The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards have unveiled their nominees, showcasing a remarkable year for African music on the global stage, while pop icon Lady Gaga emerges as the ceremony’s frontrunner with a commanding 12 nominations.
Nigerian Afrobeats sensations Burna Boy and Asake have secured their positions as the most-nominated African artists, each earning two nods in what represents a significant milestone for the continent’s growing musical influence.
Burna Boy’s dual recognition spans both artistic excellence and social impact—his collaboration with Travis Scott on “Tatata” earned him a spot in the Best Afrobeats category, while his socially conscious track “Higher” secured a nomination in the prestigious Video For Good category.
Asake, riding high on his meteoric rise in the Afrobeats scene, claimed both of his nominations in the Best Afrobeats category. His high-energy collaboration “Active” with Travis Scott and the Tems-assisted “Get It Right” demonstrates the artist’s versatility and international appeal.
The African representation extends beyond these frontrunners, with a constellation of continental stars earning recognition. Established names including Rema, Wizkid, and South African sensation Tyla each secured nominations in the Best Afrobeats category, while rising star Moliy rounds out the African presence in the same category. Notably, Ayra Starr broke into different territory, earning recognition in the MTV PUSH Performance of the Year category for “Last Heartbreak Song,” highlighting the diverse pathways African artists are carving in the global music landscape.
However, the night’s ultimate spotlight falls on Lady Gaga, whose 12 nominations span the ceremony’s most coveted categories. The pop superstar’s recognition includes nods for Best Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Video of the Year, cementing her status as 2025’s most celebrated musical force. Her collaboration with Bruno Mars on “Die with a Smile” appears multiple times across various categories, underscoring the track’s cultural impact.
The Video of the Year category presents a diverse field of contenders, featuring Kendrick Lamar’s culturally significant “Not Like Us,” Ariana Grande’s “Brighter Days Ahead,” and the Bruno Mars collaborations that have dominated charts worldwide. The selection reflects MTV’s recognition of both mainstream appeal and artistic innovation.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” emerges as a significant cultural moment, earning nominations not only for Video of the Year but also appearing in technical categories including Best Direction, Best Art Direction, and Best Cinematography. The track’s multiple nominations suggest its impact extends beyond commercial success into artistic achievement.
The ceremony, scheduled for September 7 at the USB Arena in New York, promises to be a celebration of music’s global reach. The strong African representation particularly highlights the continued internationalization of the VMAs, reflecting Afrobeats’ evolution from a regional genre to a global phenomenon.
The Best Afrobeats category alone tells the story of a musical movement that has transcended geographical boundaries, featuring collaborations with American hip-hop royalty Travis Scott and showcasing the genre’s ability to blend with various musical styles while maintaining its distinctive identity.
As the music industry continues to embrace global sounds, the 2025 MTV VMA nominations serve as a barometer for cultural shifts, with African artists no longer seeking inclusion but commanding recognition on merit. The ceremony promises to celebrate not just individual achievements but the broader transformation of popular music’s landscape.
The September ceremony will determine whether this nomination success translates into victory for African artists, potentially marking a historic moment for continental representation at one of music’s most visible award shows.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
The 2025 MTV VMAs mark a historic moment for African music’s global recognition, with Nigerian artists Burna Boy and Asake leading the continent’s strongest-ever showing with two nominations each.
While Lady Gaga dominates overall with 12 nominations, the substantial African presence across multiple categories—including seven artists in Best Afrobeats alone—signals that Afrobeats has definitively evolved from a regional sound to a mainstream global force commanding respect at music’s biggest stages. This represents a cultural shift where African artists are no longer seeking inclusion but earning recognition on pure merit.
