Lilian Blankson, Director of Programming and Production at BET International has responded to the backlash from Africans following the 2015 BET Awards. Mrs Blankson who was recounting events from this year’s BET Awards and reminiscing about the journey of the awards since she worked on the first one some 15 years ago, sent a number of tweets to address the concerns of many Africans, including ‘myself”.
And while she addressed some of my concerns as I expressed in my last vlog, #AmeyawSays, there is still a lot to be said about the inclusion I seek. For instance, if only 5 or 6 out of 19 categories make the air, are the other categories announced by BET Domestic along with the international categories? She also said performances sell award shows and make ratings, not the categories. So will the ‘international acts’ ever get the chance to perform on the award stage, since they are even segregated during the award pre-events such as the BET Experience?
Here are some of her tweets:
And while she addressed some of my concerns as I expressed in my last vlog, #AmeyawSays, there is still a lot to be said about the inclusion I seek. For instance, if only 5 or 6 out of 19 categories make the air, are the other categories announced by BET Domestic along with the international categories? She also said performances sell award shows and make ratings, not the categories. So will the ‘international acts’ ever get the chance to perform on the award stage, since they are even segregated during the award pre-events such as the BET Experience?
Here are some of her tweets:
BET will always signify Black Star Power… Africa, if we want to be featured prominently, we need to know the facts and be very practical.
First of all, tell the truth and stop tweeting lies and mistruths. There has never been a backstage presentation of any award. Pre recorded
We need to work hard and get our music on the radio here in the US. How do ppl respect ur brand when u r not on the radio?
Make ur music more internationally appealing… Think of ways 2 get all audiences invested. Oliver Twist is a great example. Universal story
Folks worked so so hard to provide a platform for Africa on the network. We won’t get there overnight. And misinformation won’t help
BET domestic does not and has never aired African music so to have a category is a major deal. Let’s prove and show them our worth not anger
The artists who have been honored – why haven’t you cleared the air and told the truth abt what happened! Why the silence???
Out of 19 categories, only 4 or 5 make air. This is standard in Award Shows. If the US artists are not outraged and complaining, why are we?
Performances sell Awards shows & make ratings, not the categories. Lets step up our game & get our music so big they can no longer ignore it
If you choose to fly down and watch the show and not do press who exactly do you think is affected or missing out? Think about it.
Let’s try and keep our category and know the facts. It does nothing to the network to tale it away – but it sends us back several steps.
Finally, let’s be a little humble. No one owes us anything. Like everything else, we have to work our way to the top so we can stay there.
Nothing has ever come easy to us Africans. But anything worth having will not be a cake walk. Started from the bottom, but we here.
First of all, tell the truth and stop tweeting lies and mistruths. There has never been a backstage presentation of any award. Pre recorded
We need to work hard and get our music on the radio here in the US. How do ppl respect ur brand when u r not on the radio?
Make ur music more internationally appealing… Think of ways 2 get all audiences invested. Oliver Twist is a great example. Universal story
Folks worked so so hard to provide a platform for Africa on the network. We won’t get there overnight. And misinformation won’t help
BET domestic does not and has never aired African music so to have a category is a major deal. Let’s prove and show them our worth not anger
The artists who have been honored – why haven’t you cleared the air and told the truth abt what happened! Why the silence???
Out of 19 categories, only 4 or 5 make air. This is standard in Award Shows. If the US artists are not outraged and complaining, why are we?
Performances sell Awards shows & make ratings, not the categories. Lets step up our game & get our music so big they can no longer ignore it
If you choose to fly down and watch the show and not do press who exactly do you think is affected or missing out? Think about it.
Let’s try and keep our category and know the facts. It does nothing to the network to tale it away – but it sends us back several steps.
Finally, let’s be a little humble. No one owes us anything. Like everything else, we have to work our way to the top so we can stay there.
Nothing has ever come easy to us Africans. But anything worth having will not be a cake walk. Started from the bottom, but we here.

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