Nigerian Stars Dominate 2025 BET Awards Nominations in Historic Showing

Burna Boy Breaks Hip-Hop Barriers as Afrobeats Takes Center Stage at Global Celebration

The 2025 BET Awards nominations have been unveiled with Nigerian artists making an unprecedented showing, as Afrobeats pioneers Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Rema, and breakout star Shallipopi all earned recognition across major categories. This year’s nominations reflect a watershed moment for African music’s global influence, with the June 9 ceremony at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theatre poised to make history.

In a career-defining achievement, Burna Boy becomes the first African artist ever nominated for Best Male Hip Hop Artist, where he’ll compete against rap royalty including Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Tyler, the Creator. Meanwhile, 21-year-old Ayra Starr’s nomination for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist – alongside eight-time Grammy winner SZA and R&B sensation Victoria Monét – signals her meteoric rise to international stardom.

The global categories showcase Africa’s musical dominance, with Nigeria’s Rema and Starr joined by Ghana’s Black Sherif, South Africa’s Tyla, and eSwatini’s viral DJ sensation Uncle Waffles in the Best International Act race. Rising star Shallipopi represents Nigeria’s next generation in the Best New International Act category, competing alongside talents from Tanzania, South Africa, and Brazil.

“This year’s nominations prove African artists aren’t just participating in global music – they’re leading it,” said music critic Adeola Johnson. “When Burna Boy stands beside Kendrick Lamar or Ayra Starr competes with SZA, it redefines the entire landscape of Black excellence in music.”

Founded in 2001 to celebrate African-American achievement, the BET Awards have evolved into the premier global platform for Black artists. The 2025 nominations highlight how African musicians have transitioned from special guests to headliners in the international music conversation.

Below is the complete list of 2025 BET Awards nominees across all categories:

Album of the Year

• Exy $Ongs 4 U – Drake & PartyNextDoor
• 11:11 Deluxe – Chris Brown
• Alligator Bites Never Heal – Doechii
• Cowboy Carter – Beyoncé
• Glorious – GloRilla
• GNX – Kendrick Lamar
• Hurry Up Tomorrow – The Weeknd
• We Don’t Trust You – Future & Metro Boomin

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

• Bruno Mars
• Chris Brown
• Drake
• Fridayy
• Leon Thomas
• Teddy Swims
• The Weeknd
• Usher

Best Group

• 41
• Common & Pete Rock
• Drake & PartyNextDoor
• FLO
• Future & Metro Boomin
• Jacquees & Dej Loaf
• Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist
• Maverick City Music

Best Collaboration

• ’30 For 30′ – SZA ft. Kendrick Lamar
• ‘Alter Ego’ – Doechii ft. JT
• ‘Are You Even Real’ – Teddy Swims ft. Givēon
• ‘Beckham’ – Dee Billz feat. Kyle Richh, Kai Swervo, Kj Swervo
• ‘Bless’ – Lil Wayne, Wheezy & Young Thug
• ‘Like That’ – Future & Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar
• ‘Luther’ – Kendrick Lamar & SZA
• ‘Sticky’ – Tyler, the Creator ft. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne
• ‘Timeless’ – The Weeknd ft. Playboi Carti

Best Female Hip Hop Artist

• Cardi B
• Doechii
• Doja Cat
• GloRilla
• Latto
• Megan Thee Stallion
• Nicki Minaj
• Rapsody
• Sexyy Red

Video of the Year

• ‘3AM in ToKEYo’ – Key Glock
• ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’ – Shaboozey
• ‘After Hours’ – Kehlani
• ‘Denial Is A River’ – Doechii
• ‘Family Matters’ – Drake
• ‘Not Like Us’ – Kendrick Lamar
• ‘Timeless’ – The Weeknd ft. Playboi Carti
• ‘Type Shit’ – Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Playboi Carti

Video Director of the Year

• Anderson .Paak
• B Pace Productions & Jacquees
• Benny Boom
• Cactus Jack
• Cole Bennett
• Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
• Dave Meyers
• Foggieraw
• Tyler, the Creator

Best New Artist

• 41
• Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
• BigXthaPlug
• Bossman Dlow
• Dee Billz
• Leon Thomas
• October London
• Shaboozey
• Teddy Swims

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award

• ‘A God (There Is)’ – Common & Pete Rock ft. Jennifer Hudson
• ‘Amen’ – Pastor Mike Jr.
• ‘Better Days’ – Fridayy
• ‘Church Doors (Terry Hunter Remix)’ – Yolanda Adams feat. Sir The Baptist & Donald Lawrence
• ‘Constant’ – Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore & Anthony Gargiula
• ‘Deserve To Win’ – Tamela Mann
• ‘Faith’ – Rapsody
• ‘Rain Down on Me’ – GloRilla ft. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music

Viewer’s Choice Award

• ‘Residuals’ – Chris Brown
• ‘Denial Is A River’ – Doechii
• ‘Nokia’ – Drake
• ‘Like That’ – Future & Metro Boomin ft. Kendrick Lamar
• ‘TGIF’ – GloRilla
• ‘Not Like Us’ – Kendrick Lamar
• ‘Luther’ – Kendrick Lamar & SZA
• ‘Brokey’ – Latto

BET Her

• ‘Beautiful People’ – Mary J. Blige
• ‘Blackbiird’ – Beyoncé ft. Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy & Reyna Roberts
• ‘Bloom’ – Doechii
• ‘Burning’ – Tems (Nigeria)
• ‘Defying Gravity’ – Cynthia Erivo feat. Ariana Grande
• ‘Heart of a Woman’ – Summer Walker
• ‘Hold On’ – Tems (Nigeria)
• ‘In My Bag’ – FLO & GloRilla

Best Movie

• Bad Boys: Ride Or Die
• Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
• Luther: Never Too Much
• Mufasa: The Lion King
• One Of Them Days
• Rebel Ridge
• The Piano Lesson
• The Six Triple Eight

Best Actor

• Aaron Pierre
• Aldis Hodge
• Anthony Mackie
• Colman Domingo
• Denzel Washington
• Jamie Foxx
• Joey Bada$$
• Kevin Hart
• Sterling K. Brown
• Will Smith

Best Actress

• Andra Day
• Angela Bassett
• Coco Jones
• Cynthia Erivo
• Keke Palmer
• Kerry Washington
• Quinta Brunson
• Viola Davis
• Zendaya

YoungStars Award

• Akira Akbar
• Blue Ivy Carter
• Graceyn ‘Gracie’ Hollingsworth
• Heiress Harris
• Melody Hurd
• Thaddeus J. Mixson
• Tyrik Johnson
• Vanvan

Sportswoman of the Year Award

• A’ja Wilson
• Angel Reese
• Claressa Shields
• Coco Gauff
• Dawn Staley
• Flau’jae Johnson
• Juju Watkins
• Sha’Carri Richardson
• Simone Biles

Sportsman of the Year Award

• Aaron Judge
• Anthony Edwards
• Deion Sanders
• Jalen Hurts
• Jayson Tatum
• LeBron James
• Saquon Barkley
• Stephen Curry

The 2025 BET Awards ceremony promises to be a historic night for African representation when it airs live on June 9, with Nigerian artists positioned to make significant wins across multiple categories. The inclusion of Tems in the BET Her category and Nigeria’s strong showing in the international categories underscores the growing influence of Afrobeats on the global stage.

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