The 15th edition of the award show took place at the Cobbs Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, United States, in the early hours of Monday, September 5, and was tagged ‘Join the Movement”.
Several talented artistes were nominated in the Next Rated category – which is considered one of the most competitive category in the award show because of the caliber of artistes fighting to clinch the award and the accompanying car reward.
The nominees in this year’s edition were Mavin Record’s Ayra Starr, Buju, Ruger, Zinoleesky, Lojay and Portable. However, Portable was disqualified because of his unruly behaviour.
Well, Buju beat the other artistes to emerge winner of the the Next Rated award. He also went home with the brand new 2022 Bentley Bentayga.
He dedicated the award to his late mother and girlfriend, Peggy.
Watch a video of the moment he received the award below,
Buju’s win has sparked hilarious reactions online as he was recently engaged in an online banter with his co-nominee, Ruger, over who has the biggest hit songs. ICYMI
It all started when Buju, who released his latest studio album titled “Bad Since’ 97” in the early hours of today, took to Twitter to announce that his album is topping the charts.
He posted a screenshot of the chart and wrote, “What if I 🤔 what if I 🤔what if I 🤔COOOKKKK👨🏽🍳 #BadSince97”.
Ruger figured out that Buju was throwing a shade at him because the line “What if I, What if I, What if I” is from his recently released single “Girlfriend”, and fired back at him.
The Jonzing star pointed out that Buju doesn’t have a solo hit song as most of his hit songs are features, and fat-shamed him.
“Get a solo hit then talk to me fatty bum bum”, Ruger tweeted.
Responding, Buju fired back at Ruger while still gushing over his Number One spot on the chart.
“Project #1 and I didn’t have to whine my waist 🥰”, he responded.
