The MTV Video Music Award for Best R&B was first awarded in 1993 under the name Best R&B Video, and it was given every year until 2006. The following year MTV revamped the VMAs and eliminated all the genre categories. However, in 2008, when MTV returned the Video Music Awards to their previous format, Best R&B Video did not return despite four other genre awards doing so. It was only in 2019 that the R&B award returned to the VMAs, now under the shorter name of Best R&B.
The MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip Hop was first given out at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards. The award, according to MTV, was originally intended for hip hop-inspired songs, not necessarily actual hip hop music videos. This explains the recognition of non-hip hop songs such as "Thong Song" and "I'm Real (Remix)".
The MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop was first given out in 1999 under the name of Best Pop Video, as MTV began to put several teen pop acts in heavy rotation. Nominations, however, were not just limited to pop acts, as dance, R&B, pop/rock, and reggaeton artists have also received nominations throughout the award's history.
The MTV Video Music Award for Best Collaboration was first introduced to the MTV Video Music Awards in 2007 under the name Most Earthshattering Collaboration, as the VMAs were revamped and a few new categories were added to the show. When MTV brought the VMAs back to their old format in 2008, this category did not return. It was not until 2010 that the category was reintroduced under the name Best Collaboration.
The MTV Video Music Award for Best Latin was first introduced to the MTV Video Music Awards in 2010 under the name Best Latino Artist. The award was created to replace the Los Premios MTV Latinoamérica, which closed in 2009.
The MTV Video Music Award for Video for Good is an award handed out at the yearly MTV Video Music Awards, first introduced at the 2011 ceremony. Originally named Best Video with a Message, the word "Social" was added to its name in 2013.
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu , who is known professionally as Burna Boy, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. He rose to stardom in 2012 after releasing "Like to Party", the lead single from his debut studio album L.I.F.E (2013). In 2017, Burna Boy signed with Atlantic Records in the United States to release his third studio album, Outside (2018).
Chike Ezekpeazu Osebuka, popularly known by his stage Chike, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and actor. Chike gained prominence by participating in the Nigerian reality competition Project Fame West Africa. Additionally, he showcased his talents on The Voice Nigeria, where he achieved the second position during Season 1. Chike ventured into acting by making his debut as Mayowa Badmus on the Africa Magic Showcase telenovela Battleground. He also appeared in the production Gang of Lagos, portraying the character Ify.
The MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year is one of the biggest awards given at the annual MTV Video Music Awards. It was first introduced at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards, replacing both the MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video and Best Female Video as MTV wanted to eliminate gender-specific awards.
Divine Ikubor, known mononymously as Rema, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and rapper. He gained initial recognition with his 2019 song "Dumebi". That same year, he signed with D'Prince's record label, Jonzing World. He achieved international recognition with his 2022 single "Calm Down", which spawned a remix with American singer Selena Gomez that peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also led Billboard Afrobeats Songs chart for a record-setting 58 weeks.
Bose Ogulu, also known as Mama Burna, is a Nigerian academic, businesswoman and talent manager. She manages her son Burna Boy's musical career. Her ethnicity is of the Yoruba.
The MTV Video Music Award for Song of the Year is one of the biggest awards given at the annual MTV Video Music Awards. It was first introduced at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards.
Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, known professionally as Ayra Starr, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter.
Richard Olowaranti Mbu Isong, known professionally as P2J is a Nigerian-British producer from London, England. He has produced for high-profile pop artists including Beyoncé, Wizkid, Stormzy, FKA Twigs, Burna Boy, Tems, and Doja Cat, among others.
Ahmed Ololade, known professionally as Asake, is a Nigerian singer, rapper and songwriter. He is signed to YBNL Nation and Empire Distribution. His stage name "Asake" is his mother's name.
"Rush" is a song by Nigerian singer Ayra Starr, released as a single on 16 September 2022 by Mavin Records from her debut studio album 19 & Dangerous. The song was written by Starr and Prince Omoferi, and produced by Hoops and Andre Vibez.
Alexander Uwaifo known professionally as Andre Vibez is a Nigerian music producer and songwriter. He is best known for producing "Rush" from Ayra Starr's album 19 & Dangerous and Rema international hit single “Calm Down” which peaked at number one on the India IMI International chart and also peak no.3 on Billboard Hot 100. In September 2022, he was announced as one of the new signed record producers of the Nigerian record label, Mavin Records.
The Headies 2023 was the 16th edition of Nigerian music awards The Headies. It was held at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, United States on 3 September 2023. Hosted by Osas Ighodaro & Terrence J. The ceremony was to be aired live on HipTV. Burna Boy lead nominations with ten, Asake with eight, Rema, Omah Lay, Victony, Simi, Kizz Daniel, and Pheelz received five each. While Oxlade received four, and Ruger with three. Rema, and Burna Boy received three awards each.
To celebrate 20 years of promoting and supporting African and Afro-inspired music, Trace staged the 1st Trace Awards & Festival at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda on 21 October 2023. The show was televised live to 350 million viewers and music fans around the world on Trace channels in 180 countries.
