2025 BET Awards: Full List of Winners As Abigail Chams Misses Out

Tanzania’s Abigail Chams missed out on the BET Awards, 2025 edition as the award went to Brazil’s Ajuli Costa in the category of Best New International Act.

The 2025 BET Awards took place on Monday, June 9, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, marking a significant milestone as BET celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special tribute to "106 & Park."

The star-studded event, hosted by comedian Kevin Hart, honored excellence in Black culture across music, film, television, and sports, drawing a vibrant crowd of artists, entertainers, and cultural icons.

The red carpet buzzed with anticipation as A-listers like Snoop Dogg, Keke Palmer, and Tyler Perry made their grand entrance. Performers lit up the stage with electrifying sets, including Lil Wayne, Teyana Taylor, GloRilla, Playboi Carti, Leon Thomas, and a nostalgic 25th-anniversary celebration of the iconic show "106 & Park" featuring beloved artists such as Ashanti, Mya, and B2K.

The ceremony also paid tribute to a quartet of living legends, bestowing the Ultimate Icon Award upon Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg, and Kirk Franklin for their indelible contributions to entertainment.

Leading the pack in nominations was Kendrick Lamar, who amassed an impressive 10 nods. Doechii, Drake, Future, and GloRilla followed closely with six nominations each, while Metro Boomin secured five. SZA and The Weeknd each garnered four nominations, setting the stage for a highly competitive night.

One of the most keenly watched categories, especially for East African music enthusiasts, was the Best New International Act. Tanzania's rising star, Abigail Chams, who had made history as the only female artist from East Africa to be nominated in this category, unfortunately, missed out on the award.

The coveted trophy ultimately went to Brazil's Ajuliacosta, marking a significant win for Latin representation on the global stage. Abigail Chams' nomination itself was a celebrated milestone for Tanzanian music, showcasing the growing international influence of East African talent.

Here's a list of the nominees and winners from the 2025 BET Awards:

Best Actress

• Andra Day
• Angela Bassett
• Coco Jones
• Keke Palmer
• Kerry Washington
• Quinta Brunson
• Viola Davis
• Zendaya
• Winner: Cynthia Erivo

YoungStars Award

• Akira Akbar
• Graceyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth
• Heiress Harris
• Melody Hurd
• Thaddeus J. Mixson
• Tyrik Johnson
• Vanvan
• Winner: Blue Ivy Carter

Sportswoman of the Year

• A'ja Wilson
• Claressa Shields
• Coco Gauff
• Dawn Staley
• Flau'jae Johnson
• JuJu Watkins
• Sha'Carri Richardson
• Simone Biles
• Winner: Angel Reese

Sportsman of the Year

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

Best New International Act

• Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
• 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)
• Winner: Ajuliacosta (Brazil)

The 2025 BET Awards once again proved to be "Culture's Biggest Night," celebrating the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of Black excellence across various entertainment realms while also marking a significant quarter-century milestone for the iconic network.

Full List of Winners 

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

WINNER: 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

WINNER: SZA

Victoria Monét

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

Bruno Mars

WINNER: Chris Brown

Drake

Fridayy

Leon Thomas

Teddy Swims

The Weeknd

Usher

Best Group

41

Common & Pete Rock

Drake & Partynextdoor

Flo

WINNER: Future & Metro Boomin

Jacquees & Dej Loaf

Larry June, 2 Chainz, 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

WINNER: “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

WINNER: 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

WINNER: 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

WINNER: “Not Like Us” — Kendrick Lamar

“Timeless” — The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti

“Type Shit” — Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Playboi Carti

Video Director of the Year

Anderson .Paak

B Pace Productions & Jacquees

Benny Boom

Cactus Jack

Cole Bennett

WINNER: Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar

Dave Meyers

Foggieraw

Tyler, The Creator

Best New Artist

41

Ayra Starr

BigXthaPlug

BossMan Dlow

Dee Billz

WINNER: 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

WINNER: “Rain Down on Me” — GloRilla feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music

Viewer’s Choice Award

WINNER: “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)

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)

BET Her

“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

WINNER: “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

WINNER: Luther: Never Too Much

Mufasa: The Lion King

One of Them Days

Rebel Ridge

The Piano Lesson

The Six Triple Eight

Best Actor

Aaron Pierce

Aldis Hodge

Anthony Mackie

Colman Domingo

WINNER: Denzel Washington

Jamie Foxx

Joey Bada$$

Kevin Hart

Sterling K. Brown

Will Smith

Best Actress

Andra Day

Angela Bassett

Coco Jones

WINNER: Cynthia Erivo

Keke Palmer

Kerry Washington

Quinta Brunson

Viola Davis

Zendaya

Young Stars Award

Akira Akbar

WINNER: Blue Ivy Carter

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