Local songstress Lira jetted out of the country last night for a series of promotional events in Europe, ahead of the BET Awards in Los Angeles, in which she has been nominated.

The 33-year-old has been nominated for best international act: African category, alongside Nigerians Ice Prince and Wizkid, Camp Mulla (Kenya), Sarkodie (Ghana) and Mali's Mokobe - making her the only nominee in the category who is not a rapper or group. She arrives in Rome today.

At a send-off at OR Tambo International yesterday, the Phakade singer was in tears.

She said: "I don't think it's truly sunk in. It's been manic. I have not had time to absorb it all. I think once I am on the plane I will have time to think.

"To be walking on that red carpet alongside people like Beyonce and Mary J Blige, people I admire, is magic.

"I hope I will also be up on that stage."

Just to make sure there is no confusion about her nationality, the nine-times SA Music Awards winner has assigned the usual suspects - favourite designer Sylvester Falata, and also Stoned Cherrie and Nelson Mandela's 46664 Fashion, to make her outfits. She will wear Errol Arendz shoes.

Apologising for weeping, she said: "I have a lot of love in South Africa and this nomination has affirmed the love I have for my country."

Last year hip-hop group Teargas represented South Africa at the awards.

They were nominated alongside Congolese Fally Ipupa, Nigerians 2Face and D'Banj, Benin's Angelique Kidjo and Ghana's D-Black.

D'Banj and 2Face shared the award.

Kanye West has the overall lead in the nominations, seven, followed by new mom Beyonce, who has six, and her husband Jay-Z (nominated in the same categories as Kanye), who has received five nominations.

• The BETs will be held on July 1.