Nigerian music sensation Ayra Starr made history on Monday night at the 2025 BET Awards, taking home the coveted Best International Act award and cementing her status as a rising global powerhouse. The win marks a major milestone — her first-ever BET Award and a defining moment in her fast-rising career.
Ayra Starr edged out a fiercely competitive lineup that included fellow Nigerian heavyweight Rema, South African pop breakout Tyla, Swaziland’s viral DJ Uncle Waffles, and Ghana’s chart-topping rapper Black Sherif. Other nominees included Any Gabrielly (Brazil), Basky (UK), Ezra Collective (UK), Joé Dwèt Filé (France), MC Luanna (Brazil), and SDM (France).
This marks Ayra Starr’s first-ever BET Award win, a milestone moment in her rapidly ascending career. Known for her Afro-pop hits and distinctive vocal style, the Mavin Records artist has become a defining voice of a new generation of African music.
While Ayra Starr celebrated a breakthrough victory, the night also belonged to Kendrick Lamar, who entered the event with a leading 10 nominations and walked away with five wins, including Album of the Year for GNX. He also bagged trophies for Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Best Collaboration (for “Luther” with SZA), Video of the Year (“Not Like Us”), and Video Director of the Year alongside longtime collaborator Dave Free.
Full List of winners;
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 Act
Abigail 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
Sportsman of the Year
Aaron JudgeAnthony EdwardsDeion SandersWINNER: Jalen HurtsJayson TatumLeBron JamesSaquon BarkleyStephen Curry
