Victoria Mbangwa
Africa’s brightest stars are stealing the show on the global stage once again, as the 2025 BET Awards nominations spotlight a new wave of international dominance led by Nigerian sensation Ayra Starr. The 21-year-old hitmaker tops the list of African nominees with three major nods, marking a milestone in her rapidly rising career.
Ayra Starr, whose genre-blending sound and energetic performances have made her a global favourite, is up for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Best New Artist, and Best International Act. Her recognition comes on the heels of a stellar year, capped with wins at the Headies Awards and a string of chart-topping singles.
Joining her in the BET spotlight are fellow Nigerian stars Burna Boy, Tems, Rema, and Shallipopi—each earning nominations that underline Nigeria’s sustained influence in global music.
Tems, whose soulful sound continues to resonate worldwide, scored two nominations in the BET Her category for her tracks “Burning” and “Hold On” from her debut album Born In The Wild.
Burna Boy, already a four-time winner of the Best International Act category, returns once more, nominated alongside Rema, another international Afrobeats export.
Street-hop newcomer Shallipopi also made waves with a nomination for Best New International Act, showcasing how fresh talent from Nigeria is breaking boundaries and reaching new audiences.
Africa’s representation doesn’t end there. South African pop star Tyla, amapiano queen Uncle Waffles, Ghana’s Black Sherif, and Tanzania’s Abigail Chams all earned nominations, underscoring the continent’s growing imprint on global pop culture.
On the American front, Kendrick Lamar leads the 2025 BET nominations with ten nods, including Album of the Year for GNX and Video of the Year for “Not Like Us.” Doechii, Drake, Future, and GloRilla each secured six nominations, with Metro Boomin following close with five.
This year’s BET Awards promises to be a celebration of not just music, but the global cultural force that African artists continue to be—bold, fresh, and unstoppable.
