Sauti Sol party on despite BET loss

All was not lost as award-winning Kenyan group Sauti Sol on Monday failed to add a prestigious BET award to their already lengthy list of awards. The boy band made up of Bien-Aime Baraza, Willis Austin Chimano, Polycarp Otieno, and Savara Mudigi had been nominated for the as Best International Act at Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards that seeks to honour African American and other minority artists, lost out to Ghana’s Stonebwoy.

Sauti sol who attended the star-studded award ceremony in Los Angeles, California, took the opportunity to pose for photographs with other international stars as they sent congratulatory messages to the winners.

The band had been nominated for the 15th edition of the awards alongside AKA (South Africa), Fally Ipupa (DR Congo), Sarkodie (Ghana), The Soil (South Africa), Wizkid (Nigeria) Stonebwoy (Ghana) and Yemi Alade (Nigeria).

The quartet swiftly took to their social media pages to express their gratitude for the long way they had come and congratulated Stonebwoy, a Ghanaian afropop, reggae and dancehall artiste whose real name is Livingstone Etse Satekla.

“Join us in congratulating Ghana!! @stonebwoyb winner BET AWARDS 2015 Best International Act – Africa. Thank You God for bringing us this far!! More to come!! #AfricaRising,” they posted.

MEETING LEGENDS

Sauti Sol were excited that East Africa got an award as they congratulated Ugandan Eddy Kenzo who bagged the Best International Viewers' Choice Award.

“Very glad this one came home to East Africa! Congratulations @eddykenzo for winning a BET AWARD for Best International Viewers' Choice Award! You deserve it! Also s/o to Ghetto Kids. Uganda we are seeing you soon in our first concert there! Coming soon!!”

The group who are back in the US after playing in sold out concerts graceful attitude contrasted sharply with that of Ghanaian Fuse ODG who boycotted the event accusing the BET of behind the scenes machinations.

In a tweet, the UK based-Ghanaian artiste said, "Dear BET, the reason why I didn’t come is because you give awards backstage. You have no respect for our hard work and achievements.” To which compatriot and winner, Stonebwoy retorted that no awards were perfect as he accepted his award which he dedicated to his country Ghana and flood victims.

“GHANA WON!! Dedicate This To The Whole Ghana My Fans (BhimNation) Not Forgetting The Flood Victims. Thank You God!!(sic),” he said in a tweet.

Sauti Sol would go on to use the event to meet and greet their music idols, with the star-struck Kenyan artistes sharing their excitement.

Stylish in colourful jackets by Kenyan designers, the group stood out on the red carpet as they posed alongside celebrity duo of US artiste Brandy and her brother Ray J famous for their rendition of Phill Collins’s classic hit ‘Another day in Paradise’.

“BET AWARDS 2015 was super awesome!!! Meeting the dynamic siblings Ray J & Brandy The star-studded BET AWARDS 2015 is broadcasting live from the Nokia Theatre. It was more than amazing!! So cool to meet the vvvvvvery beautiful @4everbrandy and @rayJ Super cool siblings! So down to earth! Kenyan boys kicking it in L.A (sic),” they posted.

They however met their match in the flamboyant Fally Ipupa who attended the event dressed from red to toe in red.

“It's been an awesome #BETWeekend in LA. Got to connect with the legend himself @fallyipupa01 again!! #africawellrepresented,” they Instagrammed.

FUTURE AWARDS

The group also met with Robin Thicke, the ‘Blurred Lines’ hitmaker.

‘Had the pleasure of meeting the former real husbands of Hollywood cast & a naturally gifted singer @robinthicke.”

The group quickly turned their attention on the upcoming MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) to which they have two nomination for the Best Group and Song of the Year, for their song ‘Sura Yako’.

Last year, the group emerged the Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards MTV EMAs but were unable to replicate their success globally when they failed to clinch a nomination to the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards Worldwide Act.

Sauti sol, who have won numerous awards since their debut hit ‘Lazizi’ was released in 2009 have remained consistent as they tap their social media following which includes the President to amass votes they need to propel them further.

According to their website, Sauti Sol will remain the US where they are scheduled to perform at the annual 4th of July Kenyan Re-union, commonly known as Jersey 254 Street Bash.

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BET AWARDS 2015 WINNERS LIST IN FULL

Best International Act (Africa) – Stonebwoy (Ghana)

Other Nominees: AKA (South Africa), Fally Ipupa (DR Congo), Sarkodie (Ghana), Sauti Sol (Kenya), The Soil (South Africa), Wizkid (Nigeria), Yemi Alade (Nigeria)

Best New Artist – Sam Smith
Other Nominees: Dej Loaf, Fetty Wap, Rae Sremmurd, Tinashe.

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist – Kendrick Lamar
Other Nominees: J. Cole, Drake, Common, Big Sean, Wale.

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist – Nicki Minaj
Other Nominees: Azealia Banks, Think, Iggy Azalea, Trina, Dej Loaf.

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist – Chris Brown
Other Nominees: The Weeknd, John Legend, Trey Songz, Usher, August Alsina

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist – Beyoncé
Other Nominees: Janelle Monáe, Jhené Aiko, Ciara, Rihanna, K. Michelle.

Best Group – Rae Sremmurd
Other Nominees: A$AP Mob, Migos, Rich Gang, Young Money, Jodeci

Best Collaboration – Common & John Legend – ‘Glory’
Other Nominees: Chris Brown – ‘Loyal (feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga)’, Big Sean – ‘I Don’t F**k with You (feat. E-40)’, August Alsina – ‘No Love (Remix) [feat. Nicki Minaj’, Chris Brown – ‘New Flame (feat. Usher & Rick Ross)’, Mark Ronson – ‘Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)’.

Video of the Year – Beyoncé – ‘7/11′
Other Nominees: Chris Brown – ‘New Flame (feat. Usher & Rick Ross)’, Chris Brown – ‘Loyal (feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga)’, Big Sean – ‘I Don’t F**k with You (feat. E-40)’, Nicki Minaj – ‘Anaconda’, Common & John Legend – ‘Glory’

Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual Award – Janet Jackson

Fandemonium Award – Chris Brown

Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award – Nicki Minaj – ‘Only’ (Feat. Drake, Lil Wayne & Chris Brown)
Other Nominees: Beyoncé – ‘7/11′, Dej Loaf – ‘Try Me’, Kendrick Lamar – ‘i’, Rae Sremmurd – ‘Throw Sum Mo (feat. Nicki Minaj & Young Thug)’, The Weeknd – ‘Earned It’.

Video Director of the Year – Beyoncé, Ed Burke & Todd Tourso
Other Nominees: Benny Boom, Chris Robinson, Fatima Robinson, Hype Williams.

Best Gospel Artist – Lecrae
Other Nominees:Deitrick Haddon, Erica Campbell, Fred Hammond, Mali Music, Michelle Williams

Best Actor – Terrence Howard
Other Nominees: Anthony Anderson, Idris Elba, Jussie Smollett, Kevin Hart.

Centric Award – The Weeknd – ‘Earned It’
Other Nominees: Avery Sunshine – ‘Call My Name’, Jazmine Sullivan – ‘Dumb (feat. Meek Mill)’, Mark Ronson – ‘Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)’, Sam Smith – ‘Stay with Me (feat. Mary J. Blige)’

Best International Act: U.K. – Stormzy
Other Nominees: fka Twigs, Fuse ODG, Lethal Bizzle, Little Simz, Mnek

Humanitarian Award – Tom Joyner

Best Actress – Taraji P. Henson
Other Nominees: Gabrielle Union, Kerry Washington, Tracee Ellis Ross, Viola Davis

Youngstars Award – Mo’Ne Davis,
Other Nominees: Jacob Latimore, Jaden Smith, Quevenzhané Wallis, Zendaya

Best Movie – Selma
Other Nominees: Annie, Beyond the Lights, Think Like a Man Too, Top Five

Sportswoman of the Year – Serena Williams
Other Nominees: Brittney Griner, Candace Parker, Skylar Diggins, Venus Williams

Sportsman of the Year – Stephen Curry
Other Nominees: Chris Paul, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Lebron James, Marshawn Lynch

Source: BET.com