Ayra Starr Surpasses Burna Boy, Tems with 3 BET Award Nominations

Nigerian music sensation Ayra Starr has taken the spotlight in the just-released BET Awards 2025 nominations, scoring an impressive three nods—more than any other African nominee, including heavyweights Burna Boy and Tems.

Ayra Starr, known for her fierce vocals and confident style, was nominated in the Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Best New Artist, and Best International Act categories. Her growing global popularity and back-to-back hits have made her one of Africa’s biggest breakout stars this year.

She leads a strong pack of African talent recognized for their cultural impact and creative excellence. Burna Boy, Tems, Rema, Tyla, Black Sherif, Uncle Waffles, Shallipopi, and others were also named in various categories.

Tems, who has become a household name in soul and R&B, earned two nominations in the BET Her category for her emotional tracks “Burning” and “Hold On”—both from her acclaimed debut album Born In The Wild.

These nominations further cement her status as one of the most influential voices in modern African music.

In the Best New International Act category, Africa continues to dominate. Rising stars Shallipopi, Odeal, Maglera Doe Boy, Dlala Thukzin, and Abigail Chams are all celebrated for their unique sounds and bold artistry.

BET’s Senior Vice President, Monde Twala, praised the nominees, saying, “The 2025 nominations reflect the incredible creativity, influence, and impact of African artists who are shaping culture and pushing boundaries.”

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

The BET Awards continue to celebrate Black excellence across music, film, TV, and sports, with nominees chosen by the BET Voting Academy, made up of top industry professionals.

Fans worldwide now eagerly await the winners—and all eyes are on Ayra Starr to make history.