Tyla, K.O, Dlala Thukzin, Maglera Doe Boy, AKA, Uncle Waffles bag BET Awards nomination
South African artists are making waves on the global stage once again, as the 2025 BET Awards nominations roll in, with several Mzansi stars proudly flying the flag alongside internationally acclaimed acts.
Tyla, Maglera Doe Boy, TxC, Dlala Thukzin, Uncle Waffles, the late AKA, and K.O. have all earned nods in this year’s highly competitive lineup.
Among the most exciting categories, Tyla, Maglera Doe Boy, TxC, Dlala Thukzin, Uncle Waffles (representing Swaziland), AKA and K.O. are all nominated for Best International Act.
They share this recognition with top global talents like Ayra Starr and Rema from Nigeria, Brazil’s Any Gabrielly and Mc Luanna, Black Sherif from Ghana, UK artists Bashy and Ezra Collective, Joé Dwét Filé and SDM from France.
Adding to the celebration, Dlala Thukzin, Maglera Doe Boy, and TxC have also secured nominations in the Best New International Act category.
They’re joined by rising stars from across the globe including Abigail Chams from Tanzania, Brazil’s Ajuliacosta and Amabbi, France’s Dr Yaro and Merveille, the UK’s KWN and Odeal, and Nigeria’s Shallipopi.
BET International confirmed the nominations with posts on their official Instagram account, highlighting the diverse and dynamic range of talent recognized this year.
The 2025 lineup showcases both seasoned icons and breakthrough artists across numerous genres.
Drake and PartyNextDoor’s “$Some $Sexy $Songs 4 U” competes for Album of the Year alongside projects by Beyoncé, Chris Brown, Kendrick Lamar, and The Weeknd.
On the R&B/Pop front, big names like SZA, Victoria Monét, and Coco Jones are up for Best Female Artist, while the male counterpart category includes Usher, Bruno Mars, and Teddy Swims.
See the full list of nominees below:
Album of the Year
- Drake and PartyNextDoor, $Some $Sexy $Songs 4 U
- Chris Brown, 11:11 Deluxe
- Doechii, Alligator Bites Never Heal
- Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter
- GloRilla, Glorious
- Kendric Lamar, GNX
- The Weeknd, Hurry Up Tomorrow
- Future and Metro Boomin, We Don’t Trust You
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 and Pete Rock
- Drake and PartyNextDoor,
- FLO
- Future and Metro Boomin
- Jaquees and Dej Loaf
- Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist
- Maverick City Music
Best Collaboration
- SZA Featuring Kendrick Lamar, 30 For 30
- Doechii Featuring JT, Alter Ego
- Teddy swims Featuring Giveon, Are You Even Real
- Dee Billz Featuring Kyle Richh, Kai Swervo, KJ Swervo, Beckham
- Lil Wayne, Wheezy and Young Thug, Bless
- Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar, Like That
- Kendrick Lamar and Sza, Luther
- Tyler, The Creator Featuring Glorilla, Sexxy Red and Lil Wayne, Sticky
- The Weeknd Featuring Playboi Carti, Timeless
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
- Cardi B
- Doechii
- Doja Cat
- GloRilla
- Latto
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Nicki Minaj
- Rapsody
- Sexxy 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
- Key Glock, 3AM in ToKEYo
- Shaboozey, A Bar Song (Tipsy)
- Kehlani, After Hours
- Doechii, Denial is a River
- Drake, Family Matters
- Kendrick Lamar, Not Like Us
- The Weeknd Featuring Playboi Carti, Timeless
- Future, Metro Boomin Travis Scott and Playboi Carti, Type S**t
Video Director of the Year
- Anderson .Paak
- B Pace Productions and Jacquees
- Benny Boom
- Cactus Jack
- Cole Bennett
- Dave Free and 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, Inspiration Award
- Common and Pete Rock Featuring Jennifer Hudson, A God (There Is)
- Pastor Mike Jnr, Amen
- Fridayy, Better Days
- Yolanda Adams Featuring Sir The Baptist and Donald Lawrence, Church Doors (Terry Hunter Remix)
- Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore and Anthony Gargiula, Constant
- Tamela Mann, Deserve to Win
- Rapsody, Faith
- GloRilla Featuring Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music, Rain Down on Me
Viewer’s Choice Award
- Chris Brown, Residuals
- Doechii, Denial is a River
- Drake, Nokia
- Future and Metro Boomin Featuring Kendrick Lamar, Like That
- GloRilla, TGIF
- Kendrick Lamar, Not Like Us
- Kendrick Lamar and SZA, Luther
- Latto, Brokey
Best International Act
- Any Gabrielly (Brazil)
- Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
- Bashy (United Kingdom)
- Black Sherif (Ghana)
- Ezra Collective (UK)
- Joé Dwét Filé (France)
- Mc Luanna (Brazil)
- Rema (Nigeria)
- SDM (France)
- Tyla (SA)
- Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)
Best New International Act
- Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
- Ajuliacosta (Brazil)
- Amabbi (Brazil)
- Dlala Thukzin (SA)
- Dr Yaro (France)
- KWN (UK)
- Maglera Doe Boy (SA)
- Merveille (France)
- Odeal (UK)
- Shallipopi (Nigeria)
- TxC (SA)
BET Her
- Mary J Blige, Beautiful People
- Beyoncé featuring Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts, Blackbird
- Doechii, Bloom
- Tems, Burning
- Cynthia Erivo Featuring Ariana Grande, Defying Grafity
- Summer Walker, Heart of A Woman
- Tems, Hold On
- FLO and GloRilla, In My Bag
Best Movie
- Bad Boys: Ride or Die
- Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
- Luther: Never Too Much
- Mufasa: The Lion King
