The 2025 BET Awards have dropped their nominations list, and African excellence is front and center, loud, proud, and history-making. Leading the African charge is Nigeria’s Ayra Starr, who bagged three major nominations: Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Best New Artist, and Best International Act. She’s not alone. Tems, with her soul-stirring tracks Burning and Hold On from her debut album Born in the Wild, clinched two BET Her nominations.
Also flying the Nigerian flag are Burna Boy (Best Male Hip-Hop Artist), Rema (Best International Act), and Shallipopi, whose breakout success earned him a nod for Best New International Act. The continent’s presence doesn’t end there. Tyla and Uncle Waffles from South Africa, Black Sherif from Ghana, and Abigail Chams from Tanzania are all featured in key categories, making this year one of the most Africa-dominated lineups in BET history.
Set to air live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 9, 2025, the 25th Anniversary of the BET Awards is spotlighting a cultural movement. African music is trending; it’s transcending.
Kendrick Lamar and the U.S. Heavyweights – A Quick Global Context
Before we get back to the African wave, it’s worth noting who leads the pack globally. Kendrick Lamar tops the 2025 BET nominations with a jaw-dropping 10 nods, including Album of the Year (GNX), Video of the Year (Not Like Us), and multiple collab categories. He is followed by heavy-hitters like Drake, Future, Doechii, and GloRilla, each with six nominations. Metro Boomin, SZA, and The Weeknd round out the top-tier nominees.
So why does this matter? Because African artists are now listed right alongside these international titans, not buried in niche categories, but sharing prime slots.
BET 2025 Marks a New Era for Afrobeats
The sheer number of Nigerian nominees this year is no accident; it is proof of a genre that has gone from Lagos lounges to Coachella stages. BET’s recognition of Afrobeats’ global footprint is a reality check for the industry at large. Ayra Starr, Tems, Rema, Burna Boy, and Shallipopi are not anomalies. They are representatives of a movement.
BET’s Senior VP, Monde Twala, captured it perfectly:
The 2025 nominations reflect the incredible creativity, influence, and impact of African artists who are shaping culture and pushing boundaries.
The Award Night – What to Expect
The 25th Anniversary of the BET Awards is scheduled for June 9, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Beyond the glitz and performances, this edition is poised to make a loud statement about cultural influence, and Africa is the headliner.
From Lagos to Johannesburg and Accra to Dar es Salaam, the BET Awards are now as much an African celebration as they are an American one. If you are tuning in, expect more than just performances; you are witnessing history.
Africa’s Music Scene Is Having Its Moment
The 2025 BET Awards nominations list says a lot without needing to overstate it. Nigerian artists like Ayra Starr, Tems, Burna Boy, Rema, and Shallipopi are part of the main story. They have worked, grown, and made music that connects across borders. That is why they are here.
These nominations matter because they reflect what listeners around the world are already tuning into. From Nigeria to South Africa, Ghana to Tanzania, the sound coming out of Africa is strong, original, and undeniable. This year, the spotlight is shared and well-earned.
Let the awards come. The talent has already spoken.
