Afrobeats powerhouses Burna Boy and Asake have once again stamped their presence on the global stage with two nominations each at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, securing their positions as the most-nominated African artists at this year’s ceremony. This recognition reflects Afrobeats’ growing dominance in the global music arena, with the genre now enjoying its own dedicated category.
Burna Boy earned nods in the “Best Afrobeats” category for TaTaTa featuring Travis Scott and in “Video for Good” for his powerful visual for Higher. Asake, fresh off a stellar year, received dual nominations in the “Best Afrobeats” category for Active (also featuring Travis Scott) and Get It Right with Tems — marking a rare double placement within a single category.
Other African stars also made the cut. Rema, Moliy, Wizkid, Tyla, and Tems each bagged one nomination in the “Best Afrobeats” category, while Ayra Starr stood out in the “MTV PUSH Performance of the Year” for Last Heartbreak Song, a testament to her rapid global ascent.
Leading the overall pack, American pop titan Lady Gaga scored 12 nominations including Artist of the Year, Video of the Year, and Song of the Year — making her the most nominated artist of the season. Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, Rosé, Ariana Grande, and Billie Eilish also dominated multiple top-tier categories.
This year’s VMAs will take place on Saturday, September 7, 2025, at the UBS Arena in New York, promising another night of electrifying performances, iconic moments, and celebration of visual music artistry. Fans across Africa will be particularly eager to see if the continent brings home multiple golden Moon Persons this time.
As global music fans await the ceremony, the complete list of nominees spans over 20 categories, from Best Hip-Hop to Best K-Pop, and includes genre giants like Taylor Swift, Drake, Bad Bunny, Coldplay, Shakira, and BTS’ Jimin. Notably, Travis Scott appears multiple times across collaborations with both Afrobeats and hip-hop acts.
The recognition of so many African artists — both new and legendary — continues a powerful trend of cultural crossover and industry respect. As the VMAs draw near, all eyes will be on Burna Boy, Asake, and their peers to see if Afrobeats can clinch more global hardware in a year filled with sonic brilliance.
