The nomination for the 2025 BET Awards have been released. The organisers released the list on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
A quintet of Nigerian Afrobeats stars, Burna Boy, Tems, Rema, Ayra Starr, and Shallipopi, were among the nominees.
Ayra Starr led the contingent with three nominations, including Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Best New Artist, and Best International Act.
ALSO READ: “Afrobeats is in trouble”- Music journalist, Joey Akan says
Tems bagged two nominations in the BET Her category for her empowering tracks Burning and Hold On.
Rema, Shallipopi, and Burna Boy earned one nomination each. Burna Boy was nominated for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist, Rema for Best International Act, and Shallipopi for Best New International Act.
American rapper Kendrick Lamar leads the nominations for the 2025 BET Awards with 10 nods, followed closely by Drake, Future, Doechii, and GloRilla with six nominations each.
The winners will be revealed during the live ceremony on June 9 at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, broadcast on BET.
Below is the full list of nominees:
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
Album of the Year
$Ome $Exy $Ongs 4 U – Drake & PartyNextDoor
11:11 Deluxe – Chris Brown
Alligator Bites Never Heal – Doechii
Cowboy Carter – Beyoncé
Glorious – GloRilla
GNX – Kendrick Lamar
Hurry Up Tomorrow – The Weeknd
We Don’t Trust You – Future & Metro Boomin
MORE NOMINATIONS BELOW:
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Bruno Mars
Chris Brown
Drake
Fridayy
Leon Thomas
Teddy Swims
The Weeknd
Usher
Best Group
41
Common & Pete Rock
Drake & PartyNextDoor
FLO
Future & Metro Boomin
Jacquees & Dej Loaf
Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist
Maverick City Music
Best Collaboration
‘30 For 30’ – SZA ft. Kendrick Lamar
‘Alter Ego’ – Doechii ft. JT
‘Are You Even Real’ – Teddy Swims ft. Givēon
‘Beckham’ – Dee Billz feat. Kyle Richh, Kai Swervo, Kj Swervo
‘Bless’ – Lil Wayne, Wheezy & Young Thug
‘Like That’ – Future & Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar
‘Luther’ – Kendrick Lamar & SZA
‘Sticky’ – Tyler, the Creator ft. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne
‘Timeless’ – The Weeknd ft. Playboi Carti
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi B
Doechii
Doja Cat
GloRilla
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Rapsody
Sexyy Red
Video of the Year
‘3AM in ToKEYo’ – Key Glock
‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’ – Shaboozey
‘After Hours’ – Kehlani
‘Denial Is A River’ – Doechii
‘Family Matters’ – Drake
‘Not Like Us’ – Kendrick Lamar
‘Timeless’ – The Weeknd ft. Playboi Carti
‘Type Shit’ – Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Playboi Carti
Video Director of the Year
Anderson .Paak
B Pace Productions & Jacquees
Benny Boom
Cactus Jack
Cole Bennett
Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
Dave Meyers
Foggieraw
Tyler, the Creator
Best New Artist
41
Ayra Starr
BigXthaPlug
Bossman Dlow
Dee Billz
Leon Thomas
October London
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
‘A God (There Is)’ – Common & Pete Rock ft. Jennifer Hudson
‘Amen’ – Pastor Mike Jr.
‘Better Days’ – Fridayy
‘Church Doors (Terry Hunter Remix)’ – Yolanda Adams feat. Sir The Baptist & Donald Lawrence
‘Constant’ – Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore & Anthony Gargiula
‘Deserve To Win’ – Tamela Mann
‘Faith’ – Rapsody
‘Rain Down on Me’ – GloRilla ft. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music
Viewer’s Choice Award
‘Residuals’ – Chris Brown
‘Denial Is A River’ – Doechii
‘Nokia’ – Drake
‘Like That’ – Future & Metro Boomin ft. Kendrick Lamar
‘TGIF’ – GloRilla
‘Not Like Us’ – Kendrick Lamar
‘Luther’ – Kendrick Lamar & SZA
‘Brokey’ – Latto
BET Her
‘Beautiful People’ – Mary J. Blige
‘Blackbiird’ – Beyoncé ft. Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy & Reyna Roberts
‘Bloom’ – Doechii
‘Burning’ – Tems
‘Defying Gravity’ – Cynthia Erivo feat. Ariana Grande
‘Heart of a Woman’ – Summer Walker
‘Hold On’ – Tems
‘In My Bag’ – FLO & GloRilla
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
Best Actor
Aaron Pierre
Aldis Hodge
Anthony Mackie
Colman Domingo
Denzel Washington
Jamie Foxx
Joey Bada$$
Kevin Hart
Sterling K. Brown
Will Smith
Best Actress
Andra Day
Angela Bassett
Coco Jones
Cynthia Erivo
Keke Palmer
Kerry Washington
Quinta Brunson
Viola Davis
Zendaya
YoungStars Award
Akira Akbar
Blue Ivy Carter
Graceyn ‘Gracie’ Hollingsworth
Heiress Harris
Melody Hurd
Thaddeus J. Mixson
Tyrik Johnson
Vanvan
Sportswoman of the Year Award
A’ja Wilson
Angel Reese
Claressa Shields
Coco Gauff
Dawn Staley
Flau’jae Johnson
Juju Watkins
Sha’Carri Richardson
Simone Biles
Sportsman of the Year Award
Aaron Judge
Anthony Edwards
Deion Sanders
Jalen Hurts
Jayson Tatum
LeBron James
Saquon Barkley
Stephen Curry
