maya Jama has yet to officially confirm her reconciliation with Stormzy on social media. Still, the latest paparazzi photos of the pair tell us all we need to know. Over the weekend, it was rumoured that the foreign rapper and the Love Island host are currently on vacation in Greece to celebrate her birth month. Both celebrities have been sharing content on their individual profiles from a luxurious residence. We haven’t yet caught a glimpse of either one in the background of any photos or videos.
Both Jama and Stormzy look happy to be on their beautiful trip. Of course, their smiles are widest in the pictures obtained by DailyMail that show them walking around Hydra Island hand in hand. The 30-year-old wasn’t afraid of standing out, beating the summer heat in an all-white look. The socialite kept a slightly lower profile. She shielded herself from the sun with a hat and layered a long, white skirt over her black bikini.
It was previously reported that Stormzy’s mother is the one who encouraged him to get back together with Jama. Luckily for him, she and Ben Simmons called off their engagement, leaving the 29-year-old free for her ex to pursue after she took some time to heal from her whirlwind relationship. The Croydon native reportedly sees Maya as “The One” for him, so time will surely tell if the couple is truly meant to be together.
Interestingly, it wasn’t so long ago that Stormzy opened up in an interview about his 2019 split from Maya Jama. Last November the British lyricist admitted that he had a more childish mindset at the time, and it sounds likely that he and the TV personality had to take some time apart so they could each mature in their own ways. Read more about that at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.
Spinning the block has become an increasingly popular option amongst the celebrity dating pool in recent years. Pairs like Ashanti and Nelly, or Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have successfully reconciled after decades apart, making a case for the rest of us that maybe it’s not so horrible to text your ex after all. Another pair who’s believed to be spending time together again years after their breakup is British rapper Stormzy, and television personality Maya Jama. According to The Sun, the pair are having a belated celebration for her birthday in Greece at this time, and the 30-year-old is doing everything he can to give his ex the treatment she deserves.
“Stormzy is mad for Maya and has spent huge amounts of money taking her on a luxury holiday,” a source dished to the outlet. “He chartered a private jet to Greece then they flew into the resort by helicopter. It’s all very romantic. The Amanzoe is incredibly pricey and they’ve been waited on hand and foot.” Because Jama celebrated her 29th in August, Stormzy wanted to make it as memorable as possible for her. “She means the world to him and he wants her to be treated like a queen,” an insider explained.
As per another report from The Sun, it was the Croydon-born lyricist’s mother who encouraged him to patch things up with Jama. “Stormzy is really close to his mum Abigail who has always been Maya’s biggest fan,” a source shared. As he embarks on his 30s, the lyricist is looking forward to settling down with “The One,” which is apparently what he recognizes the socialite as.
Prior to sparking Stormzy reconciliation rumours, Maya Jama spent some time in a whirlwind romance with NBA athlete Ben Simmons. He eventually proposed to her with a stunning ring worth a reported $1M, but months after they went their separate ways, he sent her a legal demand requesting the luxury jewelry back. Read more about that at the link below, and let us know if you’re rooting for the Love Island host and her rapper beau in the comments.
Stormzy clearly knows how to celebrate in style. The London rapper recently turned 30 (on July 26), hosting a #MikeGala at the Biltmore Mayfair and inviting some of his most famous friends and admirers to attend. The result was captured in the video for his new song, “Angel In The Marble,” showing off the elegant black-tie styles of Stormzy and his friends, including Dina Asher-Smith, Zadie Smith, Tiana Major9, Little Simz, Skepta, Louis Theroux, Nia DaCosta, and more. The event was even covered in British Vogue.
The title, “Angel In The Marble,” continues the arty kick Stormzy’s been on lately. Similar art museum aesthetics permeated his videos for “Toxic Trait” and “The Weekend” with RAYE, while Stormzy showed off his high-fashion sensibilities with coordinated Burberry suits alongside Burna Boy and Skepta at the recent Met Gala (mandem got a taste for the posh life, innit?).
Stormzy hasn’t announced a new album yet — his last one, This Is What I Mean, came out last November — but he’s certainly been productive lately. In the past month alone, he’s released four new videos touting his longevity and ruminating on his current success, so perhaps an announcement isn’t too far off.
Watch Stormzy’s “Angel In The Marble” video above.
Stormzy hit up Wimbledon last weekend, but “The Weekend,” his new single with RAYE, is much a less formal affair.
“The Weekend” arrived on Wednesday, July 19, as the payoff to Stormzy’s Instagram breadcrumbs. It’s Stormzy’s third single since late June, following “Toxic Trait” featuring Fredo and “Longevity Flow,” and showcases a continued emotional evolution since his intimately vulnerable November 2022 album, This Is What I Mean.
The Omar Jones-directed video captures an unlikely meeting that turns into an adrenaline-inducing romance reserved for the weekends through the London-area artists’ dueling perspectives.
RAYE sings of meeting a man during a night out, “I took his number before I left / All night long he was on my mind / So I sent him a text that said / ‘Call me.’” She’s intrigued, but she has boundaries and stipulations (“‘Cause I’m workin’ all week, Monday to Friday / Let’s stay on the weekend”).
Stormzy isn’t deterred in his pursuit of a woman so beautiful she’s like “an artifact.” He asks if she’s available Monday. Nope. “Aight, Tuesday I’ll slide,” he raps, but RAYE is busy. “Is Wednesday cool?” he asks. Of course, RAYE works late on Wednesdays. You can probably guess where this is going: They can finally make time for each other come Friday.
“I’ma come through at the end of the week / Turn a real good girl into a freak,” Stormzy boasts in an effortless flow.
The free-spirited undertone is reminiscent of RAYE’s monster 2022 hit with 070 Shake, “Escapism,” which cracked No. 1 on the UK Official Singles Chart and peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 this January.
“I think as a woman when you’re processing such things in life, there are not really any healthy outlets for it,” RAYE told Uproxx of the song. “I think women do stereotypically face a lot of pressure to seem like they’ve got everything together — to be polite, to be smiley, to be kind, and grateful, and all of this stuff. So I wanted to create a story that was very blunt and honest about that time in my life.”
The RX is Uproxx Music’s stamp of approval for the best albums, songs, and music stories throughout the year. Inclusion in this category is the highest distinction we can bestow, and signals the most important music being released throughout the year. The RX is the music you need, right now.
For someone whose debut album is titled Love And Compromise, there isn’t much compromising on Mahalia’s second album IRL (In Real Life). The British singer laughs as I make note of this during our Zoom call as she heads to LAX for a flight back home after a month in the States.
It’s been four years since Mahalia released Love And Compromise, and since that album’s release, the singer and the rest of the world have gone through a lot. In credit to things like the obvious effects of the pandemic as well as more personal experiences, Mahalia, now 25 years old, is far removed from the 21-year-old woman who released that breakthrough collection.
Growing up is just one of the things that allowed her to make IRL. “Therapy got me here for sure,” she adds. “Therapy was probably the biggest catalyst for me. I think it was the one thing that really allowed me to understand myself. That’s why making this album was so interesting because I really felt like I was reflecting the whole time.”
Throughout the 13 songs that make up IRL, Mahalia couldn’t be more aware of herself and her surroundings and both the good and bad within them. She’s so deeply in love with Stormzy on “November” that she fears missing a moment of this romance by blinking or dozing off into sleep. “Isn’t It Strange” highlights the contradicting moments in her behavior but she blankets it with nonchalance as to do nothing more than acknowledge its existence. It’s a level of honesty and bluntness that emphasizes the “real” aspect of the album title. “I think that’s why this album maybe means so much to me because I think it actually does feel like diary entries,” she says.
Elsewhere, we meet the new Mahalia, the one who refuses to compromise for the things she wants. The one who lays down “Terms And Conditions” for love and warns that a potential lover will have to endure a vetting process conducted by her closest girls. The same who one found the courage to say “It’s Not Me, It’s You” to a man who made her wrongly believe that she was insufficient for a relationship. Despite this, Mahalia admits that often slips back to her old ways. “Even sometimes, now I find myself compromising on things and going, ‘what the f*ck am I doing?” Mahalia notes. “Like this is not what I’ve agreed with myself.”
Mahalia doesn’t attempt to hide the moments she goes against her own terms and conditions on IRL, and it’s that authenticity that adds to the album. After four years without an album, the British singer could have presented herself as a flawless woman who learned from her past to conquer anything her future threw her way. Instead, we get the very real back-and-forth moments of laying firm rules on “Terms And Conditions” all to hopefully bend them on “In My Head” with Joyce Wrice. “Wassup” with Kojey Radical celebrates freedom from an insufficient lover with a fun night on the town all for “Lose Lose” to follow and present Mahalia’s reluctance to put herself first and end a relationship that is riddled with too many problems. Through these instances, you may think that Mahalia is a bit fearful of change, but it was quite the opposite for her.
“My partner and I have now been together for coming up on three years,” she says. “Before that, I only made it to about 10 or 11 months, three times. When I got to that point with my partner, I remember having an internal freakout because I was like I don’t think I can go past that point or I’m feeling like I need to change and feeling like I need to alter something so that I can grow artistically.”
That feeling didn’t last too long as Mahalia admits that she’s “very scared of change now.” She is currently working towards splitting her time between homes in New York and London, a transition that she admits “freaked” her out at its start. “As you get older and figure out your comfort and the things that make you bounce, I think you don’t really want to change that because it’s taken you 25 years to find that sweet spot.”
This relationship has also allowed Mahalia, for the first time in her career, to create an album from the perspective of someone in a stable relationship. Staying on the topic of change, it’s been quite an adjustment for her to write from this new point of view. “I’m so used to just writing about the guys that do the sh*tty things and the guys that leave,” she says. “This was the time to be able to talk about all the intricacies of long-term relationships. They are just as crazy as being single and dating and being in the streets.” It’s a change that Mahalia not only fully embraced, but enjoyed as well. “The process itself was really, genuinely fun. Like, just really fun,” she admits. “I laughed [and] cried a lot while I was writing and creating, and I think that’s maybe why I’m so proud of it.”
During an interview with Evening Standard earlier this year, Mahalia admitted that she “probably wouldn’t have written this same album” if not for the pandemic. It’s an unsurprising note from the singer for a few reasons. First, the pandemic change a lot of things in a lot of areas for people all over the world, changes that were temporary and others that were permanent. Secondly, Mahalia’s almost three-year relationship means that it began in the heart of the pandemic, so who knows how it would’ve existed, if at all, if not for this time that forced the world to come to a standstill. These points aside, Mahalia also credits the “post”-pandemic moments for helping her find a direction for her sophomore album.
“Through the pandemic, we obviously couldn’t go into studios and stuff,” she recalls. “So when, when that time was over, I was working with loads of different people. I wasn’t really taking the time to sit and think, ‘This is my second album, what do I want to say?’ So after that immediate rush of being outside again, I decided that I kind of wanted that. I missed that feeling, I missed the four walls, I miss seeing the same people every single day.”
What came out of that was the decision to work with a small circle of three people to create IRL, and through that, comes an album that she feels is more cohesive than her debut. “[Without that], I would have just been going in the studio with everyone and just making a bunch of music which is kind of how Love & Compromise felt to me,” she admits. “I love that record and I always will because it was my first, but it definitely felt disjointed to me because I wasn’t learning with people and I wasn’t creating with people in that way. I was just creating to create.”
So what is it that Mahalia wants to say on IRL? Through all the changes she’s experienced in her life (multiple managers, boyfriends, and friends), Mahalia wanted to showcase her newfound independence and the benefits that come from it. “I really wanted people to get a sense of independence from this record,” she says. “Even though there are moments when I talk about relationships and people that I do depend on, I think you can really hear that I am depending on myself to get through this life and human experience.” She later adds, “I’m in that phase of my life where I’m like, I can do this sh*t on my own.”
Compromise is a thing of the past for Mahalia. Now, she’s putting herself first, both in her music and in real life.
IRL is out now via Atlantic Records. Find out more information about it here.
It took almost four years, but at long last, British singer Mahalia is set to release her sophomore album IRL. The gap between her debut Love & Compromise and her upcoming release is reasonable, considering that a whole pandemic took place among other things. With that being said, Mahalia is ready to showcase all the ways that she and her artistry have grown in the last few years. So, before IRL arrives, let’s get you up to speed with all the details about it.
Release Date
IRL will be released on July 14 via Atlantic Records. The project is the singer’s first full-length release since 2019’s Love & Compromise. More information on IRL can be found here.
Through the 13 songs on IRL, listeners will hear guest appearances from Joyce Wrice, JoJo, Destin Conrad, and fellow Brits Stormzy and Kojey Radical.
Singles
Mahalia released three singles ahead of the arrival of IRL. She began with “Terms And Conditions,” a record she worked on with Raye. Next was “Cheat” with JoJo, and finally, she delivered the album’s intro, “Ready,” a week before the album’s release.
Artwork
You can view the artwork for IRL below.
Tour
Mahalia will embark on a UK and European tour later this fall. You can check out the dates for those below and stay tuned for North American dates.
10/08/2023 — Leeds, UK @ O2 Academy
10/10/2023 — Glasgow, UK @ SWG3 Galvanizers
10/11/2023 — Manchester, UK @ Academy
10/13/2023 — Dublin, IE @ Vicar Street
10/14/2023 — Belfast, UK @ Mandela Hall
10/16/2023 — Bristol, UK @ O2 Academy
10/19/2023 — London, UK @ Eventim Apollo
10/20/2023 — Birmingham, UK @ O2 Academy
10/31/2023 — Paris, FR @ Trianon
11/01/2023 — Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso
11/02/2023 — Brussels, BE @ La Madeleine
11/04/2023 — Cologne, DE @ Gebäude 9
11/05/2023 — Utrecht, NL @ Ronda
11/07/2023 — Berlin, DE @ Columbia Theatre
More Details
Mahalia shared details about IRL about the album in a press release. You can read it below
This is a real reflection of the journeys I’ve had, what actually happened, and a celebration of everyone who got me there. There are names and family members I mention because it all helped in shaping who I am. I’m so proud of this album, and so proud of how much I challenged myself to just let those stories out.
IRL is out 7/14 via Atlantic. Find more information here.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Stormzy is officially back with his latest single, “Toxic Trait.” The song features London rapper Fredo and is produced by Dave. “Toxic Trait” is Stormzy’s first release since his last album, 2022’s This Is What I Mean. The project was a reflective opus that saw Stormzy singing for a large portion of the tracklist. Although he still rapped on many songs, the rapping on This Is What I Mean was very personal and meditative compared to the explosive bangers on Gang Signs & Prayer and Heavy Is the Head. Stormzy sang on his previous albums but fully leaned into singing on This Is What I Mean. Besides a few bars from Ms. Banks, Stormzy’s last album did not feature any rappers. Therefore, “Toxic Trait” is Stormzy’s first rap collaboration in a while. It is the first time he and Fredo have collaborated, and it marks his second song with Dave.
The UK icon has worked with rap and grime legends throughout his career, allowing new artists to shine on his albums. Songs like “Bad Boys” with Ghetts and J Hus or “Audacity” with Headie One are perfect examples. Stormzy’s competitive spirit has allowed him to shine on songs with other skilled lyricists, like “Dead Body Part 2+3” with Little Simz and Kano or “Energy” with Avelino and Skepta. This new single with Fredo is representative of how Stormzy encourages other rappers to step up their game while they bring the best out of him. Take a look at the list of Stormzy’s Top 5 best rap collabs below, ranked from least to greatest.
5. Headie One feat. AJ Tracey & Stormzy – “Ain’t It Different” (2020)
Headie One’s debut album, 2020’s EDNA, was a star-studded event full of the UK’s biggest stars and rising names to look out for. One of the album’s significant highlights and biggest singles was “Ain’t It Different.” The song departed from Headie’s typical drill sound and samples songs from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, M-Dubs, and Lady Saw. The three approach the track with unique flows. Headie keeps his drill flow and raps about how prison has affected him, and AJ Tracey spits about his successes. Stormzy raps from a more mature perspective, reminiscing on when he first got into rapping while continuing to flex. “Ain’t It Different” saw three of the biggest names in the UK from different parts of London and is a career highlight for not just Stormzy but for Headie One and AJ Tracey as well.
4. Stormzy feat. Aitch – “Pop Boy” (2019)
Stormzy may be a lyricist who raps about personal and comments on important societal issues, but many of his most enjoyable songs are when he stunts on his peers. “Pop Boy” is an explosive banger from Heavy is the Head featuring Aitch, who was just starting to reach mainstream recognition at the time. On “Pop Boy,” Stormzy revels in his success while acknowledging criticisms that he went pop and sold out. He stands firm at the top of the UK scene and embraces his mainstream status. Aitch, now a household name in the UK, impresses with his verse as he slides over the beat with ease.
3. Ghetts feat. Stormzy – “Skengman” (2021)
“Skengman” was the second time that Ghetts and Stormzy had collaborated. Much like “Bad Boys” from 2017, the grime legend and the rap superstar brought the best out of each other on this song. The track’s instrumental sounds like a mysterious James Bond theme, creating a sinister atmosphere for Ghetts and Stormzy to spit some of their toughest bars.
The two sound calm and collected even when they rap menacing lyrics. Ghetts starts the song with a nimble rhyme pattern and ends the song with a choppy and aggressive delivery. Stormzy’s appearance in the song is its own cinematic moment as the production shifts around his verse. Ghetts and Stormzy complement each other, making for one of Ghetts’s best songs and one of Stormzy’s best rap collabs.
2. Chip & Stormzy – “Hear Dis” (2015)
Chip and Stormzy teamed up for “Hear Dis” in 2015, the year after grime had its cultural reset and propelled the genre to new heights. “Hear Dis” was a big moment for both Chip and Stormzy at the time. Chip led grime’s second generation before signing to T.I.’s Grand Hustle label and moving stateside. He then left the U.S. and set out to reconquer the grime scene. Chip did just that, reinventing himself and engaging in some of the genre’s biggest beefs. In 2015, Stormzy was just a rising name, gaining recognition with freestyles and viral hits.
A collaboration between the two helped establish Chip as an elder statesman in grime, and his co-sign helped Stormzy gain respect in the scene. The song itself is phenomenal as Chip and Stormzy trade bars back and forth over a traditional grime instrumental from the late DJ Scholar. The two showed immaculate chemistry on the song, which unfortunately may never happen again as Chip and Stormzy beefed many years later.
1. Dave feat. Stormzy – “Clash” (2021)
“Clash” is a collaboration between two of the UK’s biggest stars in their most impeccable form. Over a drill instrumental, Dave and Stormzy rap at the highest level, approaching the song differently. Dave’s delivery is relaxed, while Stormzy’s lively verse brings nuance to the song. In addition to how they complement each other, the beat switch during Stormzy’s verse excites the listener. The sudden switch leads to the two trading verses. The song is also quite catchy, making for one of the biggest hits of both of their careers and one of the best UK rap collabs.
Stormzy‘s new video for “Toxic Trait” uses art to reflect life, taking references and design cues from modern art museums to depict his struggles for self-improvement. However, he doesn’t sound like he regrets these traits so much as he confronts and accepts them, so let’s just call it “self-effacement” for now. Among the attributes he describes in the new song are an abhorrence for seeing people in the same jewelry (so much so, he’ll stash his away forever), an affinity for cannabis, and an unfortunately large carbon footprint.
Fellow rapper Fredo appears on the second verse does much the same, listing his materialism, ambition, and self-reliance as his own toxic traits (which they can be in excess). “She wanna link up, tell her, ‘Not today,’” he muses. “‘Cause I’m on the block till late (Late), still got this guap to make.” The beat is a skittering drill production crafted by Dave, who recently released a slick joint EP with Central Cee, Split Decision.
“Toxic Trait” is the second single from Stormzy’s upcoming, as-yet-untitled fourth album. It may take a while to arrive; he’s just eight months removed from his third album, This Is What I Mean, which he released in November last year.
In the world of rap and hip-hop, there are certain names that constantly make headlines, and Dave is undoubtedly one of them. Since his debut, he’s been praised for his honest storytelling and introspective lyricism. Dave isn’t just a rapper; he’s a poet, seamlessly blending personal experiences with social commentary. And he’s not alone in this journey. There’s a new wave of rappers, just like Dave, who are changing the game.
Dave’s Uniqueness
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 08: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Dave accepts the Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act award at The BRIT Awards 2022 at The O2 Arena on February 08, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Dave, born David Orobosa Omoregie, burst onto the UK rap scene with a distinct style that’s since become his trademark. His raw honesty, coupled with his undeniable talent, set him apart from the rest. It’s not just about the beats or the wordplay for Dave; it’s about the message. And this trend is being echoed by many of his contemporaries.
The Rise of Conscious Rap
The rise of conscious rap has allowed artists like Dave to thrive. Rappers like J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and Stormzy are also known for their socially conscious lyrics. This form of rap prioritizes meaningful lyrics over catchy hooks and, in doing so, is gradually shifting public perception of what rap can be. It’s about storytelling, reflecting reality, and making listeners think and feel.
The Impact On The Scene
This emphasis on authenticity and consciousness has profoundly impacted the rap scene. Artists are now more willing to explore deeper themes in their music, shedding light on issues such as mental health, societal expectations, and racial injustice. This shift has also led to increased diversity within the genre, with more and more artists bringing their unique perspectives to the forefront.
Embracing Vulnerability
Perhaps one of the most significant changes we’ve seen is the embrace of vulnerability in rap. Rappers like Dave aren’t afraid to bare their souls in their music, to explore their fears and insecurities. This openness resonates with audiences, who find solace and understanding in their lyrics. It’s a far cry from the posturing and bravado often associated with the genre.
Looking ahead, it’s clear that the future of rap lies in its ability to evolve and adapt. As artists push boundaries and challenge conventions, we can expect the genre to grow in ways we can’t yet imagine. Rappers like Dave are leading this charge, using their platform to spark conversations and inspire change.
Rappers similar to Dave are more than just musicians; they’re storytellers, poets, and activists. They’re using their music to reflect the world as they see it, to challenge norms, and to instigate change. And in doing so, they’re not only evolving the rap genre but also shaping how we view and understand the world around us.
Conclusion
In the end, rappers like Dave are not just a trend or a fleeting phenomenon. They’re a testament to the power of authenticity, vulnerability, and of the spoken word. As we continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape of rap and hip-hop, one thing is certain: artists like Dave are here to stay.
The BET Award for Best International Act was first introduced in 2010 to highlight talents outside of the United States. Between 2011 and 2017, the category was split into two — Africa and the UK. However, since 2018, the award has become a more inclusive one. Accordingly, the 2023 BET nominees for the Best International Act include acts from all over the globe.
This year’s BET Awards will be held on June 25 in Los Angeles. These are the 10 artists up for the International Act award.
The recently announced nominations mark Aya Nakamura’s third time being recognized for the BET Award for Best International Act. Her first two nominations came as a result of her second and third albums, Nakamura and Aya, respectfuly. The French R&B singer earned her third nod due to her stellar fourth album, DNK. Nakamura released two singles, “SMS” and “Baby”, ahead of the album’s release, which made waves across Europe, particularly France. As was the case for her previous albums, DNK performed very well on the French Album chart, as well as the Belgian and Swiss charts.
Ayra Starr’s rise to fame began in 2021 with the release of her eponymous debut EP. After gaining momentum, she eventually released her debut album, 19 & Dangerous, only a few months later. By 2022, she had become a huge sensation. Ayra Starr’s music is predominantly R&B and Afrobeats. Her 2022 single “Rush”, propelled her into the European market, and she eventually worked with Kelly Rowland for a remix to her song, “Bloody Samaritan”. “Rush” would also eventually peak at the 24th spot on the UK Singles chart. This is her first nomination.
Burna Boy needs no introduction as far as the BET Awards go. The global sensation is no stranger to the BET Award for Best International Act. He famously pulled off a trifecta by taking the award three years in a row in 2019, 2020, and 2021. In the same vein as his previous works, his most recent album, Love, Damini was released in 2022 to critical acclaim. Straightaway, it became the highest-charting African album on the Billboard 200 upon its release. Love, Damini famously housed the popular single, “Last Last” and also featured other prominent artists like J Hus, Kehlani, Ed Sheeran, Khalid, and Blxst.
Oakley Caesar-Su, better known as Central Cee is a London-born rapper. In 2022, Central Cee became the first UK rapper to achieve one billion Spotify streams in a year. This was thanks to his viral hits “23”, “Doja”, “One Up” and “Let Go.” His latest EP No More Leaks arrived in October. This is his first-ever nomination for Best International Act at the BET Awards.
English singer Ella Mai made a successful crossover into the US market with her global hit single “Boo’d Up”. Following the release of her acclaimed sophomore album, Heart on My Sleeve, she has earned her first BET Award nod for Best International Act. The album features notable names, including Ty Dolla Sign, Latto, Roddy Rich, and Lucky Daye.
Ntokozo Mdluli, better known as K.O, started off as a member of the Hip Hop group, Teargas. Today, he’s made his name as one of South Africa’s most interesting rappers. Furthermore, his fourth album, Skhanda Republic 3 was released to critical acclaim. The lead single “SETE” was widely praised and became one of the most admired tracks of 2022.
Brazil’s L7nnon, also known as L7, enjoyed a massive breakthrough in 2022. He’s not only an accomplished rapper and rising star but is also a brilliant skateboarder who’s trying to go pro. L7nnon released several singles that took off in his native Brazil, including “Ai Preto” and “Facilitei.” He is also the third Brazilian nominated for the Best International Act award, following Emicida and Ludmilla’s nods in 2021 and 2022.
Stormzy is unarguably one of the UK’s most recognized rappers. He’s been nominated for the BET Award for Best International Act twice in the past. These nods came after his first and second albums, Gang Signs & Prayer, and Heavy is the Head. Stormzy’s third album was titled This Is What I Mean and released in late 2022. It earned critical acclaim for its genre-infused tracks and intimacy. The project has spurred his third nod for the award.
William Mundola, popularly known by his moniker Tiakola, is a French rapper. The rising star rose to fame in his native country as a member of the R&B and Hip Hop group, 4Keus. As the group is currently on a hiatus, Tiakola has gained even more fame as a solo artist. His debut album Mélo eventually hit the top spot on the French Album charts. Mélo featured several notable French rappers, including Hamza, Niska, Gazo, and more.
Uncle Waffles has been dubbed the “Princess of Amapiano”. This title is due to her infectious beats and swagged out style. The Eswatini-born DJ and producer has made South Africa her home and is gradually taking the continent of Africa by storm. Throughout Uncle Waffle’s career, she became an international sensation who performed across the globe. She is also the first amapiano act to play at Coachella. “Tanzania”, her debut single, became a huge hit, and was recently used by Beyoncé in a dance break during her Renaissance World Tour.
