The awards ceremony, which took place on Monday, June  9, 2025, in Los Angeles, brought together some of the most influential voices in global music, spotlighting talent from across Africa, Europe, and South America.

The Sacrifice crooner who was the country's only nominee for this year's edition had earned his second BET nomination after being recognised in the 2023 Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act category.

This year, he was among a competitive list of ten nominees, including fellow African powerhouses like Nigeria’s Rema and South Africa’s Tyla, as well as UK jazz ensemble Ezra Collective and Brazilian singer Any Gabrielly.

While fans of Black Sherif expressed disappointment over the outcome, many also celebrated the visibility he continues to bring to Ghanaian music.

Since his breakout hit “Second Sermon,” Black Sherif has maintained a consistent trajectory, with sold-out shows across Europe and the US, as well as collaborations with global stars like Burna Boy.

His 2023 album The Villain I Never Was also garnered critical acclaim and solidified his status as one of Africa’s most compelling storytellers.

The BET Awards, established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network, continue to play a crucial role in highlighting Black excellence in entertainment and culture. The Best International Act category, in particular, reflects the growing impact of African and diaspora musicians on the global stage.

$ome $exy $ongs 4 U — Drake & Partynextdoor
11:11 Deluxe — Chris Brown
Alligator Bites Never Heal — Doechii
Cowboy Carter — Beyoncé
Glorious — GloRilla

Hurry Up Tomorrow — The Weeknd
We Don’t Trust You — Future & Metro Boomin

Ari Lennox
Ayra Starr
Coco Jones
Kehlani
Muni Long
Summer Walker

Victoria Monét

Bruno Mars

Drake
Fridayy
Leon Thomas
Teddy Swims
The Weeknd
Usher

41
Common & Pete Rock
Drake & Partynextdoor
Flo

Jacquees & Dej Loaf
Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist
Maverick City Music

“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

“Sticky” — Tyler, The Creator feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne
“Timeless” — The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti

Cardi B

Doja Cat
GloRilla
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Rapsody
Sexyy Red

BigXthaPlug
Bossman DLow
Burna Boy
Drake
Future

Key Glock
Lil Wayne
Tyler, The Creator

“3AM in Tokeyo” — Key Glock
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” — Shaboozey
“After Hours” — Kehlani
“Denial Is a River” — Doechii
“Family Matters” — Drake

“Timeless” — The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti
“Type Shit” — Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Playboi Carti

Anderson .Paak
B Pace Productions & Jacquees
Benny Boom
Cactus Jack
Cole Bennett

Dave Meyers
Foggieraw
Tyler, The Creator

41
Ayra Starr
BigXthaPlug
BossMan Dlow
Dee Billz

October London
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims

“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

“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

Any Gabrielly (Brazil)

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)

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)

“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

“Hold On” — Tems
“In My Bag” — Flo & GloRilla

Bad Boys: Ride or Die
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

Mufasa: The Lion King
One of Them Days
Rebel Ridge
The Piano Lesson
The Six Triple Eight

Aaron Pierce
Aldis Hodge
Anthony Mackie
Colman Domingo

Jamie Foxx
Joey Bada$$
Kevin Hart
Sterling K. Brown
Will Smith

Andra Day
Angela Bassett
Coco Jones

Keke Palmer
Kerry Washington
Quinta Brunson
Viola Davis
Zendaya

Akira Akbar

Graceyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth
Heiress Harris
Melody Hurd
Thaddeus J. Mixson
Tyrik Johnson
VanVan

Sportswoman of the Year Award

A’ja Wilson
WINNER: Angel Reese
Claressa Shields
Coco Gauff
Dawn Staley
Flau’jae Johnson
Juju Watkins
Sha’Carri Richardson
Simone Biles

Sportsman of the Year

Aaron Judge
Anthony Edwards
Deion Sanders
WINNER: Jalen Hurts
Jayson Tatum
LeBron James
Saquon Barkley
Stephen Curry