The 2025 BET Awards nominations are officially out and African artists are making waves like never before. With major nods going to Nigerian sensations Ayra Starr, Rema, Shallipopi, and Burna Boy, this year’s nominations reflect a historic shift in global music influence and representation.

Scheduled for June 9, 2025, at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, the BET Awards will once again celebrate Black excellence across music, film, sports, and culture. However, this year’s edition is turning heads for the strong presence of African artists in top-tier categories once reserved almost exclusively for American performers.

Ayra Starr, a rising powerhouse from Nigeria, has landed a coveted nomination for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist. She stands alongside global icons such as SZA, Summer Walker, and Victoria Monét a signal of her explosive rise on the international stage. Her nomination is not only a personal milestone but also a win for the new generation of African female voices reshaping the music industry.

In the Best International Act category, Starr is joined by fellow Nigerian Rema, Ghana’s Black Sherif, South Africa’s Tyla, and eSwatini’s Uncle Waffles. They face competition from artists in Brazil, the UK, and France, highlighting how Africa’s musical footprint continues to expand across continents.

African influence doesn’t stop there. In the Best New International Act category, up-and-coming stars like Nigeria’s Shallipopi, South Africa’s Dlala Thukzin, and Tanzania’s Abigail Chams show that the continent remains a hotbed of fresh, genre-bending talent.

A groundbreaking moment arrives with Burna Boy, who earned a nomination for Best Male Hip Hop Artist a category historically dominated by U.S. rappers like Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Tyler, the Creator. His inclusion signals growing acceptance and celebration of African excellence in global hip hop spaces.

Launched in 2001, the BET Awards were designed by Black Entertainment Television to recognize and honor African Americans and other minority groups in music, acting, sports, and entertainment. Over the years, the awards have grown into a global platform showcasing the rich tapestry of Black creativity and innovation.

As the entertainment world becomes increasingly interconnected, the BET Awards’ recognition of African talent represents more than just nominations it is a cultural acknowledgment of Africa’s transformative role in the global creative ecosystem. With performances, tributes, and surprises expected, the 2025 ceremony is poised to be one of the most memorable yet.

2025 BET Awards – Full List of Categories and Nominees

R&B/Pop Artist

• Ayra Starr
• Ari Lennox
• Coco Jones
• Kehlani
• Muni Long
• Summer Walker
• SZA
• Victoria Monét

Best International Act

• Any Gabrielly (Brazil)
• Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
• Bashy (United Kingdom)
• Black Sherif (Ghana)
• Ezra Collective (United Kingdom)
• Joé Dwèt Filé (France)
• Mc Luanna (Brazil)
• Rema (Nigeria)
• Sdm (France)
• Tyla (South Africa)
• Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)

Best New International Act

• Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
• Ajuliacosta (Brazil)
• Amabbi (Brazil)
• Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
• Dr Yaro (France)
• kwn (United Kingdom)
• Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa)
• Merveille (France)
• Odeal (United Kingdom)
• Shallipopi (Nigeria)
• TxC (South Africa)

Best Male Hip Hop Artist

• Burna Boy
• BigXthaPlug
• Bossman Dlow
• Drake
• Future
• Kendrick Lamar
• Key Glock
• Lil Wayne
• Tyler, the Creator

Album of the Year

• $Ome $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
• 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
• ‘Defying Gravity’ – Cynthia Erivo feat. Ariana Grande
• ‘Heart of a Woman’ – Summer Walker
• ‘Hold On’ – Tems
• ‘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