Ayra Starr has emerged as the most nominated African act as the organisers of the BET Awards confirm the list of nominees for the 2025 edition.
The BET Awards are back for their 25th anniversary, and the 2025 edition is already shaping up to be one for the books with the Sabi girl herself leading the list of nominees for African artists.
Set to air live on June 9, 2025, from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, the show will be hosted by comedian Kevin Hart and will celebrate the best in Black music, entertainment, and culture from around the world.
Kendrick Lamar leads the pack this year with an impressive 10 nominations, thanks to the impact of his latest album GNX and the viral success of his Drake diss track Not Like Us. Hot on his heels are Doechii, Drake, Future, and GloRilla, all picking up six nominations each. Metro Boomin, SZA, and The Weeknd also feature prominently with multiple nods.
Here are the nominees for the BET Awards 2025 below:
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Ari LennoxAyra StarrCoco JonesKehlaniMuni LongSummer WalkerSZAVictoria MonétAlbum of the Year
$ome $exy $ongs 4 U – Drake & Partynextdoor11:11 Deluxe – Chris BrownAlligator Bites Never Heal – DoechiiCowboy Carter – BeyoncéGlorious – GloRillaGNX – Kendrick LamarHurry Up Tomorrow – The WeekndWe Don’t Trust You – Future & Metro BoominBest Male R&B/Pop Artist
Bruno MarsChris BrownDrakeFridayyLeon ThomasTeddy SwimsThe WeekndUsherBest Group
41Common & Pete RockDrake & PartynextdoorFLOFuture & Metro BoominJacquees & Dej LoafLarry June, 2 Chainz, The AlchemistMaverick City MusicBest Collaboration
“30 For 30” – SZA feat. Kendrick Lamar“Alter Ego” – Doechii feat. JT“Are You Even Real” – Teddy Swims feat. 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 feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne“Timeless” – The Weeknd feat. Playboi CartiBest Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi BDoechiiDoja CatGloRillaLattoMegan Thee StallionNicki MinajRapsodySexyy RedBest Male Hip Hop Artist
BigXthaPlugBossman DLowBurna BoyDrakeFutureKendrick LamarKey GlockLil WayneTyler, The CreatorVideo 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 feat. Playboi Carti“Type Shit” – Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Playboi CartiVideo Director of the Year
Anderson .PaakB Pace Productions & JacqueesBenny BoomCactus JackCole BennettDave Free & Kendrick LamarDave MeyersFoggierawTyler, The CreatorBest New Artist
41Ayra StarrBigXthaPlugBossman DLowDee BillzLeon ThomasOctober LondonShaboozeyTeddy SwimsDr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award“A God (There Is)” – Common & Pete Rock feat. Jennifer Hudson“Amen” – Pastor Mike Jr.“Better Days” – Fridayy“Church Doors” – Yolanda Adams feat. Sir The Baptist & Donald Lawrence (Terry Hunter Remix)“Constant” – Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore & Anthony Gargiula“Deserve to Win” – Tamela Mann“Faith” – Rapsody“Rain Down on Me” – GloRilla feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City MusicViewer’s Choice Award
“Residuals” – Chris Brown
“Denial Is a River” – Doechii
“Nokia” – Drake
“Like That” – Future & Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar
“TGIF” – GloRilla
“Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar
“Luther” – Kendrick Lamar & SZA
“Brokey” – Latto
Best International Act
Any Gabrielly (Brazil)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Basky (UK)
Black Sherif (Ghana)
Ezra Collective (UK)
Joé Dwèt Filé (France)
MC Luanna (Brazil)
Rema (Nigeria)
SDM (France)
Tyla (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)
Best New International Act
Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
Ajulicosta (Brazil)
Amabbi (Brazil)
Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
Dr Yaro (France)
KWN (UK)
Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa)
Merveille (France)
Odeal (UK)
Shallipopi (Nigeria)
TxC (South Africa)
BET Her
“Beautiful People” – Mary J. Blige
“Blackbiird” – Beyoncé feat. 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” – Tems
“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 Pierce
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
Young Stars Award
Akira Akbar
Blue Ivy Carter
Graceyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth
Heiress Harris
Melody Hurd
Thaddeus J. Mixson
Tyrik Johnson
VanVan
Sportswoman of the Year
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
Aaron Judge
Anthony Edwards
Deion Sanders
Jalen Hurts
Jayson Tatum
LeBron James
Saquon Barkley
Stephen Curry
