Wizkid and Tems were nominated for the category following the success of ‘Essence’, their collaborative project.
The pair were nominated for the category alongside Amaarae, Diamond Platnumz, and Focalistic.
Justin Bieber, the Canadian singer, snagged eight nominations — the highest — followed by Doja Cat and Lil Nas X who got six nods each.
This year’s edition of the awards will take place on November 14 at the Papp László Budapest Sportaréna in Hungary, and would be broadcast live on MTV channels in 180 countries.
Reacting to her nomination, Tems said: “I’m extremely excited to be nominated for the Best African Act at the MTV EMAs. The last few years have been crazy and I am just grateful to God for all the blessings so far.
“I am honoured to be a part of the amazing voices from our continent who are breaking barriers and redefining music globally.”
Below is the complete list of nominees for the 2021 MTV EMA:
BEST AFRICAN ACTTemsWizkidAmaaraeDiamond PlatnumzFocalistic
BEST ARTISTDoja CatEd SheeranJustin BieberLady GagaLil Nas XThe Weeknd
BEST POPBTSDoja CatDua LipaEd SheeranJustin BieberOlivia Rodrigo
BEST SONGDoja Cat ft. SZA – Kiss Me MoreEd Sheeran – Bad HabitsJustin Bieber – Peaches ft. Daniel Caesar, GiveonLil Nas X – MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)Olivia Rodrigo – Drivers LicenseThe Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber – STAY
BEST VIDEODoja Cat ft. SZA – Kiss Me MoreEd Sheeran – Bad HabitsJustin Bieber – Peaches ft. Daniel Caesar, GiveonLil Nas X – MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)Normani ft. Cardi B – Wild SideTaylor Swift – willow
BEST COLLABORATIONBlack Eyed Peas, Shakira – GIRL LIKE MEBruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic – Leave the Door OpenDoja Cat ft. SZA – Kiss Me MoreLil Nas X, Jack Harlow – INDUSTRY BABYThe Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber – STAYThe Weeknd & Ariana Grande – Save Your Tears (Remix)
BEST NEWGiveonGriffOlivia RodrigoRauw AlejandroSaweetieThe Kid LAROI
BEST ELECTRONICCalvin HarrisDavid GuettaJoel CorryMarshmelloSkrillexSwedish House Mafia
BEST ROCKColdplayFoo FightersImagine DragonsKings Of LeonMåneskinThe Killers
BEST ALTERNATIVEHalseyLordeMachine Gun KellyTwenty One PilotsWILLOWYUNGBLUD
BEST LATINBad BunnyJ. BalvinMalumaRauw AlejandroRosalíaShakira
BEST HIP-HOPCardi BDJ KhaledDrakeKanye WestMegan Thee StallionNicki Minaj
BEST K-POPBTSLISAMonsta XNCT 127ROSÉTWICE
BEST GROUPBTSImagine DragonsJonas BrothersLittle MixMåneskinSilk Sonic
BEST PUSH24KGoldnFousheégirl in redGriffJC StewartJXDNLattoMadison BeerOlivia RodrigoRemi WolfSAINt JHNThe Kid LAROI
BIGGEST FANSAriana GrandeBLACKPINKBTSJustin BieberLady GagaTaylor Swift
VIDEO FOR GOODBillie Eilish – Your PowerDemi Lovato – Dancing With The Devilgirl in red – SerotoninH.E.R. – Fight For YouHarry Styles – Treat People With KindnessLil Nas X – MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)
Best US Act (BEST LOCAL ACT*)Ariana GrandeDoja CatLil Nas XOlivia RodrigoTaylor Swift