Ayra Starr Gets Three Major Nominations at The BET Awards
Ayra Starr continues her meteoric rise in the global music scene. The Nigerian pop sensation recently got three major nominations at the 2025 BET Awards. The 21-year-old star is up for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Best New Artist, and Best International Act. Thus, she gets all three essential nominations that signal her arrival as a true force in contemporary music.
Thus, Starr has spent the past year raising attention towards her star. Her viral hit “Rush” dominated airwaves and streaming charts. Meanwhile, her electric performances from Lagos to London earned widespread acclaim. These BET nominations follow her standout showing at the 2024 Headies Awards, where she took home Best Female Artist. Thus, her place in the African music scene is ever more present among the brightest young stars.
Joining Ayra Starr internationally are fellow Afrobeats giants Burna Boy and Rema. Both of them got recognized once again in the Best International Act category. Burna Boy—already a four-time winner in the slot—continues to demonstrate his staying power as a global icon. Also, Rema’s genre-blurring sound keeps him at the forefront of the scene.
Ayra Starr Among Other BET Award Nominees
Additionally, Tems earned two nominations in the BET awards, her category for the soul-stirring tracks “Burning” and “Hold On.” The two tracks were on her highly anticipated debut album “Born In The Wild.” Her music, full of emotional depth and lyrical finesse, resonates far beyond the continent.
Also, street-hop breakout Shallipopi received his first nod as Best New International Act. Thus, Shallipopi represents the gritty, genre-pushing wave currently shaping Nigeria’s underground into a global export.
Africa’s presence at this year’s BET Awards doesn’t end there. South Africa’s Tyla and Uncle Waffles, and Ghana’s Black Sherif. Among them is Abigail Chams, who also earned nominations, further showcasing the continent’s dynamic musical landscape.
On the U.S. front, Kendrick Lamar leads the pack with ten nominations, including Album of the Year for Alright ” and Video of the Year for “Not Like Us,” affirming his place as a defining voice of his generation.
As the BET Awards continue to spotlight Black excellence across borders, Ayra Starr’s triple nomination marks a pivotal moment—not just for her career, but for the continued global ascent of Afrobeats. The world is listening. Starr is just getting started.
