Afrobeats sensation Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, popularly known as Ayra Starr, has clinched her first-ever BET award, taking home the 2025 BET Award for Best International Act.
The 22-year-old emerged victorious over top contenders including South Africa’s Tyla, fellow Nigerian Rema and Ghana’s Black Sherif.
The award ceremony, held on Monday night at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, celebrates Black excellence in music, film, sports and culture.
This year’s show was hosted by comedian Kevin Hart, who returned to the role after first hosting in 2011. He kicked off the night with sharp-witted humour, taking jabs at pop culture figures such as Kanye West.
Ayra Starr’s win marks a major milestone in her career. Since her debut BET nomination in 2022 for Best New International Act, she has been a regular on the nominees list.
She was nominated for Best International Act again in 2023, received a BET Her Award nomination in 2024 for her song ‘Commas’, and scored three nominations in 2025.
Meanwhile, rapper Kendrick Lamar was the night’s biggest winner, sweeping four major categories: 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 ‘Luther.’
Other winners included SZA, who won Best Female R&B/Pop Artist and Chris Brown, who picked up Best Male R&B/Pop Artist as well as the Viewer’s Choice Award for ‘Residuals.’
Denzel Washington and Cynthia Erivo were awarded Best Actor and Best Actress respectively, while Luther: Never Too Much was named Best Movie.
