UPDATED: Asake, Burna Boy, Rema, Wizkid, Tyla Lead Afrobeats Charge At 2025 MTV VMAs

UPDATED: Asake, Burna Boy, Rema, Wizkid, Tyla Lead Afrobeats Charge At 2025 MTV VMAs

Afrobeats is once again making waves on the world stage, with the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) unveiling a star-studded slate of contenders in the Best Afrobeats category — a testament to the genre’s meteoric rise and cultural influence over the past year.

MTV and CBS announced the full list of nominees ahead of the VMAs’ return on Monday, September 8, broadcasting live from New York’s UBS Arena and airing coast-to-coast on MTV (DStv Channel 130) at 00:00 WAT.

Leading the pack is Nigerian sensation Asake, who earns two nods in the Best Afrobeats category — for “Active” with American rapper Travis Scott, and “Get It Right” featuring global R&B star Tems. These collaborations fuse Afrobeats with international pop, pushing the genre into fresh commercial territory.

Also scoring double nominations is Afrobeats powerhouse Burna Boy. His hit “TaTaTa” featuring Travis Scott lands in the Best Afrobeats race, while “Higher” secures a spot in the prestigious Video for Good category, showcasing his knack for pairing social commentary with worldwide appeal.

South African breakout star Tyla matches that energy with two nominations for her hit “PUSH 2 START”, appearing in both Best Afrobeats and Best Choreography — proof of her artistry and viral dance influence.

The lineup also includes Rema, recognised for his emotive single “Baby (Is It A Crime)”, marking another stride in his global rise. Wizkid earns a nod for “Piece Of My Heart” with Brent Faiyaz, a soulful collaboration that has drawn critical praise.

Completing the list are MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea, whose remix of “Shake It To The Max (FLY)” delivers a vibrant Afro-Caribbean blend primed for the dancefloor.

This year’s nominees spotlight Afrobeats’ diversity and its ability to transcend borders, merging sounds and cultures from across the globe.

With artists topping charts, selling out arenas, and shaping the sound of modern pop, the 2025 VMAs stand as yet another powerful endorsement of Africa’s music and its global storytellers.