Nigerian artists are making a significant impact on the global music scene, as evidenced by their strong showing in the recently announced nominations for the 2025 BET Awards. Several prominent names from Nigeria have secured nominations across key categories, highlighting the continued international ascent of Afrobeats and Nigerian musical talent.
Leading the pack among African nominees is the sensational Ayra Starr, who has garnered an impressive three nominations. The 21-year-old "Sability" hitmaker is recognized in the Best Female R&B/Pop Artist category, a testament to her genre-blending appeal, as well as for Best New Artist, acknowledging her breakthrough year on the international stage.
Additionally, she is nominated for the prestigious Best International Act award.
Joining Ayra Starr in the Best International Act category are two other Nigerian giants: Burna Boy and Rema. Burna Boy, a multiple Grammy winner and a dominant force in the Afrobeats genre, is no stranger to the BET Awards, having previously clinched this award an impressive four times.
Joining Ayra Starr in the Best International Act category are two other Nigerian giants: Burna Boy and Rema. Burna Boy, a multiple Grammy winner and a dominant force in the Afrobeats genre, is no stranger to the BET Awards, having previously clinched this award an impressive four times.
Rema, known for his unique "Afrorave" sound, continues to gain global recognition, solidifying his place among the top international artists.
Representing the burgeoning wave of new Nigerian talent is Shallipopi, who has earned a nomination for Best New International Act. Known for his distinctive street-hop sound, Shallipopi's inclusion in this category underscores the increasing diversity and global reach of Nigerian music.
Representing the burgeoning wave of new Nigerian talent is Shallipopi, who has earned a nomination for Best New International Act. Known for his distinctive street-hop sound, Shallipopi's inclusion in this category underscores the increasing diversity and global reach of Nigerian music.
Adding to Nigeria's impressive representation is Grammy-winning songstress Tems, who has been nominated in the BET Her category. Her powerful tracks "Burning" and "Hold On," both featured on her debut album "Born In The Wild," have resonated deeply with audiences, earning her this well-deserved recognition.
The highly anticipated 2025 BET Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on June 9 at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles and will be broadcast live on BET, offering a global platform to celebrate Black excellence in music, television, film, and sports.
Leading the overall nominations this year is American rap icon Kendrick Lamar, who has secured an impressive 10 nods. He is followed by a stellar lineup of artists including Doechii, Drake, Future, and GloRilla, further highlighting the competitive landscape of this year's awards. However, the significant presence of Nigerian artists across multiple categories underscores their undeniable influence and growing prominence in the global music industry.
See the Full List of Nominees:
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
- Ayra Starr
- Ari Lennox
- Coco Jones
- Kehlani
- Muni Long
- Summer Walker
- SZA
- Victoria Monét
- Bruno Mars
- Chris Brown
- Drake
- Fridayy
- Leon Thomas
- Teddy Swims
- The Weeknd
- Usher
- 41
- Common & Pete Rock
- Drake & PARTYNEXTDOOR
- FLO
- Future & Metro Boomin
- Jacquees & Dej Loaf
- Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist
- Maverick City Music
- 30 for 30 – SZA feat. Kendrick Lamar
- Alter Ego – Doechii feat. JT
- Are You Even Real – Teddy Swims feat. 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 feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne
- Timeless – The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti
- Cardi B
- Doechii
- Doja Cat
- GloRilla
- Latto
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Nicki Minaj
- Rapsody
- Sexyy Red
- Burna Boy
- BigXthaPlug
- Bossman Dlow
- Drake
- Future
- Kendrick Lamar
- Key Glock
- Lil Wayne
- Tyler, the Creator
- 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 feat. Playboi Carti
- Type Shit – Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Playboi Carti
- Anderson .Paak
- B Pace Productions & Jacquees
- Benny Boom
- Cactus Jack
- Cole Bennett
- Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
- Dave Meyers
- Foggieraw
- Tyler, the Creator
- 41
- Ayra Starr
- BigXthaPlug
- Bossman Dlow
- Dee Billz
- Leon Thomas
- October London
- Shaboozey
- Teddy Swims
- A God (There Is) – Common & Pete Rock feat. Jennifer Hudson
- Amen – Pastor Mike Jr.
- Better Days – Fridayy
- Church Doors – Yolanda Adams feat. Sir The Baptist & Donald Lawrence (Terry Hunter Remix)
- Constant – Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore & Anthony Gargiula
- Deserve to Win – Tamela Mann
- Faith – Rapsody
- Rain Down on Me – GloRilla feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music
- Residuals – Chris Brown
- Denial is a River – Doechii
- Nokia – Drake
- Like That – Future & Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar
- TGIF – GloRilla
- Not Like Us – Kendrick Lamar
- Luther – Kendrick Lamar & SZA
- Brokey – Latto
- 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)
- 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)
- Beautiful People – Mary J. Blige
- Blackbiird – Beyoncé feat. 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
- 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
- Aaron Pierre
- Aldis Hodge
- Anthony Mackie
- Colman Domingo
- Denzel Washington
- Jamie Foxx
- Joey Bada$$
- Kevin Hart
- Sterling K. Brown
- Will Smith
- Andra Day
- Angela Bassett
- Coco Jones
- Cynthia Erivo
- Keke Palmer
- Kerry Washington
- Quinta Brunson
- Viola Davis
- Zendaya
- Akira Akbar
- Blue Ivy Carter
- Gracelyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth
- Heiress Harris
- Melody Hurd
- Thaddeus J. Mixson
- Tyrik Johnson
- VanVan
- A’ja Wilson
- Angel Reese
- Claressa Shields
- Coco Gauff
- Dawn Staley
- Flau’jae Johnson
- Juju Watkins
- Sha’Carri Richardson
- Simone Biles
- Aaron Judge
- Anthony Edwards
- Deion Sanders
- Jalen Hurts
- Jayson Tatum
- LeBron James
- Saquon Barkley
- Stephen Curry
