The 2025 BET Awards ceremony will be held at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on 9th June. The BET Awards are an annual American awards show established in 2001 by Black Entertainment Television (BET) to recognize and celebrate the achievements of African Americans and other minorities in music, film, sports, and other entertainment fields.
The awards are broadcast live on BET and features performances by artists, with many of the more popular awards presented in a televised ceremony.
The BET Awards, is a celebration of African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other entertainment fields, began in 2001. The first annual BET Awards took place on June 19, 2001, at the Paris Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In this year’s edition Nigerian artist Ayra Star has made a significant impact by securing nominations in two of the show’s most prestigious categories. She joins the ranks of SZA, Summer Walker, and Victoria Monét in the Best Female R&B/Pop Artist category, a highly competitive field dominated by US heavyweights.
In the Best International Act category,Nigeria’s Ayra Starr and Rema, Ghana’s Black Sherif, South Africa’s Tyla and eSwatini’s Uncle Waffles are among the ten nominees.
The Best New International Act category features South Africa’s Maglera Doe Boy, TxC, and Dlala Thukzin, Nigeria’s Shallipopi, and Tanzania’s Abigail Chams are competing with rising stars from Brazil, France, and the UK.
Meanwhile Nigerian Grammy-winner Burna Boy has secured a nomination in the Best Male Hip Hop Artist category, typically dominated by American rappers. He faces the likes of Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, the Creator, and Future, marking a rare moment of direct competition between African and American artists in a core BET Awards category.
R&B/Pop Artist
- Ayra Starr
- Ari Lennox
- Coco Jones
- Kehlani
- Muni Long
- Summer Walker
- SZA
- Victoria Monét
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)
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
- Burna Boy
- BigXthaPlug
- Bossman Dlow
- Drake
- Future
- Kendrick Lamar
- Key Glock
- Lil Wayne
- Tyler, the Creator
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
- Bruno Mars
- Chris Brown
- Drake
- Fridayy
- Leon Thomas
- Teddy Swims
- The Weeknd
- Usher
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
- Cardi B
- Doechii
- Doja Cat
- GloRilla
- Latto
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Nicki Minaj
- Rapsody
- Sexyy Red
Best New Artist
- 41
- Ayra Starr
- BigXthaPlug
- Bossman Dlow
- Dee Billz
- Leon Thomas
- October London
- Shaboozey
- Teddy Swims
Best Movie
- Bad Boys: Ride Or Die
- Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
- Luther: Never Too Much
- Mufasa: The Lion King
- One Of Them Days
- Rebel Ridge
- The Piano Lesson
- The Six Triple Eight