Tems Best Gospel Award win at the BET Awards has sparked criticism and backlash and here is everything you need to know about it.
The 29-year-old Nigerian singer bagged the Best Gospel/Inspirational Award for her song ‘Me and U’ at the 2024 BET Awards held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Monday, July 1.
South African star, Tyla was a double winner on the night as she clinched the awards for both the “Best International Act” and “Best New Artist”.
Tems beat Shirley Caesar (“Award All of the Glory”), Kirk Franklin (“All Things”), Halle Bailey (“Angel”), CeCe Winans( “Come Jesus Come”), Erica Campbell (Do You Believe in Love?”), Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore (God Problems”) and Kirk Franklin (Try Love) to scoop the award with her song “Me & U.”
Not a few people including social media users and celebrities alike have reacted to Tems winning the award ahead of mainstream gospel singers.
In a social media post, actor Patrick Doyle asked mainstream gospel singers to stop seeking validation from the entertainment industry.
‘’I feel the pain of mainstream gospel artistes who feel slighted that Tems an evidently secular musician was awarded the BET award for best gospel song. That said I believe it’s about time that committed Christians stop seeking validation from fickle institutions like the entertainment industry mafia which by the way is in the grip of satan.”
On his part, Twitter influencer and commentator, Daniel Regha said her win was a mockery to the Christian community.
He wrote: Tems winning a gospel award is a m¤ckery to the Christian community; A secular artiste winning in a gospel category? That’s insulting.