Today, BET officially unveiled the highly anticipated nominees for the “BET Awards” 2025, spotlighting a diverse slate of artists from around the globe. Leading the charge from Africa are powerhouse talents Tyla, Uncle Waffles, Maglera Doe Boy, Dlala Thukzin, TxC, Burna Boy, Tems, Rema, Ayra Starr, Black Sherif, Shallipopi, Shaboozey, Odeal, and Abigail Chams, all recognized for their exceptional contributions to music and culture over the past year.
After an impressive run with chart-topping hits and international acclaim, Nigerian sensation Ayra Starr emerges as one of the top African nominees, scoring three nods in ‘Best Female R&B/Pop Artist’, ‘Best New Artist’, and ‘Best International Act’.
Global star Tems continues to blaze trails, securing two nominations in the ‘BET Her’ category for her soulful and empowering songs “Burning” and “Hold On”, both lifted from her widely celebrated debut studio album “Born In The Wild”. These nods further establish her as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary music today.African artists dominate the ‘Best New International Act’ category. Breakout stars Maglera Doe Boy, Dlala Thukzin, TxC, Abigail Chams, Shallipopi, and Odeal all earn well-deserved recognition.
Beyond music, the awards also honor achievements in film, television, and sports. Multi-talented actress and vocalist, Cynthia Erivo picks up two nominations—‘Best Actress’, and ‘BET Her’ for her duet “Defying Gravity” with pop superstar Ariana Grande.
Speaking on the awards nomination, Monde Twala, Senior Vice President & Co-General Manager, Paramount Africa & Lead, BET International, said, “At BET, we are proud to continue elevating and celebrating Black excellence on a global scale. The 2025 nominations reflect the incredible creativity, influence, and impact of African artists who are shaping culture and pushing boundaries. From Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Tems, Tyla, Odeal, Shallipopi, Maglera Doe Boy, Black Sherif, Uncle Waffles —these talents represent the diversity and heartbeat of a new generation, and the global resonance of our sounds. I’d also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the nominees from Brazil, the UK and France. BET remains committed to showcasing the voices and visions of African creatives on the world stage”
Kendrick Lamar leads the nominations with ten, Doechii, Drake, Future and GloRilla tying with six nominations, Metro Boomin earning five nominations, and SZA and The Weeknd tying with four nominations each.
This year’s “BET Awards” 2025 nominees reflect multifaceted creative expression and Black excellence across music, television, film, and sports. Nominations were selected by the BET Voting Academy, which is comprised of an esteemed group of entertainment professionals and influencers in the fields of music, media, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations, and creative arts.
Kendrick Lamar holds the top spot with ten “BET Awards” 2025 nominations. Lamar’s nominations include ‘Album of the Year’ for GNX, ‘Video of the Year’ for “Not Like Us,” three ‘Viewer’s Choice Award’ nods for “Not Like Us,” “Luther,” featuring SZA, and “Like That” with Future & Metro Boomin, three ‘Best Collaboration’ nods for “Like That,” “30 for 30,” and “Luther,” featuring SZA, ‘Video Director of the Year’ with Dave Free, and ‘Best Male Hip Hop Artist.’
Doechii’s six nominations include ‘Album of the Year’ for Alligator Bites Never Heal, ‘Video of the Year’ and ‘Viewer’s Choice Award’ for “Denial is a River,” ‘BET Her’ for “Bloom,” ‘Best Collaboration’ for “Alter Ego” featuring JT, and ‘Best Female Hip Hop Artist.’
Drake’s six nominations include ‘Album of the Year’ for $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, ‘Video of the Year’ for “Family Matters,” ‘Viewer’s Choice Award’ for “Nokia,” ‘Best Group’ with “Drake & PartyNextDoor,” ‘Best Male R&B/Pop Artist’ and ‘Best Male Hip Hop Artist.’
Future’s six nominations include ‘Album of the Year’ for We Don’t Trust You with Metro Boomin, ‘Video of the Year’ for “Type Shit” with Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Playboi Carti, ‘Best Collaboration’ and ‘Viewer’s Choice Award’ for “Like That” with Metro Boomin featuring Kendrick Lamar, ‘Best Group’ with “Future & Metro Boomin,” and Best Male Hip Hop Artist.
GloRilla six nominations include ‘Album of the Year’ for Glorious, ‘Viewer’s Choice Award’ for “TGIF”, ‘Best Collaboration’ for “Sticky” with Tyler, The Creator, Sexyy Red and Lil Wayne, the ‘Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award’ for “Rain Down On Me,” ‘Best Female Hip Hop Artist’, and ‘BET Her’ for “In My Bag” with FLO.
SZA and The Weeknd tie with four nominations each, while Arya Starr, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Maverick City Music, Playboi Carti, Teddy Swims, and Tyler, The Creator each earn three nominations.
Voting for “BET Awards” 2025 Viewer’s Choice Award will open soon.
BET.com/bet-awards is the official site for “BET Awards” 2025 and will have all the latest news and updates about this year’s show. Follow us @BET and @BETAWARDS.
Connie Orlando, EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy, will oversee and Executive Produce the annual show, with Jamal Noisette, SVP, Tentpoles & Music Community Engagement for BET. Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company for the show, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serving as Executive Producers.
The 25th Anniversary of “BET Awards” – Culture’s Biggest Night – will air LIVE on BET from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Tuesday, 10 June, 2025, at 02:00am CAT on BET Africa, DStv Channel 129. This milestone event will honor 25 years of cultural excellence, spotlighting the most influential names in music, film, television, and sports.
To register for the free, 2-day BETX Fan Fest, visit BETExperience.com . “BET Experience” 2025 is co-produced by Live Nation Urban.
To apply for media credentials to cover the “BET Awards” 2025 red carpet, press room, BET Experience 2025 fanfest, concerts, and more, visit “BET Awards” 2025 Media Application.
The Complete List Of Nominees for “BET Awards” 2025 Are:
Album 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 BOOMIN
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist ARI LENNOXAYRA STARRCOCO JONESKEHLANIMUNI LONGSUMMER WALKERSZAVICTORIA MONÉT
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist BRUNO MARSCHRIS BROWNDRAKEFRIDAYYLEON THOMASTEDDY SWIMSTHE WEEKNDUSHER
Best Group 41COMMON & PETE ROCKDRAKE & PARTYNEXTDOORFLOFUTURE & METRO BOOMINJACQUEES & DEJ LOAFLARRY JUNE, 2 CHAINZ, THE ALCHEMISTMAVERICK CITY MUSIC
Best Collaboration 30 FOR 30 SZA FEAT. KENDRICK LAMARALTER EGO DOECHII FEAT. JTARE YOU EVEN REAL TEDDY SWIMS FEAT. GIVĒONBECKHAM DEE BILLZ FEAT. KYLE RICHH, KAI SWERVO, KJ SWERVOBLESS LIL WAYNE, WHEEZY & YOUNG THUGLIKE THAT FUTURE & METRO BOOMIN & KENDRICK LAMARLUTHER KENDRICK LAMAR & SZASTICKY TYLER, THE CREATOR FEAT. GLORILLA, SEXYY RED &LIL WAYNETIMELESS THE WEEKND FEAT. PLAYBOI CARTI
Best Female Hip Hop Artist CARDI BDOECHIIDOJA CATGLORILLALATTOMEGAN THEE STALLIONNICKI MINAJRAPSODYSEXYY RED
Best Male Hip Hop Artist BIGXTHAPLUGBOSSMAN DLOWBURNA BOYDRAKEFUTUREKENDRICK LAMARKEY GLOCKLIL WAYNETYLER, THE CREATOR
Video of the Year 3AM IN TOKEYO KEY GLOCKA BAR SONG (TIPSY) SHABOOZEYAFTER HOURS KEHLANIDENIAL IS A RIVER DOECHIIFAMILY MATTERS DRAKENOT LIKE US KENDRICK LAMARTIMELESS THE WEEKND FEAT. PLAYBOI CARTITYPE SHIT FUTURE, METRO BOOMIN, TRAVIS SCOTT & PLAYBOICARTI
Video Director of the Year ANDERSON .PAAKB PACE PRODUCTIONS & JACQUEESBENNY BOOMCACTUS JACKCOLE BENNETTDAVE FREE & KENDRICK LAMARDAVE MEYERSFOGGIERAWTYLER, THE CREATOR
Best New Artist 41AYRA STARRBIGXTHAPLUGBOSSMAN DLOWDEE BILLZLEON THOMASOCTOBER LONDONSHABOOZEYTEDDY SWIMS
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award A GOD (THERE IS) COMMON & PETE ROCK FEAT. JENNIFER HUDSONAMEN PASTOR MIKE JR.BETTER DAYS FRIDAYYCHURCH DOORS YOLANDA ADAMS FEAT. SIR THE BAPTIST & DONALDLAWRENCE (TERRY HUNTER REMIX)CONSTANT MAVERICK CITY MUSIC, JORDIN SPARKS, CHANDLERMOORE & ANTHONY GARGIULADESERVE TO WIN TAMELA MANNFAITH RAPSODYRAIN DOWN ON ME GLORILLA FEAT. KIRK FRANKLIN, MAVERICK CITY MUSIC
Viewer’s Choice Award RESIDUALS CHRIS BROWNDENIAL IS A RIVER DOECHIINOKIA DRAKELIKE THAT FUTURE & METRO BOOMIN FEAT. KENDRICK LAMARTGIF GLORILLANOT LIKE US KENDRICK LAMARLUTHER KENDRICK LAMAR & SZABROKEY LATTO
Best International Act ANY GABRIELLY (BRAZIL)AYRA STARR (NIGERIA)BASHY (UNITED KINGDOM)BLACK SHERIF (GHANA)EZRA COLLECTIVE (UNITED KINGDOM)JOÉ DWÈT FILÉ (FRANCE)MC LUANNA (BRAZIL)REMA (NIGERIA)SDM (FRANCE)TYLA (SOUTH AFRICA)UNCLE WAFFLES (SWAZILAND)
Best New International Act ABIGAIL CHAMS (TANZANIA)AJULIACOSTA (BRAZIL)AMABBI (BRAZIL)DLALA THUKZIN (SOUTH AFRICA)DR YARO (FRANCE)KWN (UNITED KINGDOM)MAGLERA DOE BOY (SOUTH AFRICA)MERVEILLE (FRANCE)ODEAL (UNITED KINGDOM)SHALLIPOPI (NIGERIA)TxC (SOUTH AFRICA)
BET Her BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE MARY J. BLIGEBLACKBIIRD BEYONCÉ FEAT. TANNER ADELL, BRITTNEYSPENCER, TIERA KENNEDY & REYNA ROBERTSBLOOM DOECHIIBURNING TEMSDEFYING GRAVITY CYNTHIA ERIVO FEAT. ARIANA GRANDEHEART OF A WOMAN SUMMER WALKERHOLD ON TEMSIN MY BAG FLO & GLORILLA
Best Movie BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIEBEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL FLUTHER: NEVER TOO MUCHMUFASA: THE LION KINGONE OF THEM DAYSREBEL RIDGETHE PIANO LESSONTHE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT
Best Actor AARON PIERREALDIS HODGEANTHONY MACKIECOLMAN DOMINGODENZEL WASHINGTONJAMIE FOXXJOEY BADA$$KEVIN HARTSTERLING K. BROWNWILL SMITH
Best Actress ANDRA DAYANGELA BASSETTCOCO JONESCYNTHIA ERIVOKEKE PALMERKERRY WASHINGTONQUINTA BRUNSONVIOLA DAVISZENDAYA
YoungStars Award AKIRA AKBARBLUE IVY CARTERGRACEYN “GRACIE” HOLLINGSWORTHHEIRESS HARRISMELODY HURDTHADDEUS J. MIXSONTYRIK JOHNSONVANVAN
Sportswoman of the Year Award A’JA WILSONANGEL REESECLARESSA SHIELDSCOCO GAUFFDAWN STALEYFLAU’JAE JOHNSONJUJU WATKINSSHA’CARRI RICHARDSONSIMONE BILES
Sportsman of the Year Award AARON JUDGEANTHONY EDWARDSDEION SANDERSJALEN HURTSJAYSON TATUMLEBRON JAMESSAQUON BARKLEYSTEPHEN CURRY
