Several Nigerians on X (formerly Twitter) have reacted to the BET award win that went to Tems, the Nigerian singer.
On Monday, Tems received an award for ‘Best Gospel/Inspirational Song’ at the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards.
The singer snagged the award with her 2024 release ‘Me & U‘.
Tems defeated top gospel artistes like Kirk Franklin, Cece Winans, and Erica Campbell to win the category.
This sparked mixed reactions on X, with many questioning why a “secular” artiste would win the category over gospel musicians.
Others also argued that Nigerians should be happy that the award went to a Nigerian.
“It’s worrying that Tems won the BET Gospel/Inspirational Category of the year. She edged out Maverick City Music, Cece Winans, Kirk Franklin and others,” one user Solomon Buchi wrote.
“Gospel music is not inspirational music. Gospel music is believer edifying, Jesus glorifying and God praising. Mentioning God in a song doesn’t make it gospel. The metrics for gospel music should be stringent.”
In another comment, a user added: “The way the world plays with Christianity is so somehow. They created a BET gospel award and gave it to Tems. It is so pathetic.”
Below are more reactions:
Categorizing gospel music and inspirational music together wasn’t a mishap; it’s an intentional attempt to undermine the power of the gospel. Any skilled musician can write inspirational, but that isn’t the gospel. Stop liberalizing the gospel.
Advertisement— Solomon Buchi (@Solomon_Buchi) July 1, 2024
Nigerian singer Tems winning at the 2024 BET Awards, as the Best Gospel/Inspirational prize. Me & U.
Is an intentional move to berate & embarrass the flowers of Christ the lord.
Nonsense.— S.A.B.U.R.I OMO IBADAN 🙌. (@AdepojuEva) July 2, 2024
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The way the world plays with Christianity is so somehow.
They created a BET gospel award and gave it to Tems. It is so pathetic.
— DISTINGUISHED KPMG LinkedIn Everest (@novieverest) July 1, 2024
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Tems being nominated & winning in a gospel category is ridiculous and stupid like an insult to gospel music #BETAwards
Bet award organizers are so stupid very stupid.
— Bensira (@moonlight_sira) July 1, 2024
You see that BET Gospel/Inspirational Category? It’s our lukewarmness and acceptable Christianity that’s led to this. Because how Tems won over Cece Winans, and how the category is even called gospel or inspirational is our fault too. God help us oh.
— Ogbenyealu. (@Yadah___) July 1, 2024
Tems winning the Gospel Category in the BET Awards above Cece Winans, Kirk Franklin, Maverick City is WILD!
— Joshua Mimam Sampson (@mrjoshuasamps0n) July 2, 2024
Tems won BET gospel art of the year as how?
Does she have any gospel song?— Nnamdi🍀 (@tweetsbyzyl) July 1, 2024
Wait ooo … HOLLUP!
Tems won the Gospel/Inspirational category of the BET award
You say?? 👀
Issokay
— Clifford Enobun (@cliffordenobun) July 1, 2024
I love Tems like so much, buh she had no business being in that category, neither did “Me & U”. Especially with the legends that she was in the category with (yes, grace happens) buh this was African patronage for BET’s advantage and nothing more.
— Ebo Emakhu (QrisEbo) (@EboEmakhu) July 1, 2024
When I was shouting “you cannot listen to secular music as a believer” throughout 2022-23. All the people that are tolerant were coming out.
See this BET awards now, TEMS won over CECE WINANS.
You people that say you’re Christians should continue, okay?
— Adaeze of Bloom|Marketplace Prophet| Counsellor (@helloadaeze) July 1, 2024