Wafric News – May 9, 2025

The 2025 BET Awards is once again turning the global spotlight on Africa, with Nigerian and African music heavyweights earning standout recognition across top categories. Afrobeats continues to dominate the international stage, and this year’s nominee list proves it's not slowing down anytime soon.

Leading the African charge is Mavin’s breakout star Ayra Starr, who bagged three major nominations — Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Best New Artist, and Best International Act. At just 22, the "Rush" hitmaker is proving she’s not just a rising star, but a global powerhouse in the making.

Tems, who continues to mesmerize the world with her unique blend of soulful vocals and emotive songwriting, earned two nods in the BET Her category, for her inspiring tracks “Burning” and “Hold On”.

Burna Boy, Rema, and Shallipopi are also representing Nigeria on the prestigious list, further showing the world that African music is not just trending — it’s leading.

On the international front, Kendrick Lamar sits at the top with a whopping 10 nominations, followed closely by Doechii, Future, Drake, and GloRilla, each securing six. The likes of SZA, The Weeknd, and Metro Boomin also racked up multiple nominations.

Set to broadcast live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 9, the BET Awards will celebrate excellence across music, film, and sports.

Here’s a quick look at some of the major categories:

BET Her

WafricNews will be following the awards closely and bringing you exclusive coverage as it unfolds. The full nominee list includes dozens of standout talents across genres — from Hollywood icons to Gen Z game-changers.

See the full nominee list on our site or follow us for more exclusive African entertainment coverage.


By WafricNews Desk.