Nigerian music stars Burna Boy and Asake have emerged as leading African contenders for the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, securing two nominations each in a historic showcase of the continent’s growing influence in global music. The artists’ dual nods highlight a surge in recognition for Afrobeats and African collaborations, with the September 7 ceremony at New York’s USB Arena poised to celebrate diverse genres and international talent.
Burna Boy’s socially conscious track Higher earned a Video For Good nomination, while TaTaTa, his collaboration with Travis Scott, competes in Best Afrobeats. Asake, a rising Afrobeats heavyweight, garnered two nominations in the same category: Active featuring Travis Scott and Get It Right with fellow Nigerian artist Tems. This marks the first time two African artists share the title of most-nominated contenders from the region at the VMAs.
The wider African roster includes Grammy winner Tyla, who received her first VMA nod for Push 2 Start, alongside established acts like Wizkid, Rema, and Moliy in Best Afrobeats. Ayra Starr broke into the MTV Push Performance of the Year category with Last Heartbreak Song, spotlighting her September 2024 showcase.
Globally, Lady Gaga dominates the nominations with 12 nods, including Artist of the Year and Video of the Year for Die with a Smile, her collaboration with Bruno Mars. The track faces competition from Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us and Billie Eilish’s Birds of a Feather in major categories. Bruno Mars appears in five nominations through partnerships with Gaga, Rosé, and others, underscoring his versatility across pop and R&B.
Other standout categories reveal a blend of industry legends and emerging voices. Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé join Taylor Swift in the Artist of the Year race, while Best New Artist contenders like Sombr and Ella Langley highlight fresh talent. Afrobeats continues its global ascent with seven nominated tracks, including cross-continental collaborations between African artists and international stars.
Technical categories showcase cinematic ambition, with Ariana Grande’s Brighter Days Ahead and The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow competing in both Best Long Form Video and Album categories. Burna Boy’s Higher stands out in Video For Good, which recognizes socially impactful works alongside Charli XCX’s Guess and Eminem’s Somebody Save Me.
The VMAs’ expanded genre categories—from K-Pop to Latin—reflect evolving musical landscapes, with BLACKPINK’s Rosé earning three nominations and Bad Bunny leading Latin music contenders. As anticipation builds for the September ceremony, this year’s nominations underscore music’s borderless appeal, bridging African innovation with global mainstream trends.
