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

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)
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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
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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.
Entertainment
Why I Linked Isbae U With Obasanjo — Charly Boy

Veteran entertainer and activist, Charly Boy, has explained why he helped connect former President Olusegun Obasanjo with Nigerian comedian and content creator, Isbae U, for his popular YouTube programme, Curiosity Made Me Ask.
Charly Boy, in a post on X on Monday, said he facilitated the meeting because he believed in creating opportunities for young Nigerians and encouraging older generations to engage with their ideas and platforms.
According to him, Obasanjo’s appearance on the programme demonstrated what could happen when experienced older Nigerians were willing to step into the world of younger people.
“Sometimes, the greatest thing you fit give a young person no be money. Na opportunity. Look at wetin happen when Baba entered Bae U’s world,” he wrote.
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Charly Boy noted that Obasanjo, despite his age and experience, embraced the unconventional format of the programme and matched Isbae U’s energy.
“A man of his age and experience sat down with a young man whose style dey completely different from wetin he is used to. Baba no just sit there looking serious. He matched the energy, played along and showed Nigerians another side of himself,” he said.
Explaining his role in bringing the two together, Charly Boy said he had enough confidence in the young people behind the programme to introduce them to the former president.
“And who helped make that connection happen? CharlyBoy. Fada believed in the young people behind that show enough to pull Baba into their space,” he said.
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Obasanjo’s appearance on Curiosity Made Me Ask attracted widespread attention after the former president joined in the programme’s trademark humour and banter with Isbae U.
The host jokingly introduced Obasanjo as his former employee, claiming that he had paid his salary, provided his food and paid his rent at Aso Rock between 1999 and 2007.
Obasanjo played along with the joke while also responding to questions about contemporary Nigerian pop culture, including whether he knew music producer, Don Jazzy; dancer, Poco Lee; and content creator, Carter Efe.
The former president said he did not know them, prompting further banter from the host.
Reflecting on the wider significance of the interview, Charly Boy urged older Nigerians to do more than encourage young people to succeed, saying they should also create opportunities for them.
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“To the older generation: don’t only tell young people to succeed. Give them room. Open doors. Recommend them. Trust them with opportunities,” he wrote.
He also urged young Nigerians to prepare themselves to take advantage of opportunities when they come.
“To the younger generation: don’t wait for somebody to hand you a future. Build something worth believing in. When opportunity comes, be ready,” he said.
Charly Boy called for greater collaboration between generations, saying such partnerships could create opportunities for both the young and old.
“When generations support each other, everybody gets to grow. Na so legacy suppose work,” he wrote.
Entertainment
ORB Entertainment Launches Music Distribution Platform For African Artists

ORB Entertainment has officially launched its digital music distribution platform to help independent African artists release music globally, manage their careers and retain control of their earnings.
Founded by Oluwaseun Ridwan Bamiro and headquartered in Lagos, ORB Entertainment provides artists with access to Spotify, Apple Music, Boomplay, TikTok and more than 150 other supported digital music platforms.
The company said the platform was developed to address some of the barriers faced by independent African musicians, including limited access to professional distribution infrastructure, high entry costs and difficulty managing releases across several services.
Artists can create an account and begin with ORB’s free plan. The platform also offers paid plans with additional tools for artists who require broader release and career-management support. ORB charges no commission on artists’ royalties, allowing musicians on every plan to retain 100 per cent of the royalties received for their music.
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“Our goal is to give independent African artists access to the infrastructure they need to build sustainable global careers,” Bamiro said. “Talented musicians should not need to sign away ownership or depend on a traditional record label before they can distribute their work professionally.”
ORB’s release system enables artists to upload their recordings, submit metadata, manage artwork and select supported digital stores through one platform. The company reviews submitted releases within 24 hours, although the final processing and publication schedule remains subject to the requirements of each streaming service.
ORB’s growing catalogue includes “Sure Thing” by M26ix, with additional projects from the artist expected following the platform’s official launch. The company said its work with emerging artists demonstrates how independent African musicians can use accessible distribution infrastructure to reach wider audiences.
Beyond distribution, ORB provides tools designed to assist artists with release preparation, promotional content, audience development and copyright protection. The company said these services are intended to make professional music infrastructure more accessible to emerging creators.
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The launch comes as African music continues to attract international listeners and investment. However, many independent musicians still face challenges accessing the technology, industry knowledge and operational support needed to convert that attention into sustainable careers.
ORB Entertainment plans to expand its presence across more African markets while developing additional services for independent artists, labels and music professionals.
“Our vision is to build an ecosystem in which African artists can release music, reach audiences and grow their businesses without losing control of their work,” Bamiro added.
The company said artists can begin on its free plan, making its distribution infrastructure accessible to emerging musicians who may not yet have the resources available to established acts.
Entertainment
Why Funke Akindele Was Not At My Movie Premiere – Kamo State

Popular skit maker and actor, Akinyoola Ayoola, better known as Kamo State, has explained why Nollywood actress Funke Akindele was absent from the premiere of his debut cinema film, Star Lomo.
Kamo State said Akindele could not attend the premiere because she was out of the country, dismissing speculation that her absence was connected to a disagreement between them.
The clarification came after Akindele’s absence from Sunday’s premiere in Lagos sparked reactions on social media, with some users questioning whether the actress and Kamo were still on good terms.
In a statement shared on X on Monday, Kamo said, “I woke up to see different opinions online about Iyamii and myself. Please, we’re on good terms.”
READ ALSO: Funke Akindele Faces Backlash For Celebrating Birthday Hours Ogogo’s Death
He explained that Akindele had discussed the premiere with him but was unable to attend because she was outside the country.
He said, “She missed my premiere simply because she wasn’t in the country and nothing more to it, so please don’t assume otherwise.”
Kamo added that Akindele had promised to support the film and urged people to stop speculating about their personal relationship.
Kamo added, “We’ve spoken about it, and she’s going to support this film. I’d appreciate it if our personal relationship isn’t speculated on. Let’s keep our focus on the film.”
READ ALSO: Why I’m No Longer Seen With Funke Akindele — Kamo
Kamo’s relationship with Akindele became more prominent during the production and promotion of Everybody Loves Jenifa in 2024, after which he became closely associated with the actress.
He frequently appeared in content shared by Akindele on Snapchat, while the actress also hosted him and his wife and publicly supported some of his projects.
Through his association with Akindele, Kamo featured in projects including Aiyetoro Town Season 2, Behind The Scenes and Everybody Loves Jenifa.
The pair were also seen together at several events, with Akindele regularly showing support for Kamo.
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