Entertainment

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

Published

12 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

Why I Stopped Attending Church Service – Funke Akindele

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Famous Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, has opened up on why she lost interest in attending church service.

The actress who made the revelation in a Snapchat video on Sunday, stated that she stopped going to church because attention often shifted to her rather than the service.

While explaining that she’s always the one they take pictures of, the actress said she now joins church service online.

Akindele said “Anytime I go to church, I am always the one they take pictures of. So I will join online.”

Recall that in 2022, Akindele openly identified herself with the Celestial Church of Christ.

“Every time I have challenges I go to the Celestial church quietly at night for solutions. But I have to stop hiding and publicly identify with the church”, she said.

Entertainment

‘My Mum Started Quoting Bible’ — Shank Sparks Debate After Tattoo Confession

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Popular Nigerian content creator, Shank has stirred reactions online after opening up about a personal clash with his mother over tattoos, while also revealing a fresh body ink linked to his “Lit Gang” identity.

The revelation surfaced in a recent viral video shared on his social platforms, where he recounted the moment he tattooed his mother’s name, “Oluremi,” on his arm.

According to him, what he expected to be an emotional moment quickly turned tense.

“The day I tattooed my mum’s name on my arm, she started crying and quoting Bible,” Shank said.

He explained that his mother strongly opposed the act, citing religious reasons and warning him against marking his body.

“She told me, ‘did I ask you to draw my name? I don’t like it. Don’t do tattoo again. God said don’t mark your body,’” he recalled.

Shank, however, said he challenged her stance by pointing out what he described as a contradiction.

“I asked her, if you say I should leave my body the way God created it, why do you shave your hair? You that shave hair and me that draw tattoo, we are committing the same sin,” he added.

The content creator used the moment to advise young people navigating similar situations with parents, stressing the importance of independence when making personal decisions.

“Just make sure you’re independent before doing what your parents are not comfortable with,” he said.

Amid the conversation, Shank also unveiled a new tattoo on his back with the inscription “Lit Gang,” a move that has further fueled reactions among fans.

While some social media users backed his arguement on personal choice and self-expression, others sided with his mother, citing cultural and religious concerns about body markings.

The development has continued to generate debate online, highlighting the growing tension between traditional beliefs and modern youth culture in Nigeria’s entertainment space.

Entertainment

Drama As Eniola Badmus Challenges Funke Akindele To Celebrity Boxing Fight

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Popular Nollywood actress, Eniola Badmus, has challenged Funke Akindele to a celebrity boxing fight.

This came a few hours after Nigerian streamer, Carter Efe defeated Portable in a celebrity boxing match.

Carter Efe defeated Portable on Friday to win the N50 million prize.

Following Carter’s victory, E-Money, a Lagos-based socialist gifted him N50 to celebrate his win.

Prior to the match, popular talent manager, and music executive, Soso Soberekon, gave N40 million to Carter Efe and Portable each.

However, speaking in a now viral post on her Instagram page, Eniola Badmus challenged Funke Akindele to a boxing fight and called on E-Money and Soso Soberekon to sponsor the match.

She wrote “Funke Akindele, let’s get on the boxing ring. It’s about time. Soso, E-Money, let’s get to it. No time. Money has to be made.”