SA's Tyla, Maglera Doe Boy and Dlala Thukzin strike a chord with 2025 BET nods
South Africa's Tyla, Maglera Doe Boy, and Dlala Thukzin earned nods in the Best International Act and Best New International Act categories at the upcoming BET Awards.
'Culture's biggest night' will take place on 10 June, streaming live from Los Angeles on BET Africa.
International stars like Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and Drake lead with multiple nominations.
South African superstars Tyla, Maglera Doe Boy, and Dlala Thukzin proudly flew the South African flag high after receiving nominations in the Best International Act and Best New International Act categories at the upcoming 2025 BET Awards.
Dubbed 'culture's biggest night', the awards are slated for Tuesday, 10 June, at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. They will also air live on BET Africa (DStv 129) at 02:00.
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Other local talents who received nominations were South Africa's TxC, also in the Best New International Act category, Nigeria's Shallipopi, and Tanzania's Abigail Chams. Nigeria's Ayra Starr and Rema received nominations in the Best International Act category, along with Ghana's Black Sherif and Eswatini's Uncle Waffles.
Internationally acclaimed Burna Boy was added to those flying the Nigerian flag high with a nomination in the Best Male Hip-Hop Artist category.
'At BET, we are proud to continue elevating and celebrating black excellence on a global scale. The 2025 nominations reflect the incredible creativity, influence and impact of African artists who are shaping culture and pushing boundaries,' Monde Twala, senior vice president and co-general manager of Paramount Africa and Lead, said.
'From Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Tems, Tyla, Odeal, Shallipopi, Maglera Doe Boy, Black Sherif, Uncle Waffles – these talents represent the diversity and heartbeat of a new generation and the global resonance of our sounds. I'd also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the nominees from Brazil, the UK and France. BET remains committed to showcasing the voices and visions of African creatives on the world stage.'
Internationally, rapper Kendrick Lamar led the 2025 BET Award nominations with a whopping 10 nods in categories including Album of the Year, Video of the Year and Viewer's Choice Award.
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Fellow rappers Drake, Future, GloRilla and Doechii received six nominations, with Metro Boomin earning five nominations and SZA and The Weeknd tying at four nominations.
See the full list of nominees here:
Album of the year:
$OME $EXY $ONGS 4 U - Drake & Partynextdoor
11:11 DELUXE - Chris Brown
ALLIGATOR BITES NEVER HEAL - Doechii
COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
GLORIOUS - GloRilla
GNX - Kendrick Lamar
HURRY UP TOMORROW - The Weeknd
WE DON'T TRUST YOU - Future & Metro Boomin
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist:
Ari Lennox
Ayra Starr
Coco Jones
Kehlani
Muni Long
Summer Walker
SZA
Victoria Monét
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist:
Bruno Mars
Chris Brown
Drake
Fridayy
Leon Thomas
Teddy Swims
The Weeknd
Usher
Best Group:
41
Common & Pete Rock
Drake & Partynextdoor
Flo
Future & Metro Boomin
Jacques & Dej Loaf
Larry June, 2Chainz, The Alchemist
Maverick City Music
Best Collaboration:
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
Luther - Kendrick Lamar & SZA
Sticky - Tyler, The Creator feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne
Timeless - The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist:
Cardi B
Doechii
Doja Cat
GloRilla
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Rapsody
Sexyy Red
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist:
Bigxthaplug
Bossman Dlow
Burna Boy
Drake
Future
Kendrick Lamar
Key Glock
Lil Wayne
Tyler, The Creator
Video of the Year:
3am in Tokeyo - Key Glock
A Bar Song (tipsy) - Shaboozey
After Hours - Kehlani
Denial Is A River - Doechii
Family Matters - Drake
Not Like Us - Kendrick Lamar
Timeless - The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti
Type Shit - Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Playboy Carti
Video Director of the Year:
Anderson Paak
B Pace Productions & Jacquees
Benny Boom
Cactus Jack
Cole Bennett
Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
Dave Meyers
Foggieraw
Tyler, The Creator
Best New Artist:
41
Ayra Starr
Bigxthaplug
Bossman Dlow
Dee Billz
Leon Thomas
October London
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims
Dr Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award:
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
Rain Down On Me - GloRilla feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music
Viewer's Choice Award:
Residuals - Chris Brown
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
Best International Act:
Any Gabrielly (Brazil)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Bashy (United Kingdom)
Black Sherif (Ghana)
Ezra Collective (United Kingdom)
Joé Dwèt filé (france)
Mc Luanna (Brazil)
Rema (Nigeria)
SDM (France)
Tyla (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)
Best New International Act:
Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
Ajuliacosta (Brazil)
Amabbi (Brazil)
Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
Dr Yaro (France)
KWN (United Kingdom)
Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa)
Merveille (France)
Odeal (United Kingdom)
Shallipopi (Nigeria)
Txc (South Africa)
BET Her:
Beautiful People - Mary J. Blige
Blackbiird - Beyoncé feat. Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy & Reyna Roberts
Bloom - Doechii
Burning - Tems
Defying Gravity - Cynthia Erivo feat. Ariana Grande
Heart of a Woman - Summer Walker
Hold On - Tems
In My Bag - Flo & GloRilla
Best Movie:
Bad Boys: Ride or Die
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
Luther: Never Too Much
Mufasa: The Lion King
One Of Them Days
Rebel Ridge
The Piano Lesson
The Six Triple Eight
Best Actor:
Aaron Pierre
Aldis Hodge
Anthony Mackie
Colman Domingo
Denzel Washington
Jamie Foxx
Joey Bada$$
Kevin Hart
Sterling K. Brown
Will Smith
Best Actress:
Andra Day
Angela Bassett
Coco Jones
Cynthia Erivo
Keke Palmer
Kerry Washington
Quinta Brunson
Viola Davis
Zendaya
Youngsters Award:
Akira Akbar
Blue Ivy Carter
Graceyn 'Gracie' Hollingsworth
Heiress Harris
Melody Hurd
Thaddeus J. Mixson
Tyrik Johnson
Vanvan
Sportswoman of the Year:
A'ja Wilson
Angel Reese
Claressa Shields
Coco Gauff
Dawn Staley
Flau'jae Johnson
Juju Watkins
Sha'carri Richardson
Simone Biles
Sportsman of the Year:
Aaron Judge
Anthon Edwards
Deion Sanders
Jalen Hurts
Jayson Tatum
Lebron James
Saquon Barkley
Stephen Curry
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