Nigerian music sensation Ayra Starr added another major accolade to her growing list of achievements after clinching the Best International Act award at the 2025 BET Awards.
The celebrated singer triumphed in a competitive category featuring top talents like Rema (Nigeria), Tyla (South Africa), Black Sherif (Ghana), and Uncle Waffles (Swaziland).
The prestigious ceremony, which took place on Monday, June 9, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, marked the 25th anniversary of the BET Awards. It was a night dedicated to celebrating Black excellence across music, film, TV, and sports. Hosted by comedian and actor Kevin Hart, this year’s event drew a star-studded guest list including Tyler Perry, Keke Palmer, Jennifer Hudson, and Shaboozey.
Leading the nominations was Kendrick Lamar with 10 nods, and he made a big statement by winning four major categories including Album of the Year, Best Male Hip Hop Artist, and Video of the Year for his viral hit Not Like Us.
Rising rap star Doechii also had a breakthrough night, taking home her first-ever BET Awards for Best Female Hip Hop Artist and Best Collaboration for her track ALTER EGO featuring JT. Fellow nominee GloRilla clinched her first BET trophy too, winning the Viewer’s Choice Award for TGIF.
The 2025 BET Awards evening was packed with electrifying performances from artists including Lil Wayne, Ledisi, Teyana Taylor, Playboi Carti, Mya, Keyshia Cole, and B2K, with a special nostalgic tribute to 106 & Park. Honorees for the Ultimate Icon Award included Snoop Dogg, Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, and Kirk Franklin.
With her latest international win, Ayra Starr continues to solidify her place as one of Afrobeats’ leading voices on the global stage, flying the Nigerian flag high at one of Black entertainment’s biggest nights.
See 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 — GloRillaGNX — Kendrick LamarHurry Up Tomorrow — The WeekndWe Don’t Trust You — Future & Metro Boomin
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Ari LennoxAyra StarrCoco JonesKehlaniMuni LongSummer WalkerSZAVictoria Monét
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Bruno MarsChris BrownDrakeFridayyLeon ThomasTeddy SwimsThe WeekndUsher
Best Group
41Common & Pete RockDrake & PartynextdoorFLOFuture & 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 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
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi BDoechiiDoja CatGloRillaLattoMegan Thee StallionNicki MinajRapsodySexyy Red
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
BigXthaPlugBossman DLowBurna BoyDrakeFutureKendrick 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” — 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 .PaakB Pace Productions & JacqueesBenny BoomCactus JackCole BennettDave Free & Kendrick LamarDave MeyersFoggierawTyler, The Creator
Best New Artist
41Ayra StarrBigXthePlugBossman DLowDee BillzLeon 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” — 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
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 Grande“Heart of a Woman” — Summer Walker“Hold On” — Tems“In My Bag” — FLO & GloRilla
Best Movie
Bad Boys: Ride or DieBeverly Hills Cop: Axel FLuther: Never Too MuchMufasa: The Lion KingOne of Them DaysRebel RidgeThe Piano LessonThe Six Triple Eight
Best Actor
Aaron PierceAldis HodgeAnthony MackieColman DomingoDenzel WashingtonJamie FoxxJoey Bada$$Kevin HartSterling K. BrownWill Smith
Best Actress
Andra DayAngela BassettCoco JonesCynthia ErivoKeke PalmerKerry WashingtonQuinta BrunsonViola DavisZendaya
Young Stars Award
Akira AkbarBlue Ivy CarterGraceyn “Gracie” HollingsworthHeiress HarrisMelody HurdThaddeus J. MixsonTyrik JohnsonVanVan
Sportswoman of the Year Award
A’ja WilsonAngel ReeseClaressa ShieldsCoco GauffDawn StaleyFlau’jae JohnsonJuju WatkinsSha’Carri RichardsonSimone Biles
Sportsman of the Year
Aaron JudgeAnthony EdwardsDeion SandersJalen HurtsJayson TatumLeBron JamesSaquon BarkleyStephen Curry
Get Fresh updates from NotJustOk as they drop via X and Facebook
