Burna Boy and Asake Lead African Nominees at 2025 MTV VMAs

Burna Boy and Asake lead African representation at the 2025 MTV VMAs with two nominations each, highlighting the global rise of Afrobeats.

Two of Nigeria’s biggest music exports, Burna Boy and Asake, have emerged as the most-nominated African artists at the upcoming MTV 2025 Video Music Awards (VMAs), each securing two nominations and continuing their impressive global run.

Burna Boy is nominated in the Video for Good category for his emotionally resonant track “Higher” and in Best Afrobeats for “TaTaTa”, his hit collaboration with American rapper Travis Scott. Asake also claimed two nods, both in the Best Afrobeats category—one for “Active” with Travis Scott and another for “Get It Right” with fellow Nigerian star Tems.

The 2025 nominations signal a major moment for Afrobeats and African music on the global stage, as other continental heavyweights such as Wizkid, Tems, Rema, Tyla, Moliy, and Ayra Starr also received nominations across various categories.

The VMAs, known for celebrating the best in global music and visual storytelling, will be held on 7 September in New York City, and are expected to draw a star-studded lineup of performers and nominees from around the world.

The rise of Afrobeats on international platforms like MTV reflects the genre’s exponential growth and its influence on mainstream pop culture. With multiple high-profile collaborations and sold-out tours across the globe, African artists continue to redefine what it means to be international music icons.

As anticipation builds ahead of the awards night, fans across Africa and beyond will be hoping their favourites bring home the coveted Moon Person trophy.