The 2025 BET Awards are shaping up to be a celebration of Nigerian excellence, per usual, with Afrobeats stars leading the charge on the international stage. This year’s nominees list shows a strong presence of the genre’s powerhouses making global waves.

Mavin Records’ golden girl Ayra Starr scored an impressive three nominations, bagging nods for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Best New Artist, and Best International Act. Her recognition further cements her status as a global force in the music scene.

Tems, known for her haunting vocals and soulful lyricism, picked up two nominations in the BET Her category for her empowering tracks ‘Burning’ and ‘Hold On’. 

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The Nigerian wave didn’t stop there. Burna Boy, Rema, and Shallipopi also earned well-deserved nominations.

On the global front, Kendrick Lamar leads all nominees with 10 nods, followed closely by Doechii, Future, GloRilla, and Drake with six nominations each. Metro Boomin, SZA, and The Weeknd also earned multiple nominations.

The winners will be revealed during the live ceremony on June 9 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, broadcast on BET. 

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Here’s the full list of nominees:

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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

READ ALSO: Ice Prince clarifies that he, not Davido is the first African artist to receive BET award on stage

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

Ari Lennox

Ayra Starr

Coco Jones

Kehlani

Muni Long

Summer Walker

SZA

Victoria Monét

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 feat. Kendrick Lamar

Alter Ego
Doechii feat. JT

Are You Even Real
Teddy Swims feat. 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 feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne

Timeless
The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti

EXPLORE: Tems, Asake, Rema, Wizkid nominated for American Music Awards 2025

Best Female Hip Hop Artist

Cardi B

Doechii

Doja Cat

GloRilla

Latto

Megan Thee Stallion

Nicki Minaj

Rapsody

Sexyy Red

Best Male Hip Hop Artist

BigXthaPlug

Bossman DLow

Burna Boy

Drake

Future

Kendrick Lamar

Key Glock

Lil Wayne

Tyler, The Creator

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 feat. 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

BigXthePlug

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 feat. Jennifer Hudson

Amen
Pastor Mike Jr.

Better Days
Fridayy

Church Doors
Yolanda Adams feat. Sir The Baptist & Donald Lawrence (Terry Hunter Remix)

Constant
Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore & Anthony Gargiula

Deserve to Win
Tamela Mann

Faith
Rapsody

Rain Down on Me
GloRilla feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music

Viewer’s Choice Award

Residuals
Chris Brown

Denial Is a River
Doechii

Nokia
Drake

Like That
Future & Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar

TGIF
GloRilla

Not Like Us
Kendrick Lamar

Luther
Kendrick Lamar & SZA

Brokey
Latto

Best International Act

Any Gabrielly (Brazil)

Ayra Starr (Nigeria)

Basky (UK)

Black Sherif (Ghana)

Ezra Collective (UK)

Joé Dwèt Filé (France)

MC Luanna (Brazil)

Rema (Nigeria)

SDM (France)

Tyla (South Africa)

Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)

Best New International Act

BET Her

Reality TV star and influencer Tacha Akide has sparked conversation online after sharing her unfiltered thoughts on the red carpet appearances of Nigerian celebrities at the 2025 Met Gala.

In a social media post that has since gone viral, Tacha expressed her disappointment with the looks served by Tems, Ayra Starr, and Burna Boy, all of whom made history as part of the first wave of Afrobeats stars to grace fashion’s biggest night.

I think someone had to say it. So the Nigerians at the Met Gala did not represent and this is coming from a place of love. You know I love Ayra Starr and Tems, and I’m crazy about Burna Boy but trust me, they didn’t represent at all.

just had to say iT!!! pic.twitter.com/E7bJPTSy4u

— TACHA🔱🇬🇭 🇳🇬 (@Symply_Tacha) May 7, 2025

She broke down the fashion looks of the celebs, starting with Tems, whose outfit she claimed to not understand.

Girl I get that the outfit was Oswald Boteng but it’s very clear that you weren’t their first choice because I’m not even understanding this outfit at all. Haven’t you heard of veekee James or Swanky Jerry? They would have brought the moon down for your outfit with pure creativity. 

Next, she highlighted Ayra Starr’s outfit, stressing that it looked rushed and not completely thought through.

Now to Ayra Starr, you’re our future of Afrobeats our gen Z baddie. You cannot be wearing that to the met gala, it’s giving last minute or you weren’t informed. Do you know what veekee James. The look is giving Mary Amaka, please don’t do it again. If these designers don’t want you as their first choice please come home .

Burna boy you always kill the red carpet, what happened? You never miss but this time you did. You know we love you but next time let come correct.

She concluded by saying, “Let’s not even lie even Priscilla’s wedding served us better looks. One thing Nigerians are known for is music and also fashion sense. I love my people but someone had to say it.”

As would be expected, Tacha’s video sparked reactions and equal outrage, with mant taking the opportunity to educta her about how the Met Gala actually works.

See some reactions below:

You’re only skilled at video editing; beyond that, there’s nothing in your head!

Aunty Tacha….the designers buy tables then invite celebs and dress them to showcase their designs. You for dey ask questions before you whip out camera. 🤦‍♂️

As if veekee James and the other Nigerians you mentioned have $75,000 to purchase a ticket to showcase their works. girl just critique their outfit and go, stop giving advice on what/who they should wear cos you’re clueless on how the METGALA works.

The reason most celebs wear outfits by certain designers is cause these designers pay for their ticket. It’s $75,000 per ticket. Will Vicki James pay that for Ayra Star?

Amid the swirling speculations regarding his relationship with Davido’s cousin Niko, Nigerian skit maker Nasty Blaq has set the record straight that they are just friends.

The renowned skit maker took to X to clarify the situation, stressing that the only person he is romantically involved with is his partner, Esther.

The Loml is Esther. I and Nikos are just very good friends. Bloggers please stop the agenda.

The Loml is Esther. I and Nikos are just very good friends. Bloggers please stop the agenda 🤦🏾‍♂️

— NASTY BLAQ (@NastyBlaq) May 6, 2025

The statement comes after the pair collaborated on a comedy skit, leading to online chatter and subtle speculation suggesting something more than friendship between him and Niko. But Nasty Blaq’s clarification seems to have split social media users, with some applauding his openness while others questioned the need for an explanation in the first place.

Some others told him to focus on the football match that was airing at the time he made the post.

Reactions:

A very silly agenda by the bloggers

Why you dey explain?

Bloggers no talk anything….na u want make dem talk am.We all know she is for Young Jon

You go explain explain tire no evidence 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂

Good as you clear the air.. 

And I know why it’s not even about the bloggers lol

But you suppose de watch ball like this you no hold any body any explanation

A man can never be just friends with a woman he’s attracted to. Even if you’re not attracted to your female bestie, if she opens on a good day you go still knack if you no get dk discipline.