Entertainment
FULL LIST: Burna Boy, Shallipopi, Rema Get 2025 BET Awards Nominations As Ayra Starr Leads
Published
3 weeks agoon
By
Editor
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)
READ ALSO: (FULL LIST) Davido, Mohbad, Tems, Others Shine At 17th Headies Awards
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
READ ALSO: Full List Of Winners At Oscars 2025
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
READ ALSO: Full List Of Diamond League Finals Winners
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
Many Men Coming After Me, Not Sure Who To Pick — Nollywood Actress, Angela Okorie
Published
7 days agoon
May 25, 2025By
Editor
Nollywood actress Angela Okorie has opened up about the overwhelming attention she’s receiving from men since her public breakup with oil magnate, Oil Money, expressing uncertainty about who to trust.
Speaking on her current ordeal about suitors, the movie star reposted a message suggesting that good women are rare and often taken for granted by the wrong men.
“A good woman is not easy to find nowadays. You have to steal her from a careless man who doesn’t value what he has,” the quote read.
READ ALSO:Veteran Nollywood Actress, George Opens Up On Life Struggle
She questioned if this was the reason behind the recent flood of admirers in her inbox. “Is that why there are so many guys on my DM? God abeg o. I’m running for my life, and I don’t know who to trust anymore,” she wrote.
Her remarks come weeks after she confirmed her split from Oil Money, a relationship she had once showcased on social media. Angela explained that she had to end things due to his unfaithful lifestyle, branding him a pathological liar and narcissist.
In a previous post, she revealed that despite blocking him on all platforms, her ex continued to reach out through friends and even begged for forgiveness after tarnishing her name online. Angela also shared evidence of messages where he pleaded with her to return.
READ ALSO: Nollywood Actor Kunle Afolayan Loses Mother
The mother of one has since vowed never to flaunt another man publicly unless it leads to marriage. “It’s all deception,” she noted, warning other women to be cautious about romanticizing public relationships.
Earlier this year, the actress had clashed with a notorious Instagram blogger over false claims about her love life, making it clear that she would no longer tolerate the spread of misinformation.
“Too many good guys in my DM, but who’s real and who’s fake?” she quipped.
Entertainment
Alleged $1m Fraud: P-Square’s Peter Lied About Education, Royalties, Bank Access–Defence Lawyer
Published
1 week agoon
May 24, 2025By
Editor
In a dramatic turn of events in the ongoing fraud trial involving Nigerian music star Peter Okoye of P-Square and their former manager Jude Okoye, the defence counsel, Clement Onwuenwunor, SAN, on Friday accused Peter of deliberately misleading the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, with false and contradictory claims.
The EFCC had arraigned the defendant alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd on a four-count charge.
In one of the counts, Jude and his Northside Music Limited allegedly dishonestly converted the sum of $767,544.15 to his use.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In his evidence in chief on May 16, Peter had narrated how he was allegedly defrauded by his brother Jude and Northside Entertainment.
However during cross examination, on Friday, defence lawyer, Onwuenwunor pointedly told the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, presided over by Justice Rahman Oshodi that Peter’s testimony was riddled with inconsistencies and outright fabrications intended to mislead the EFCC and tarnish the reputation of the defendant, Jude Okoye.
READ ALSO: EFCC Arraigns Lawyer For N41m Fraud In Enugu
During a heated cross-examination, the defence discredited Peter’s earlier statement to the EFCC in which he described himself as a graduate of the University of Abuja.
Contrary to that claim, Onwuenwunor revealed that Peter had, in fact, dropped out of the institution.
When confronted with the discrepancy between his oral claims and written EFCC testimony, Peter attempted to backtrack, stating that he had only said he “attended” the university.
However, the defence tendered the EFCC’s documented records in which Peter specifically described himself as a “graduate,” prompting him to admit in open court that he had not completed his studies.
Onwuenwunor further presented documentary evidence proving that Peter and his twin brother Paul were not only aware of but also had signatory access to Northside Entertainment Limited accounts.
Contrary to Peter’s earlier claim that Jude Okoye was the sole signatory and that he had no access to financial dealings, the defence produced a bank mandate clearly stating that Jude was a Category A signatory, while Peter and Paul were Category B signatories.
READ ALSO: DSS Grants Nnamdi Kanu’s family, lawyers Access After Pressure
The defence counsel also submitted bank statements that showed Peter personally withdrew large sums in both naira and dollars from the company’s account.
There were also multiple direct transfers made to him by Jude Okoye. These records stood in direct contradiction to Peter’s sworn statement that he never benefited financially from the company or from any deals executed under Jude’s management.
Onwuenwunor also questioned Peter over his claim regarding royalty payments from Mad Solutions, the company handling the P-Square music catalogue.
Peter had previously testified that he was unaware of the contract with Mad Solutions and had only received $25,000 and $20,000 in royalty payments, implying that Jude had siphoned the larger share.
But the defence countered the narrative by presenting documents to the court confirming that the agreement with Mad Solutions was signed by all three parties—Jude, Peter, and Paul—and that each had equal entitlement to royalty payments.
READ ALSO: Rivers Crisis: Legislative Lawyers Ask Supreme Court To Review Judgement
The document contrary to Peter’s assertion, according to the defence, revealed that he actually received $4,330.47 and $5,837.35 as his first and second payments, respectively—figures far lower than the $25,000 and $20,000 he claimed under oath.
“Peter’s testimony before the EFCC is riddled with lies and misrepresentations. He has made multiple assertions that have now been shown to be false under cross-examination. This is not just a matter of forgetfulness. This is an intentional effort to mislead investigators and this honourable court,” Onwuenwunor told the court.
Justice Oshodi, while admitting several of the bank documents and EFCC statements into evidence, advised the defence to ensure all documents are made available to the prosecution ahead of further proceedings.
“If you intend to use a document, make it available to them to make the trial faster,” the judge said.
The trial was adjourned to October 10 and 17, 2025, for continuation of trial.
Entertainment
VIDEO: Davido Hosts Highlife Legend Bright Chimezie In Lagos
Published
2 weeks agoon
May 19, 2025By
Editor
Afrobeats Superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido has linked up with legendary Nigerian highlife musician Bright Chimezie in Lagos.
In videos shared on Instagram on Monday, Davido was seen warmly greeting and engaging in lively conversation with the iconic performer, known for his signature “Zigima” style.
This face-to-face moment follows a recent video call between the two, where Davido paid tribute to Chimezie and credited his 2018 song “Because of English” as the inspiration behind Davido’s latest track “With You,” featuring Omah Lay.
“I got inspiration from your song, God bless you” Davido said during the call, which was posted by nightlife mogul Cubana Chief Priest.
READ ALSO: Davido, Asa To Perform At National Sports Festival’s Opening Ceremony In Abeokuta
During the conversation, Davido previewed the “With You” music video for Chimezie and extended a warm invitation to Lagos, saying, “It would be nice to meet you face-to-face.” .
Bright Chimezie responded warmly, praising the song as a “beautiful piece of work” and expressing his appreciation for Davido’s homage.
Chimezie responded warmly, calling the new song “a beautiful piece of work” and commending Davido’s appreciation for his musical legacy.
𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐨 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐳𝐢𝐞 𝐈𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐬
Afrobeats Superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido has linked up with legendary Nigerian highlife musician Bright Chimezie in Lagos.
In videos shared on… pic.twitter.com/M44NMfZAIE
Advertisement— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) May 19, 2025
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