Nigerian Afro-pop star Ayra Starr has made history by winning the Best International Act at the 2025 BET Awards, held at the Peacock Arena in Los Angeles. The win marks her first-ever BET Award and solidifies her rising influence on the global music stage. Known for her chart-topping hit “Rush,” the Mavin Records signee triumphed over stiff competition, including fellow Nigerian superstar Rema and South Africa’s breakout star Tyla. After previous nominations in past years, Ayra finally clinched the award, making this a defining moment in her career. Though she dominated the international category, Ayra Starr was also up for Best New Artist and Best Female R\&B/Pop Artist but lost those to Leon Thomas and SZA, respectively. The night also featured other key moments for Nigerian music. Grammy-winning artist Tems was nominated twice in the BET Her category but missed out to Summer Walker, whose empowering single “Heart of a Woman” took home the award. Meanwhile, the biggest winner of the evening was Kendrick Lamar, who swept five awards out of his ten nominations. His wins included: Album of the Year (GNX), Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Video of the Year (Not Like Us), Best Collaboration (Luther featuring SZA), Video Director of the Year (shared with Dave Free) Ayra Starr’s win isn’t just personal, it represents a broader recognition of the power and reach of African music. As Afrobeat and Afropop continue to break global boundaries, her success serves as inspiration for a new generation of artists.