Ayra Starr has been named Best International Act at the 2025 BET Awards, triumphing over a competitive field that included South Africa’s Tyla, Nigeria’s Rema, and Ghana’s Black Sherif.
The 22-year-old singer, whose real name is Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, received the award during Monday night’s ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The annual event celebrates Black excellence in music, film, sports and culture, and this year’s edition was hosted by comedian Kevin Hart, returning to the stage after last hosting in 2011.
“This means the world to me,” Ayra Starr said while receiving the award. “I want every girl from Lagos to London to know that you can dream big and make it real.”
Since her breakout BET nomination in 2022, Ayra Starr has steadily grown into a continental force in Afrobeats. She earned her first nod for Best New International Act, followed by a nomination in 2023 for Best International Act. In 2024, her hit single Commas earned her a BET Her Award nomination. This year, she was nominated in three categories — ultimately taking home the most coveted international honour.
Her win highlights the growing global influence of Nigerian music, coming at a time when Afrobeats continues to chart internationally and draw collaborations from some of the biggest names in global music.
Kendrick Lamar dominated the evening’s honours, winning four major categories including Album of the Year for GNX, Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Video of the Year for Not Like Us, and Best Collaboration with SZA for the track Luther.
In a night that spotlighted a mix of emerging talents and industry legends, other winners included SZA (Best Female R&B/Pop Artist), Doechii (Best Female Hip Hop Artist), and Chris Brown, who took home both Best Male R&B/Pop Artist and Viewer’s Choice Award for Residuals.
The full list of 2025 BET Award winners also featured standout moments such as Cynthia Erivo’s win for Best Actress, Denzel Washington securing Best Actor, and Luther: Never Too Much being named Best Movie. The YoungStars Award went to Blue Ivy Carter, while Angel Reese and Jalen Hurts were crowned Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year respectively.
The ceremony was marked by Kevin Hart’s no-holds-barred humour, with jabs aimed at some of the biggest names in pop culture. “I’m just here to have fun and remind y’all that laughter is still free,” Hart joked, before launching into a lively monologue.
For Ayra Starr, the win marks a milestone in a career that began only a few years ago. Signed to Mavin Records, she has quickly risen through the ranks with her genre-blending sound and bold lyrical expression.
The BET Awards, which first launched in 2001, remain one of the most influential platforms for recognising Black talent around the world. Ayra Starr’s victory not only affirms her rising status but also reinforces Nigeria’s dominant presence in the global music scene.
