Nigerian music acts, Wizkid and Yemi Alade have been nominated alongside six other African artistes for the 2016 BET Awards, scheduled to hold at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, USA on Sunday 26 June.

In recognition of the growing international appeal of African contemporary artists, eight African artists were honoured ahead of this year’s BET Awards. Leading the charge in the category Best International Act: Africa are South African hip-hop rivals AKA and Cassper Nyovest and house kingpin Black Coffee. Wizkid (winner of the award in 2012) and Afro-pop diva Yemi Alade represent Nigeria. Also in the running are Tanzanian sensation Diamond Platnumz and Ghana’s dancehall/R&B queen MzVee, while Cote d’Ivoire’s coupé decalé star, Serge Beynaud, is the only Francophone artist nominated.

Canadian artist Drake (who recently collaborated with Wizkid on ‘One Dance’) leads in the other categories with nine nominations.

Beyoncé and Rihanna follow with five nods each, followed by newcomer Bryson Tiller, Chris Brown and Future with four apiece.