Naija Wahala
The 2024 iHeart Radio Music Awards saw a stunning turn of events as celebrated Nigerian artists Burna Boy and Rema secured significant victories, signalling a shining moment for African music on the international stage. The ceremony, which aired live on FOX on Monday night, was hosted by the renowned rapper Ludacris, setting the stage for an evening of memorable achievements.
Burna Boy, the Nigerian music powerhouse, ended a notable winless streak by winning the title of “Best African Music Artist,” ending a winless streak of notable accomplishments. This victory comes after a year in which Burna Boy faced several setbacks—missed awards across a spectrum of ceremonies including the BET Hip-hop Awards, the Grammy Awards, the NAACP Image Awards, and the Brit Awards.
Aside from that, Rema’s collaboration with international pop star Selena Gomez on the hit song “Calm Down” won the “Best Collaboration of the Year” award, highlighting both the cross-cultural influence of his music and his growing influence in the global music scene.
The ceremony was also noteworthy for honouring global music icons, with Beyoncé receiving the iHeart Innovator Award, which honours her groundbreaking contributions to the music industry, and Cher receiving the iHeart Icon Award, which recognises her enduring legacy and influence.
- With six trophies, Taylor Swift was the night’s biggest winner. Her achievements as a music business titan were further cemented when she was awarded Artist of the Year, Pop Artist of the Year, Tour of the Year, Best Lyrics, TikTok Bop of the Year, and Favourite Tour Style.
