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Wafric News – May 10, 2025

Kendrick Lamar has once again proven he’s not just part of the conversation—he is the conversation.

The 2025 BET Awards nominations dropped Thursday, and Lamar leads the field with a commanding 10 nominations, including Album of the Year for GNX and Video of the Year for the scathing chart-topper Not Like Us, which many still see as the knockout blow in his headline-making lyrical war with Drake.

Hot on his heels are Drake, Doechii, Future, and GloRilla, each racking up six nominations and setting the stage for one of the most competitive BET Awards in recent memory.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR – WHO TAKES THE CROWN?

From Beyoncé’s country reinvention on Cowboy Carter to The Weeknd’s cinematic Hurry Up Tomorrow, this year’s album category is stacked. But it’s Kendrick’s GNX—a fusion of social critique and sonic mastery—that’s generating the most buzz.

Nominees:

  • Kendrick Lamar – GNX

  • Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter

  • Doechii – Alligator Bites Never Heal

  • GloRilla – Glorious

  • Drake & PartyNextDoor – $Some $Sexy $Songs 4 U

  • Future & Metro Boomin – We Don’t Trust You

  • Chris Brown – 11:11 Deluxe

  • The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow

HIP-HOP HEAVYWEIGHTS & RISING QUEENS

The Best Male Hip-Hop Artist category features rap titans like Kendrick, Drake, Future, and Tyler, The Creator. Meanwhile, on the women’s side, Doechii, GloRilla, Latto, and Sexyy Red go head-to-head in the Best Female Hip-Hop Artist race.

AFRICAN STARS SHINE IN GLOBAL CATEGORIES

Africa makes a strong showing once again. Tyla (South Africa), Ayra Starr (Nigeria), Rema (Nigeria), and Uncle Waffles (Swaziland) are among the big names up for Best International Act, proving the continent’s cultural capital continues to rise.

Best New International Act includes exciting newcomers like Shallipopi (Nigeria), Dlala Thukzin (South Africa), and Abigail Chams (Tanzania).

MOVIES, GOSPEL & VIEWER’S FAVORITES

In the Best Movie category, fans are rooting for crowd-pleasers like Bad Boys: Ride or Die and the upcoming Mufasa: The Lion King. Meanwhile, GloRilla’s powerful gospel collab with Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music on Rain Down on Me is up for the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award.

The Viewer’s Choice category is a battlefield in its own right, featuring Chris Brown, Latto, Doechii, Kendrick, and Drake all vying for the people’s vote.

DIRECTORS BEHIND THE VISUAL MAGIC

Kendrick’s creative partner Dave Free shares a nomination with him for Video Director of the Year, alongside big names like Benny Boom, Tyler, The Creator, and Anderson .Paak.

The 2025 BET Awards are shaping up to be a celebration of artistry, lyricism, and cultural impact—from global powerhouses to homegrown heroes. With Kendrick at the helm of this year's nominations, all eyes will be on the stage to see who truly runs the game.


By WafricNews Desk.

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