In a surprising twist at the BET Awards this year, Tems took home the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award for her song “Me & U.” The Nigerian music star defeated gospel heavyweights Kirk Franklin, CeCe Winans and Maverick City to win the award at the 2024 BET Awards which was held on Sunday at the Peacock Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles.
Traditionally dominated by gospel singers, the category saw a shift this year with Tems’ win and this victory stirred up quite a debate, with opinions divided on whether a secular artist like Tems deserved such an accolade in a gospel category.
The Category in Review
The Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award is presented to an urban contemporary gospel/inspirational artist. Winners are determined based on sales and the overall quality of content released within the eligibility period. This award celebrates artists who excel in delivering inspirational and faith-based music to a wide audience.
Why Was Tems’ “Me & U” Nominated?
Sales & Chart Performance
“Me & U,” the lead single from Tems‘ debut album “Born in the Wild,” achieved significant commercial success. The song peaked at number 1 on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart and number 34 on the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, it reached number 10 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart, showcasing its widespread appeal and solidifying Tems’ place in the music industry.
Inspirational Message
In an interview with BBC 1Xtra, Tems shared the inspiration behind the music video for “Me & U.” She explained, “The whole video is really about God being with me from when I was a child and in every version of me, God being there with me, taking me through every single thing.” This deeply personal and spiritual message resonated with many listeners, adding to the song’s inspirational impact.
Secular Artists in Gospel Categories: A Historical Perspective
Tems is not the first secular artist to win the Dr. Bobby Jones Gospel/Inspirational Award. Snoop Dogg and Rance Allen won in 2019, and Lil Baby and Kirk Franklin secured the award in 2022 for their collaboration “We Win (Space Jam: A New Legacy).” This trend highlights a growing recognition of inspirational content from artists beyond the traditional gospel genre.
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Mixed Reactions on Social Media
The decision to award Tems sparked varied responses on social media and here are few of them.
- Joshua Ifeanyi expressed concern, stating, “Anything that is produced from the worldly system must always compromise the precepts of Righteousness. For us to maintain high purity within our gospel music ministry, most of these award categories should be ignored by ministers.”
- Benny highlighted the voting process, noting, “Every system promotes its own. The voting process is for a selected group of people who decide which song fits into which category. Her winning is a reflection of the group that endorsed her in this situation.”
- Victor Emmanuel emphasized the need for gospel artists to seek validation from within their community, saying, “I feel the pain of our mainstream gospel artistes who feel slighted that Tems got the award but I believe it’s about time that committed Christians STOP seeking validation from fickle institutions like the entertainment industry.”
- Uncle Nadyx criticized the association between gospel music and secular awards, stating, “BET has no business with the gospel. The world hates the Church because it hates Jesus. It’s a shame when Christians associate with BET seeking validation from them.”
- Mekoyo added, “The problem is we expect too much from ‘secular’ institutions or persons or even the world. That system lies in the hand of the wicked one.”
Why Tems Deserved the Award
Despite the controversy, Tems’ win can easily be justified based on some reasons. The commercial success of the song meets up with the requirement of the award category which has seen it achieved significant chart success, indicating widespread appeal and recognition. Also, in terms of its message, the song and its accompanying music video convey a powerful and personal message about faith and God’s presence in her life.
While this might not sit well with some religious incline individuals, it is important to know that recognizing secular artists in gospel categories can help broaden the audience for inspirational music, reaching listeners who may not typically engage with traditional gospel content.
What do you think about Tems winning the Best Gospel/Inspirational Award at the BET Awards?
Do you believe her song “Me & U” deserved the accolade, or do you think it should have gone to a traditional gospel artist?
Share your thoughts and join the conversation HERE
Note: This is a personal reaction and view based on the writers judgement and does in no way represents the brand’s view on the topic.