Entertainment

FULL LIST: Burna Boy, Shallipopi, Rema Get 2025 BET Awards Nominations As Ayra Starr Leads

Published

4 months ago

May 9, 2025

The 2025 BET Awards nominations are out—and African artists are making history.
With stars like Nigeria’s Ayra Starr, Rema, Shallipopi, and Burna Boy earning nods in top-tier categories traditionally dominated by American acts, this year’s lineup signals a powerful shift in global music dynamics.

Slated for 9 June at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, the awards are shaping up to be a landmark celebration of Black talent across the world.

Ayra Starr is nominated for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist—a fiercely contested category that includes SZA, Summer Walker, and Victoria Monét—marking a career milestone and reinforcing her rapid ascent on the global stage.

Africa’s influence continues in the Best International Act category, where Starr is joined by fellow Nigerian Rema, Ghana’s Black Sherif, South Africa’s Tyla, and eSwatini’s Uncle Waffles.

They’re up against peers from Brazil, France, and the UK, highlighting the continent’s expanding footprint in global music conversations.

Rising stars from South Africa, Nigeria, and Tanzania also dominate the Best New International Act category, further cementing Africa’s role as a hotbed of fresh, genre-defying talent.

Perhaps most notably, Burna Boy breaks new ground with a nomination for Best Male Hip Hop Artist, going head-to-head with heavyweights like Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Tyler, the Creator—a rare crossover into a category typically reserved for U.S. rap icons.

As anticipation builds, this year’s BET Awards are already being hailed as a moment of reckoning for African music’s influence—and a celebration of its rightful place on the world stage.

Here is the full list of nominees, categories:

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’ – Tem
‘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

Launched in 2001, the BET Awards were created by Black Entertainment Television to celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and entertainment.
Over the years, the show has evolved into one of the most influential platforms honouring Black excellence globally.

Held annually, the awards spotlight trailblazing talent and cultural milestones, with performances, tributes, and iconic moments that shape the broader narrative of Black artistry.

As the entertainment industry becomes more global, the BET Awards have expanded their reach, increasingly recognising international acts—particularly from Africa—whose voices are redefining the global music landscape.
Tosin Oyediran
Tosin, with over six years’ experience, conducts incisive interviews, pens engaging features, subedits and delivers impactful stories for the digital sphere.

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Entertainment

Nigerian Singer Attih Soul Performs At Barcelona Star Lamine’s Birthday

Published

2 days ago

September 10, 2025

Editor

Spain-based Nigerian singer, Attih Soul, performed at Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal’s 18th birthday party on July 13, 2025.

The rising star thrilled the audience with his distinctive blend of R&B and soul. His captivating performance had the celebrant and guests bouncing and cheering.

The choice of Attih Soul’s music as the soundtrack to Lamine’s exclusive, star-studded celebration has sparked speculation that he may be one of the footballer’s favourite artists.

Yamal has often spoken of his love for African music.

Throughout his career, Attih Soul has earned several accolades, including the Best Performer award at the World Music Day Festival in Nigeria.

In 2017, he was chosen to write and perform the theme song for Nigeria’s Democracy Day.

He also performed at the Road to Yalta Music Festival in Russia, where he received the prestigious Golden Microphone award. Through his album Shades of Emotions and his commanding vocal presence, Attih Soul is steadily earning recognition for his deeply expressive and soulful artistry.

Entertainment

Why I’m Yet To Marry Tiktoker Peller —AI Robotic Content Creator, Jarvis,

Published

2 days ago

September 10, 2025

Editor

Popular AI robotic content creator, Jarvis, has finally disclosed why she is yet to marry Peller, her younger boyfriend.

Jarvis revealed this while speaking about her relationship with Peller, a controversial TikToker.

The 23-year-old, during a recent live TikTok stream, explained that Peller’s age is a significant factor delaying their marriage.

“Peller can change one day and say I am too old for him. I’m old enough for marriage but Peller’s age is slowing me down. We would have been married if he was older. I have to ensure that he grows up to a certain age that is right. I can’t pressure him to get married at this age,” she said.

In response, Peller insisted that he is ready for marriage, dismissing Jarvis’s concerns.

This comes after Jarvis, 23, confirmed her engagement to the 20-year-old TikToker during an interview with Channels TV in July 2025.

Entertainment

Why I Won’t Allow My Partner Go To Gym – Terry Apala

Published

2 days ago

September 10, 2025

Editor

Nigerian music artist, Terry Apala, has revealed why he will never allow his partner to go to a public gym.

According to the Apala Disco hitmaker, a lot of women go to the gym to seduce men and make videos instead of working out.

Terry, who stated this in a recent interview with Echo Room hosted by reality star Teddy A, claimed that he was speaking from experience.

“I will not allow my partner to go to the gym. I was a member of iFitness VGC so I’ve been there. I saw what was going down. I feel like ladies of nowadays are just going to the gym to just vibe and do videos. They’re just vibing, they’re not there to actually work out.

“If they really want to work out, they won’t be focused on doing videos. They are just there to seduce men because some men also go to the gym to look for women. I’m speaking from experience. I also once registered with a gym in Megamound Estate. I saw things there. Girls go there to do all manner of things.

“A lot of ladies are just at the gym to have fun. Maybe, few ladies are going to the gym to actually work out, but many of them are just going there to enjoy the vibe,” he expressed.