At the 2025 BET Awards, the cultural was in direct conversation with the political. Amidst ongoing anti-ICE protests taking over the streets of Los Angeles and a stringent anti-immigration policy, this year's BET Awards ceremony found a way to be memorable while speaking directly to the uncertainty of the moment.

The evening featured memorable performances, unforgettable award acceptance speeches, and, best of all, stunning red carpet looks. Anchoring different parts of the exciting evening were African superstars from across the globe. Nigeria's Ayra Starr took home the award for Best International Act, a category previously won by Tyla, Tems, and Burna Boy.

Ghanaian rising star Moliy performed her hit single, "Shake It To The Max," at the pre-event stage, shutting it down with a vibrant crowd that cheered her on as they waved miniature Ghanaian flags. Meanwhile, British Sudanese artist Elmiene gave a soul-stirring performance on the main BET stage.

On the red carpet, the African stars in attendance kept their foot on the pedal, showing out in statement-making outfits. While some opted for cultural influences, others chose effortless glamour and even drew inspiration from early 2000s fashion. The looks were as diverse as the astounding range of talent emerging from the continent and onto the global stage.

Below are some of the memorable looks from African artists on the 2025 BET Awards red carpet.

Moliy

With the incredible year Moliy is having - scoring her second Billboard Hot 100 hit with the remix of her hit "Shake It To The Max" featuring Shensea and Skillberg, becoming the first Ghanaian artist to perform at the BET and the most streamed artist from Ghana at the moment - the shiny, gold dress she wore on the BET red carpet was completely illustrative of this moment in her life. A gold purse and a vibrant smile complemented the thin, strapped gown. With Moliy's momentum, it would be unsurprising to see her on next year's red carpet not just as a performer but as a nominee.

Swanky Jerry

Nigerian stylist and one of the memorable stars of the Netflix reality series "Young, Famous & African," Swanky Jerry, arrived on the BET red carpet in a blue deconstructed Agbada and turban. Jerry described the inspiration behind his outfit as "a quiet tribute to every Black dream stitched in silence, realized in color and celebrated on the carpet." Jerry's Agbada was a clear nod to the traditional Nigerian garb, which is typically worn at cultural or ceremonial events.

​Black Sherif

In baggy pants and a loose-fitting denim shirt, Ghanaian rapper Black Sherif, one of the nominees for this year's Best International Acts category, kept things clean and retro for his red carpet look. For accessories, the flag bearer of a new generation of Ghanaian rap went with minimalist silver chains and statement-making glasses.

Shaboozey

Nigerian American country artist Shaboozey combined his country music background with his Nigerian heritage. Shaboozey wore a custom Eleven Sixteen suit by Ugo Mozie. The suit featured black cowrie shells at the lapels and an eye-catching crocodile skin belt featuring miniature gold Benin bronzes. Cowrie shells also dotted the sleeves of the suit, which was topped off with a classic cowboy hat. Shaboozey was nominated under the Video of the Year and New Artist categories at this year's BET Awards.

Elmiene

British Sudanese artist Elmiene, who was nominated for Viewer's Choice: Best New International Act and performed his single "Tears" at the live show, stepped onto the red carpet in a statement-making black Jellabiya. The Jellabiya featured intricate gold embroidery and directly referenced Elmiene's Sudanese background. While speaking with OkayAfrica on the red carpet, the Frankfurt-born and Oxford-raised star shared his excitement about performing with some of the R&B stars he looks up to, including Babyface, Jamie Foxx, and Teddy Riley.

Abigail Chams

Tanzania's Abigail Chams, who was also nominated for the Best New International Act, wore a shimmering black dress with a plunged neckline. For accessories, the "Me Too" hitmaker kept things simple with serpentine earrings and silver bracelets.

TxC

South African DJ and producer duo TxC (Tarryn Ried and Clairise Hefke) stormed the red carpet in matching black, distressed fabric dresses. The duo, who have collaborated with some of the continent's biggest stars, including Davido, took home the Best New International Act Award at this year's ceremony.

The nominees for the 25th annual BET Awards have officially landed, and African artists are making their presence felt. From Lagos to Johannesburg, Dar es Salaam to Accra, a diverse slate of continental talent has secured nominations across major categories, underlining the global rise and influence of African music.

This year, Nigerian pop powerhouse Ayra Starr leads the African contingent with three nods – Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Best New Artist, and Best International Act. It's a significant moment for the 21-year-old, whose debut album, The Year I Turned 21, has positioned her as a standout voice in the Afro-pop landscape. Ayra's nomination haul cements her arrival as a local chart-topper and a fully-fledged global star.

Another Nigerian trailblazer, Tems, earned double nominations in the BET Her category for “Burning” and “Hold On,” both from her critically acclaimed debut Born In The Wild. Known for her introspective writing and haunting vocals, Tems continues to expand the boundaries of soul and R&B, infusing them with the spirit of Lagos while resonating with audiences worldwide.

Across the Best New International Act category, the spotlight turns to a new class of African talent defining the moment: Nigeria’s Shallipopi, UK-based Nigerian artist Odeal, South Africa’s Maglera Doe Boy, Tanzania’s Abigail Chams, and Durban’s genre-bending producer Dlala Thukzin all made the cut. It’s a testament to the explosive creativity bubbling from African scenes that increasingly set the pace for pop music at large.

Speaking on this year’s nominations, Senior Vice President & Co-General Manager at Paramount Africa and Lead at BET International, Monde Twala, reflected on the significance of this moment: “The 2025 nominations reflect the incredible creativity, influence, and impact of African artists who are shaping culture and pushing boundaries. These talents represent the diversity and heartbeat of a new generation, and the global resonance of our sounds.”

The awards continue to spotlight excellence across Black entertainment. US rapper Kendrick Lamar leads all nominees with ten nods, including Album of the Year for GNX and Video of the Year for “Not Like Us.” Rising star Doechii, with her genre-bending debut Alligator Bites Never Heal, earned six nominations, tying with Drake, Future, and GloRilla. Meanwhile, SZA and The Weeknd both earned four nominations each.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the BET Awards, dubbed “Culture’s Biggest Night”, returns to the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Tuesday, 10 June, broadcasting live on BET (DStv Channel 129 and GOtv Channel 21) at 01:00 WAT. The milestone event will also include the free 2-day BETX Fan Fest, co-produced by Live Nation Urban, with concerts, panel discussions, and community activations.

As African artists continue to break borders and redefine genre, their growing visibility at institutions like the BET Awards marks more than just individual wins; it’s a reflection of how the global cultural map is being redrawn.