Nigerian sensation Ayra Starr scored a breakthrough victory at the 2025 BET Awards, clinching the prestigious Best International Act trophy on June 9 at Los Angeles’ Peacock Arena. After previous nominations, the 22-year-old star finally triumphed over fierce competition, including fellow African heavyweights Rema and Tyla, solidifying her status on the global stage.
While Ayra Starr’s win was a highlight, American rapper Kendrick Lamar stole the spotlight by sweeping five major categories out of his ten nominations, including Album of the Year for GNX and Best Male Hip Hop Artist. His collaboration with SZA on “Luther” earned Best Collaboration, while their joint visual earned Video of the Year and Video Director of the Year honors, cementing Lamar’s dominance this awards season.
Despite strong nominations, Nigerian powerhouse Tems missed out on the Best Female R&B/Pop Artist award, which went to Summer Walker. Similarly, Ayra Starr fell short in two other categories—Best New Artist and Best Female R&B/Pop Artist—both won by Leon Thomas and SZA, respectively, underscoring the fierce competition across the board.
The night also celebrated rising stars and established talents alike. Leon Thomas emerged as Best New Artist, while Chris Brown took home Best Male R&B/Pop Artist and Viewer’s Choice for “Residuals.” The gospel and inspirational genre saw GloRilla featuring Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music win with “Rain Down on Me,” showcasing the diverse musical talent honored.
International acts were well represented, with South Africa’s TXC winning Best New International Act. The cinematic world also received nods, with Luther: Never Too Much named Best Movie, Denzel Washington honored as Best Actor, and Cynthia Erivo as Best Actress, highlighting the event’s broad cultural reach.
Sports achievements were recognized, with Jalen Hurts named Sportsman of the Year and Angel Reese earning Sportswoman of the Year. Blue Ivy Carter was celebrated as the Young Stars Award recipient, illustrating BET’s commitment to recognizing talent across fields and generations.
This year’s BET Awards blended global influence with star power, reinforcing its role as a key platform celebrating Black excellence in music, film, and sports. Ayra Starr’s win signals rising African influence on the global music scene, while Kendrick Lamar’s multiple awards reaffirm his status as a hip-hop titan.
