The nominees for the 2025 BET Awards were unveiled on Thursday, May 8, spotlighting a strong presence of Nigerian Afrobeats stars alongside some of global music’s biggest names.
Ayra Starr led the Nigerian contingent with an impressive three nominations — Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Best New Artist, and Best International Act — solidifying her rapid rise on the global stage.
Tems, known for her soulful voice and empowering lyrics, secured two nominations in the BET Her category for her songs Burning and Hold On.
Rema, Shallipopi, and Burna Boy also earned spots on the prestigious list. Rema was nominated for Best International Act, Burna Boy for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist, and Shallipopi for Best New International Act.
On the international front, American rap icon Kendrick Lamar leads all nominees with 10 nods, while Drake, Future, Doechii, and GloRilla follow with six nominations each.
The 2025 BET Awards will take place on June 9 at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles and will be broadcast live on BET, promising a night of music, culture, and celebration of Black excellence.
