Ayra Starr bags 3 nominations ahead of Burna Boy, Tems, other African nominees for BET Awards 2025

BET has announced the nominees for the “BET Awards” 2025. The list features a diverse group of artists from around the world.

From Africa, notable talents include Burna Boy, Tems, Rema, and Tyla. Other nominees are Ayra Starr, Black Sherif, Shallipopi, Shaboozey, Odeal, and Maglera Doe Boy. Uncle Waffles, Dlala Thukzin, Abigail Chams, and TxC also received recognition for their contributions to music and culture.

Nigerian star Ayra Starr stands out with three nominations. She is nominated for ‘Best Female R&B/Pop Artist’, ‘Best New Artist’, and ‘Best International Act’.

Tems continues to shine with two nominations in the ‘BET Her’ category. Her songs “Burning” and “Hold On” are both from her debut album “Born In The Wild”. These nominations highlight her as a leading voice in contemporary music.

The ‘Best New International Act’ category features several African breakout stars. Shallipopi, Odeal, Maglera Doe Boy, Abigail Chams, and Dlala Thukzin all receive well-deserved recognition.

The awards also celebrate achievements in film and television. Actress Cynthia Erivo has two nominations: ‘Best Actress’ and ‘BET Her’ for her duet “Defying Gravity” with Ariana Grande.

Monde Twala commented on the nominations. He emphasized BET's commitment to celebrating Black excellence globally. He noted that this year’s nominees showcase creativity and influence from African artists shaping culture today.

Kendrick Lamar leads with ten nominations this year. Doechii, Drake, Future, and GloRilla each have six nominations. Metro Boomin follows with five nominations while SZA and The Weeknd have four each.

The 2025 nominees reflect diverse creative expression across various fields. Nominations were chosen by the BET Voting Academy of entertainment professionals and influencers in music and media.