Ayra Starr just made BET Awards history!
The Nigerian music queen picked up the Best International Act at the 2025 BET Awards in LA, becoming the first Nigerian woman to ever win the award. Held at the Peacock Theatre and hosted by Kevin Hart, the night had all the glitz and glam, but Ayra’s win had heart.
She was up against some serious international competition, big names from South Africa, the UK, Brazil, France, and even her fellow Afrobeats star Rema, but she came out on top. And even though she was nominated for two more awards (Best Female R&B/Pop Artist and Best New Artist), this moment was more than enough to make her night.
Ayra’s win puts her in the same circle as some of Nigeria’s most legendary stars: Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido.
Meanwhile, Kendrick Lamar dominated the rest of the show, taking home four awards, including Album of the Year for “GNX.”
See the full list of winners below
Album of the Year
$ome $exy $ongs 4 U — Drake & Partynextdoor11:11 Deluxe — Chris BrownAlligator Bites Never Heal — DoechiiCowboy Carter — BeyoncéGlorious — GloRillaWINNER: GNX — Kendrick LamarHurry Up Tomorrow — The WeekndWe Don’t Trust You — Future & Metro Boomin
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Ari LennoxAyra StarrCoco JonesKehlaniMuni LongSummer WalkerWINNER: SZAVictoria Monét
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Bruno MarsWINNER: Chris BrownDrakeFridayyLeon ThomasTeddy SwimsThe WeekndUsher
Best Group
41Common & Pete RockDrake & PartynextdoorFloWINNER: Future & Metro BoominJacquees & Dej LoafLarry June, 2 Chainz, The AlchemistMaverick 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 SwervoBless — Lil Wayne, Wheezy & Young Thug“Like That” — Future & Metro Boomin & Kendrick LamarWINNER: “Luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA“Sticky” — Tyler, The Creator feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne“Timeless” — The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi BWINNER: DoechiiDoja CatGloRillaLattoMegan Thee StallionNicki MinajRapsodySexyy Red
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
BigXthaPlugBossman DLowBurna BoyDrakeFutureWINNER: Kendrick LamarKey GlockLil WayneTyler, 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” — DrakeWINNER: “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 .PaakB Pace Productions & JacqueesBenny BoomCactus JackCole BennettWINNER: Dave Free & Kendrick LamarDave MeyersFoggierawTyler, The Creator
Best New Artist
41Ayra StarrBigXthaPlugBossMan DlowDee BillzWINNER: Leon ThomasOctober LondonShaboozeyTeddy 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” — RapsodyWINNER: “Rain Down on Me” — GloRilla feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music
Viewer’s Choice Award
WINNER: “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 ActAbigail Chams (Tanzania)Ajulicosta (Brazil)Amabbi (Brazil)Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)Dr Yaro (France)KWN (UK)Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa)Merveille (France)Odeal (UK)Shallipopi (Nigeria)TxC (South Africa)
BET Her
“Beautiful People” — Mary J. Blige“Blackbiird” — Beyonce feat. Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy & Reyna Roberts“Bloom” — Doechii“Burning” — Tems“Defying Gravity” — Cynthia Erivo feat. Ariana GrandeWINNER: “Heart of a Woman” — Summer Walker“Hold On” — Tems“In My Bag” — Flo & GloRilla
Best Movie
Bad Boys: Ride or DieBeverly Hills Cop: Axel FWINNER: Luther: Never Too MuchMufasa: The Lion KingOne of Them DaysRebel RidgeThe Piano LessonThe Six Triple Eight
Best Actor
Aaron PierceAldis HodgeAnthony MackieColman DomingoWINNER: Denzel WashingtonJamie FoxxJoey Bada$$Kevin HartSterling K. BrownWill Smith
Best Actress
Andra DayAngela BassettCoco JonesWINNER: Cynthia ErivoKeke PalmerKerry WashingtonQuinta BrunsonViola DavisZendaya
Young Stars Award
Akira AkbarWINNER: Blue Ivy CarterGraceyn “Gracie” HollingsworthHeiress HarrisMelody HurdThaddeus J. MixsonTyrik JohnsonVanVan
Sportswoman of the Year Award
A’ja WilsonWINNER: Angel ReeseClaressa ShieldsCoco GauffDawn StaleyFlau’jae JohnsonJuju WatkinsSha’Carri RichardsonSimone Biles
Aaron JudgeAnthony EdwardsDeion SandersWINNER: Jalen HurtsJayson TatumLeBron JamesSaquon BarkleyStephen Curry
