The creative output of the Nigerian Hip-Hop and Dancehall movement has been rewarded with the nomination of MI [ Jude Abaga ] and P-Square, for the Best International Act Award by Black Entertainment Television ( BET). The Nigerian Acts will vie with other respected performers like Estelle, Chipmunk, Kojo Antwi, Sade, K’naan, Corrine Bailey Rae, Dizzee Rascal and Hip-Hop Pantsula [ HHP]. The BET Awards which will be anchored by female rap legend, Queen Latifah, will hold on June 27, 2010 at the Shrine Auditoruim in Los Angeles. The event is generating a lot of excitement and music lovers are being asked to vote for their favorite acts.

The nomination of MI and P-Square for the awards is coming at a time when Nigerian artistes are becoming landmarks on the World Music Map. MI is undoubtedly one of the hottest rappers on the African continent right now. Born in Jos, Plateau State, he grew up in a household that loved music- his mother was the choir mistress of the church headed by his father. In 1998, MI started flirting with Hip-Hop music by sampling the works of Lauryn Hill and DMX. After returning from the United States where he studied at Calvin College, Michigan, USA, he released his debut album titled ‘ Talk About It’. The album won some awards and was well received in Tanzania. MI’s background as a poet has also made his music unique lyric-wise. He’s also a producer and has worked on the albums of artistes like Djinee, Jesse Jagz [ His brother who’s also a rapper ], Banky W and Tuface Idibia. His most popular rap song to date is ‘Crowd Mentality. MI is signed on Cocolate City, an award winning music label.

P-Square on the other hand also started out from Jos and the Okoye brothers were part of a group called the ‘Smooth Criminals’ until the band fell apart in 1999. Peter and Paul formed their their own group and after trying out various monikers, the duo settled for the name ‘P-Square’. In 2001, the group won the ‘Grab The Mic’ competition which led to Benson & Hedges bankrolling their debut album titled ‘ Last Night ‘. The group has gone on to release other albums and have picked up awards along the way including the 2003 Amen Award for Best R&B Group. P-Square has also performed with international artistes like Ginuwine and Akon. The group won the Artiste of The Year Award at the Kora All Africa Music Awards in Burkina Faso on April 4, 2010. P-Square’s victory at the Kora Awards will give the brothers some confidence that they can surprise the bookmakers at the BET Awards.

You can vote by going to the link below:

http://betawards.bet.com/nominees/category/best-international-act

Tagged as: B.E.T, Entertainment, M.I, Naija music, P Square