Ghanaian music sensation Black Sherif has narrowly missed out on the coveted Best International Act award at the 2025 BET Awards, with the honour going instead to Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr.

The star-studded ceremony, held on Monday, June 9, 2025, in Los Angeles, celebrated global Black excellence across music, film, and sports, with a strong spotlight on artists from Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

Known for his breakout hit Second Sermon and his critically acclaimed 2023 album The Villain I Never Was, Black Sherif had been Ghana’s sole nominee at this year’s event. It was his second BET nod, following a Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act nomination in 2023.

This year, he faced stiff competition in a diverse and powerful field that included Rema (Nigeria), Tyla (South Africa), Ezra Collective (UK), Any Gabrielly (Brazil), and eventual winner Ayra Starr, whose meteoric rise has made her one of Afrobeats’ brightest lights.

Despite the disappointment, fans and industry peers alike took to social media to celebrate Black Sherif’s global reach and the increasing visibility he brings to Ghanaian music. From sold-out tours across Europe and North America to collaborations with international stars like Burna Boy, Sherif’s influence continues to grow.

The BET Awards, launched in 2001 by Black Entertainment Television, serve as one of the most prestigious platforms for celebrating Black achievements in entertainment. The Best International Act category has grown significantly in prominence, reflecting the expanding global influence of African and diaspora artists.

Below is the full list of winners from the 2025 BET Awards:

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Major Music Categories

Album of the Year
🏆 GNX — Kendrick Lamar
Other nominees: Drake & Partynextdoor, Chris Brown, Doechii, Beyoncé, GloRilla, The Weeknd, Future & Metro Boomin

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
🏆 SZA
Other nominees: Ayra Starr, Ari Lennox, Coco Jones, Kehlani, Muni Long, Summer Walker, Victoria Monét

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
🏆 Chris Brown
Other nominees: Bruno Mars, Drake, Fridayy, Leon Thomas, Teddy Swims, The Weeknd, Usher

Best Group
🏆 Future & Metro Boomin
Other nominees: 41, Common & Pete Rock, Flo, Drake & Partynextdoor, Larry June & 2 Chainz, Maverick City Music

Best Collaboration
🏆 “Luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA
Other nominees: SZA feat. Kendrick Lamar, Doechii feat. JT, Teddy Swims feat. Givēon, Future & Metro Boomin, Tyler, The Creator feat. GloRilla, The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti, etc.

Best Female Hip Hop Artist
🏆 Doechii
Other nominees: Cardi B, Doja Cat, GloRilla, Latto, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, Rapsody, Sexyy Red

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
🏆 Kendrick Lamar
Other nominees: Burna Boy, Drake, Future, Lil Wayne, Tyler, The Creator, BigXthaPlug, Bossman DLow, Key Glock

Video of the Year
🏆 “Not Like Us” — Kendrick Lamar
Other nominees: Key Glock, Kehlani, Doechii, Drake, The Weeknd, Future & Metro Boomin

Video Director of the Year
🏆 Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
Other nominees: Anderson .Paak, Cole Bennett, Tyler, The Creator, Benny Boom, Dave Meyers, etc.

Best New Artist
🏆 Leon Thomas
Other nominees: Ayra Starr, BigXthaPlug, Bossman DLow, Dee Billz, Shaboozey, Teddy Swims

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International Categories

Best International Act
🏆 Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Other nominees: Black Sherif (Ghana), Rema (Nigeria), Tyla (South Africa), Ezra Collective (UK), Any Gabrielly (Brazil), among others

Best New International Act
🏆 Not announced in this segment
Nominees included: Abigail Chams (Tanzania), Shallipopi (Nigeria), Amabbi (Brazil), KWN (UK), and others

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Specialty & Inspirational Categories

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
🏆 “Rain Down on Me” — GloRilla feat. Kirk Franklin & Maverick City Music

BET Her Award
🏆 “Heart of a Woman” — Summer Walker
Other nominees: Beyoncé, Tems, Mary J. Blige, Doechii, Cynthia Erivo, Flo & GloRilla

Viewer’s Choice Award
🏆 “Residuals” — Chris Brown

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Film & Acting Categories

Best Movie
🏆 Luther: Never Too Much

Best Actor
🏆 Denzel Washington

Best Actress
🏆 Cynthia Erivo

Young Stars Award
🏆 Blue Ivy Carter

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Sports Categories

Sportswoman of the Year
🏆 Angel Reese
Other nominees: Sha’Carri Richardson, Simone Biles, Coco Gauff, A’ja Wilson

Sportsman of the Year
🏆 Jalen Hurts
Other nominees: LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Anthony Edwards, Deion Sanders

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The 2025 BET Awards marked another dynamic chapter in global Black entertainment, celebrating both established icons and rising stars. While Black Sherif may not have taken home the award this year, his continued recognition affirms Ghana’s place on the world music map.