Tag Archives: Tems

Tems at F1, Ayra Starr’s MOBO Wins, Tyla’s Vogue Cover—The Girls Are Taking Over!

Tems, Ayra Starr, and Tyla dominated this week. Tems performed at F1 livery for Aston Martin, Ayra Starr made history with double MOBO wins, and Tyla stunned on British Vogue.

The week isn’t even over yet, and it’s already been filled with wins, celebrations, and moments worth talking about from the women leading the music scene across the continent. TemsTyla, and Ayra Starr (two Grammy winners and a double MOBO Award winner) have all been in the spotlight with a winning streak.

It’s been one good thing after another, so much so that it’s hard to know where to start. But let’s begin with Tems. Last week, she made a power move by joining San Diego FC’s ownership group as a club partner alongside Issa Rae. Then she gave us the music video for ‘Boy O Boy,’ and if you’ve seen it, you probably haven’t stopped talking about the moment she picked up a grown man and dropped him on the floor—who knew she had that kind of strength? And just when we thought she was done, she took centre stage at The O2 Arena in London to perform live at the unveiling of Aston Martin’s 2025 racing car for Formula 1 car livery event.

For Tyla, the moment was all fashion. The South African star graced the cover of British Vogue’s March issue, and she absolutely owned it—the styling, the colours, the attitude, the presence. The interview was just as good, giving us a glimpse into her world as she continues to soar.

Then there was Ayra Starr, making history at the MOBO Awards. It had been 16 years since a female artist won Best African Music Act, but she broke that streak and took the award home. And that wasn’t all—she also won Best International Act, winning both of her nominations. Everything na double double! She’s also in New Balance’s lifestyle 740s campaign, alongside Jaden Smith, adding another highlight to an already incredible week.

From music to fashion and even sports, the women came through and owned the moment thai week. Wouldn’t you agree?

Bellanajia/Trendznigeria

Tems Celebrates San Diego FC’s Historic MLS Victory

Nigerian Music Star Shows Support for New Club

Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has celebrated San Diego FC’s first-ever victory in Major League Soccer (MLS), TrendzNigeria reports.

The “Love Me Jeje” hitmaker, who recently made history as the first female to own a stake in the expansion club, expressed her excitement on social media following the milestone win. She posted on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, “Listen, our ting is different.”

Spotted at Arsenal’s Defeat Alongside Ayra Starr

Tems, a well-known sports enthusiast, was recently seen in the stands at the Emirates Stadium during Arsenal’s 1-0 Premier League defeat to West Ham United last Saturday. She attended the match alongside fellow Nigerian pop star Ayra Starr, further showcasing her love for the game.

Historic Investment in San Diego FC

Earlier this month, Tems made headlines by becoming the first female investor in San Diego FC, a new addition to MLS. Her involvement in the club reflects a growing connection between the worlds of music, sports, and entertainment.

San Diego FC will play their highly anticipated home debut on March 1, welcoming St. Louis CITY SC to Snapdragon Stadium. Fans are eager to see how the club progresses with the backing of high-profile figures like Tems.

Music and Sports: A Growing Connection

Tems’ investment in San Diego FC highlights a rising trend of global musicians getting involved in sports franchises. Her passion for football, particularly women’s football in Nigeria, aligns with a broader movement of entertainers bridging the gap between their industries and the sports world.

Tems Drops Striking Stills from “Boy O Boy”

Have you watched Tems’ “BOY O BOY” video yet? It’s the kind of visual that pulls you in, weaving a story of heartbreak, pain, and finding strength again.

Every moment feels intentional, leading up to that unforgettable final scene—Tems lifting his body, dropping it on the road, and walking away without looking back. It’s bold, gripping, and leaves you thinking.

Now, she’s giving us a closer look with stunning stills from the video, capturing different scenes and angles, including the moment she carries him.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TEMS (@temsbaby)

Bellanaija

Tems Joins San Diego FC Ownership as Club Partner

A Global Music Star Ventures into Football Ownership

From Lagos to San Diego, Grammy award-winning and Oscar-nominated Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems has officially joined the San Diego FC ownership group as a club partner. This announcement was made in a joint Instagram post by both Tems and the football club, featuring the artist expressing her passion for football and the importance of impacting young talents through the club’s academy.

A Commitment to Youth Development

In her Instagram post, Tems shared her excitement, stating, “I am so stoked to announce I have officially joined the @sandiegofc ownership group as a Club Partner. I get to be a part of a family that encompasses everything I believe in with the SDFCs @right2dream initiative, which is all about giving young talents the opportunity to shine both on and off the field. This is more than a club it’s a movement. Can’t wait for what’s ahead.”

Her involvement with the club aligns with her long-standing appreciation for football, which she attributes to watching her brother and his friends play during her childhood. In a video excerpt, she explained, “I have always loved soccer and I have always been a fan of sports. To be very honest, music and sports are kind of similar in a way that they give opportunities to young talents and the next generation coming up.”

Fans Celebrate Tems’ New Milestone

The news of Tems’ involvement with San Diego FC has been met with widespread support and applause from fans who see this as a significant and thoughtful move. Many believe this venture not only solidifies her global impact but also showcases her dedication to initiatives that uplift young talent. Her Grammy win for Love Me Jeje was a significant milestone this year, and this new partnership serves as the perfect complement to her continued success.

A Trailblazer in Music and Beyond

Tems rose to prominence in 2019 with her breakout hit Try Me. Her international recognition skyrocketed after her feature on Wizkid’s Essence, a chart-topping song that earned her several award nominations, including a Grammy. Throughout her career, she has received multiple accolades, including NAACP Image Awards, a Soul Train Music Award, and BET Awards, cementing her status as a global music powerhouse.

PHOTOS: Eye-catching fashion picks at the 2025 Grammys red carpet

The 67th Grammy Awards took place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, with Trevor Noah hosting the ceremony for the fifth consecutive year.

The 2025 Grammy Awards red carpet was a showcase of bold and glamorous fashion statements from the biggest stars in the entertainment industry. The evening’s ensembles highlighted the unique styles of the celebrities, reflecting their individuality and creativity.

From simple and casual to classic elegance, bold and edgy, playful glamour, and avant-garde and vintage inspirations, the fashion picks were diverse and eye-catching.

From Tems, Asake , Jayden Smith, Charli XCX, Avery Wilson, Willow Smith, Sabrina Carpenter, Shakira, Latto, and Miley Cyrus to Heidi Klum, below are some of the top celebrity fashion picks from the 2025 Grammys:

Tems and Asake
Raye
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
aney Wilson
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Nikki Glaser
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Kali Uchis
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Miley Cyrus
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Shakira
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Sabrina Carpenter
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Jayden Smith
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Avery Wilson
Daniel Cole/ Reuters
Willow Smith
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Teddy Smith
Daniel Cole/ Reuters

Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu Rejoice With Tems for Winning Big at 2025 67th Grammy Awards

•Applaud other nominated Nigerian stars

Deji Elumoye, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have rejoiced with Nigerian music sensation, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, for winning the Best African Music Performance award at the 67th annual Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

The President, on behalf of the entire nation,  commended the singer for her unique artistry, which has brought pride to Nigeria on the global stage for the second time.

Tinubu, in a statement by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, celebrated the rise of a new generation of young and multi-talented Nigerian musical artists, who have propelled Afrobeats to international prominence, projecting the country’s reputation as a powerhouse of musical innovation, creativity and cultural influence.

“From Africa to Antarctica, Asia to Australia, Europe to the Americas, the Nigerian music industry, particularly, Afrobeats has become a source of national pride, promoting a sense of identity and self-expression while uniting people across borders,” he said.

The president congratulated other Nigerian artists nominated for this year’s Grammy Award including Yemi Alade, Asake, Wizkid, Lojay, Davido, and Burna Boy.

Tinubu thanked these patriots for putting Nigeria on the global map of great achievers in the music industry and for showcasing the country’s creative excellence.

His words: “You are all inspiration and role models to many young people. The nation remains deeply grateful for your contributions to music, job creation, and tourism promotion. I wish you all continued success in your musical careers.”

On his part, Sanwo-Olu, said the award was a prestigious recognition that highlighted Tems’ exceptional talent and contribution to the music industry not only in Nigeria and the African continent but also on the global stage.

Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said the 29-year-old Tems has achieved a milestone with the international recognition at the 67th Grammy Award.

The governor said the award received by Tems was an affirmation of Lagos as truly the home of entertainment, creativity, tourism, culture and arts.

He said: “Temilade Openiyi once again has proved to the world that she is a creative of an uncommon talent. We thank her for bringing the Best African Music Performance Grammy back to Nigeria. As a Lagosian, we are excited with her success.

“Tems winning the 67th Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance is a confirmation that our dear Lagos State remains the hub of entertainment, creativity and tourism in the West African sub-region.

“On behalf of my family, the government, and the people of Lagos State, I congratulate Tems for achieving this great feat, and I urge her not to rest on her oars as the future remains a lot brighter than it is today.”

Openiyi won the Best African Music Performance Award held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. She emerged victorious in a fierce competition, defeating strong contenders with her love song: “Love Me Jeje.”

67th Annual Grammy Awards: Celebrating Music’s Best

A Night of Recognition and Excellence
The 67th Annual Grammy Awards took place on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, honoring the most outstanding achievements in the music industry over the past year. Hosted by Trevor Noah for the fifth consecutive year, the event showcased a diverse range of artists and musical genres.

Tems Wins Big for Nigeria
Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, secured the Best African Music Performance award for her hit single “Love Me JeJe.” This marks her second Grammy win, following her first in 2023. The song, released on April 26, 2024, is a modern reimagining of Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 classic, blending Afrobeats with contemporary R&B elements.

Key Winners of the Night
The night was filled with memorable victories across multiple categories. Below are some of the top winners:

Best Pop Solo Performance

  • Winner: Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso”

Best Dance/Electronic Music Album

  • Winner: Charli XCX – “Brat”

Best Rock Performance

  • Winner: The Beatles – “Now and Then”

Best Rap Performance

  • Winner: Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”

Best Rap Song

  • Winner: Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”

Best Alternative Music Album

  • Winner: St. Vincent – “All Born Screaming”

Best Country Solo Performance

  • Winner: Chris Stapleton – “It Takes a Woman”

Best Country Duo/Group Performance

  • Winner: Beyoncé featuring Miley Cyrus – “II Most Wanted”

Best Melodic Rap Performance

  • Winner: Rapsody featuring Erykah Badu – “3:AM”

Best Dance Pop Recording

  • Winner: Charli XCX – “Von Dutch”

Best Dance/Electronic Recording

  • Winner: Justice and Tame Impala – “Neverender”

Best R&B Performance

  • Winner: Muni Long – “Made for Me (Live on BET)”

Best Traditional R&B Performance

  • Winner: Lucky Daye – “That’s You”

Best Comedy Album

  • Winner: Dave Chappelle – “The Dreamer”

Best R&B Song

  • Winner: SZA – “Saturn”

Best Progressive R&B Album

  • Winners (tie): Avery*Sunshine – “So Glad to Know You” and NxWorries (Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge) – “Why Lawd?”

Best R&B Album

  • Winner: Chris Brown – “11:11 (Deluxe)”

Best Folk Album

  • Winner: Gillian Welch and David Rawlings – “Woodland”

Best Música Urbana Album

  • Winner: Residente – “Las Letras Ya No Importan”

Best Metal Performance

  • Winner: Gojira, Marina Viotti and Victor Le Masne – “Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!)”

Best African Music Performance

  • Winner: Tems – “Love Me JeJe”

Best Rock Song

  • Winner: St. Vincent – “Broken Man”

Best Rock Album

  • Winner: The Rolling Stones – “Hackney Diamonds”

Best Alternative Music Performance

  • Winner: St. Vincent – “Flea”

Best Global Music Album

  • Winner: Matt B featuring Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – “Alkebulan II”

Best Audiobook, Narration, and Storytelling Recording

  • Winner: Jimmy Carter – “Last Sundays in the Plains: A Centennial Celebration”

Best Country Song

  • Winner: Kacey Musgraves – “The Architect”

Best Song Written for Visual Media

  • Winner: Jon Batiste – “It Never Went Away” (from American Symphony)

Best Música Mexicana Album (Including Tejano)

  • Winner: Carín León – “Boca Chueca, Vol. 1”

Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical

  • Winner: Amy Allen

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical

  • Winner: Daniel Nigro

Best Musical Theater Album

  • Winner: Hell’s Kitchen

Wizkid, Ayo Edebiri, Tems & More Nominated For the 56th NAACP Image Awards

The 56th NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) Image Award nominations have been announced, with Tems, Ayo Edebiri, Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Cynthia Erivo among the standout names being recognised this year. The awards celebrate exceptional talent across a variety of categories.

The award ceremony will be held on February 22 and will air live in a two-hour broadcast from the Pasadena Civic Center on BET and CBS. This year’s theme is Our Stories, Our Culture, Our Excellence.”

Usher and Burna Boy are nominated for “Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)” for their song Coming Home, while Wizkid has earned a nomination for his track Piece of My Heart featuring Brent Faiyaz in the “Outstanding International Song category. Tems also sees recognition in the same category for her song Love Me JeJe.”

Tyla is up for “Outstanding New Artist,” and Ayo Edebiri leads the nominations with five, including one for “Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series,” “Outstanding voiceover,” and others.

In the animated category, “Iwájú” (Disney+) has been nominated for “Outstanding Animated Series.”

See the full list of nominations below.

Entertainer of the Year Nominees 

  • Cynthia Erivo
  • Keke Palmer
  • Kendrick Lamar
  • Kevin Hart
  • Shannon Sharpe

Outstanding Social Media Personality of the Year Nominees

  • Kai Cenat
  • Keith Lee
  • RaeShanda Lias
  • Shirley Raines
  • Tony Baker

Motion Pictures Categories 

Outstanding Motion Picture

  • “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” (Sony Pictures)
  • “Bob Marley: One Love” (Paramount Pictures)
  • “The Piano Lesson” (Netflix)
  • “The Six Triple Eight” (Netflix)
  • “Wicked” (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

  • André Holland — “Exhibiting Forgiveness” (Roadside Attractions)
  • Colman Domingo — “Sing Sing” (A24)
  • John David Washington — “The Piano Lesson” (Netflix)
  • Kingsley Ben-Adir — “Bob Marley: One Love” (Paramount Pictures)
  • Martin Lawrence — “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” (Sony Pictures)

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture

  • Cynthia Erivo — “Wicked” (Universal Pictures)
  • Kerry Washington — “The Six Triple Eight” (Netflix)
  • Lashana Lynch — “Bob Marley: One Love” (Paramount Pictures)
  • Lupita Nyong’o — “A Quiet Place: Day One” (Paramount Pictures)
  • Regina King — “Shirley” (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

  • Brian Tyree Henry — “The Fire Inside” (Amazon MGM Studios)
  • Corey Hawkins — “The Piano Lesson” (Netflix)
  • David Alan Grier — “The American Society of Magical Negroes” (Focus Features)
  • Denzel Washington — “Gladiator II” (Paramount Pictures)
  • Samuel L. Jackson — “The Piano Lesson” (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

  • Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor — “Exhibiting Forgiveness” (Roadside Attractions)
  • Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor — “Nickel Boys” (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)
  • Danielle Deadwyler — “The Piano Lesson” (Netflix)
  • Ebony Obsidian — “The Six Triple Eight” (Netflix)
  • Lynn Whitfield — “Albany Road” (Faith Filmworks)

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture

  • “Albany Road” (Faith Filmworks)
  • “Exhibiting Forgiveness” (Roadside Attractions)
  • “Rob Peace” (Republic Pictures)
  • “Sing Sing” (A24)
  • “We Grown Now” (Sony Pictures Classics)

Outstanding International Motion Picture

  • “El lugar de la otra” (Netflix)
  • “Emilia Pérez” (Netflix)
  • “Memoir of a Snail” (IFC Films)
  • “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” (NEON)
  • “The Wall Street Boy, Kipkemboi” (ArtMattan Films)

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture

  • Brandon Wilson — “Nickel Boys” (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)
  • Clarence Maclin — “Sing Sing” (A24)
  • Danielle Deadwyler — “The Piano Lesson” (Netflix)
  • Ebony Obsidian — “The Six Triple Eight” (Netflix)
  • Ryan Destiny — “The Fire Inside” (Amazon MGM Studios)

Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture

  • “Bob Marley: One Love” (Paramount Pictures)
  • “The Book of Clarence” (Sony Pictures)
  • “The Piano Lesson” (Netflix)
  • “The Six Triple Eight” (Netflix)
  • “Wicked” (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Animated Motion Picture

  • “Inside Out 2” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
  • “Kung Fu Panda 4” (DreamWorks Animation)
  • “Moana 2” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
  • “Piece by Piece” (Focus Features)
  • “The Wild Robot” (DreamWorks Animation)

Outstanding Character Voiceover Performance – Motion Picture

  • Aaron Pierre — “Mufasa: The Lion King” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
  • Anika Noni Rose — “Mufasa: The Lion King” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
  • Ayo Edebiri — “Inside Out 2” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
  • Blue Ivy Carter — “Mufasa: The Lion King” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
  • Lupita Nyong’o — “The Wild Robot” (DreamWorks Animation)

Outstanding Short Form (Live Action)

  • “Chocolate with Sprinkles” (AFI)
  • “Definitely Not a Monster”
  • “If They Took Us Back”
  • “My Brother & Me” (MeowBark Films)
  • “Superman Doesn’t Steal”

Outstanding Short Form (Animated)

  • “if(fy)” (OTB/The Hidden Hand Studios)
  • “Nate & John” (Unity Animation Project, LLC)
  • “Peanut Headz: Black History Toonz ‘Jackie Robinson’” (Exhibit Treal Studios)
  • “Self” (Pixar Animation Studios)
  • “Walk in the Light” (419 Studios)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)

  • David Fortune — “Color Book” (Tribeca Studios)
  • Malcolm Washington — “The Piano Lesson” (Netflix)
  • RaMell Ross — “Nickel Boys” (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)
  • Titus Kaphar — “Exhibiting Forgiveness” (Roadside Attractions)
  • Zoë Kravitz — “Blink Twice” (Amazon MGM Studios)

Outstanding Youth Performance in a Motion Picture

  • Anthony B. Jenkins — “The Deliverance” (Netflix)
  • Blake Cameron James — “We Grown Now” (Sony Pictures Classics)
  • Jeremiah Daniels — “Color Book” (Tribeca Studios)
  • Percy Daggs IV — “Never Let Go” (Lionsgate)
  • Skylar Aleece Smith — “The Piano Lesson” (Netflix)

Outstanding Cinematography in a Motion Picture

  • Andrés Arochi — “Longlegs” (NEON)
  • Jomo Fray — “Nickel Boys” (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)
  • Justin Derry — “She Taught Love” (Andscape)
  • Lachlan Milne — “Exhibiting Forgiveness” (Roadside Attractions)
  • Rob Hardy — “The Book of Clarence” (Sony Pictures)

Television and Streaming Categories  

Outstanding Comedy Series

  • “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
  • “How to Die Alone” (Hulu)
  • “Poppa’s House” (CBS)
  • “The Neighborhood” (CBS)
  • “The Upshaws” (Netflix)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series

  • Cedric The Entertainer — “The Neighborhood” (CBS)
  • Damon Wayans — “Poppa’s House” (CBS)
  • David Alan Grier — “St. Denis Medical” (NBC)
  • Delroy Lindo — “UnPrisoned” (Hulu)
  • Mike Epps — “The Upshaws” (Netflix)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

  • Ayo Edebiri — “The Bear” (FX/Hulu)
  • Kerry Washington — “UnPrisoned” (Hulu)
  • Natasha Rothwell — “How to Die Alone” (Hulu)
  • Quinta Brunson — “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
  • Tichina Arnold — “The Neighborhood” (CBS)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

  • Damon Wayans Jr. — “Poppa’s House” (CBS)
  • Giancarlo Esposito — “The Gentlemen” (Netflix)
  • Kenan Thompson — “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
  • Tyler James Williams — “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
  • William Stanford Davis — “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

  • Danielle Pinnock — “Ghosts” (CBS)
  • Ego Nwodim — “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
  • Janelle James — “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
  • Sheryl Lee Ralph — “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
  • Wanda Sykes — “The Upshaws” (Netflix)

Outstanding Drama Series

  • “9-1-1” (ABC)
  • “Bel-Air” (Peacock)
  • “Cross” (Amazon Prime Video)
  • “Found” (NBC)
  • “Reasonable Doubt” (Hulu)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

  • Aldis Hodge — “Cross” (Amazon Prime Video)
  • Donald Glover — “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” (Amazon Prime Video)
  • Harold Perrineau — “From” (MGM+)
  • Jabari Banks — “Bel-Air” (Peacock)
  • Michael Rainey Jr. — “Power Book II: Ghost” (Starz)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

  • Angela Bassett — “9-1-1” (ABC)
  • Emayatzy Corinealdi — “Reasonable Doubt” (Hulu)
  • Queen Latifah — “The Equalizer” (CBS)
  • Shanola Hampton — “Found” (NBC)
  • Zoe Saldaña — “Lioness” (Paramount+)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

  • Adrian Holmes — “Bel-Air” (Netflix)
  • Cliff “Method Man” Smith — “Power Book II: Ghost” (Starz)
  • Isaiah Mustafa — “Cross” (Amazon Prime Video)
  • Jacob Latimore — “The Chi” (Paramount+)
  • Morris Chestnut — “Reasonable Doubt” (Hulu)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

  • Adjoa Andoh — “Bridgerton” (Netflix)
  • Coco Jones — “Bel-Air” (Peacock)
  • Golda Rosheuvel — “Bridgerton” (Netflix)
  • Lorraine Toussaint — “The Equalizer” (CBS)
  • Lynn Whitfield — “The Chi” (Paramount+)

Outstanding Limited Television (Series, Special or Movie)

  • “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” (Peacock)
  • “Genius: MLK/X” (National Geographic)
  • “Griselda” (Netflix)
  • “Rebel Ridge” (Netflix)
  • “The Madness” (Netflix)

Outstanding Actor in a Limited Television (Series, Special or Movie)

  • Aaron Pierre — “Rebel Ridge” (Netflix)
  • Colman Domingo — “The Madness” (Netflix)
  • Kelvin Harrison Jr. — “Genius: MLK/X” (National Geographic)
  • Kevin Hart — “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” (Peacock)
  • Laurence Fishburne — “Clipped” (FX/Hulu)

Outstanding Actress in a Limited Television (Series, Special or Movie)

  • Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor — “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat” (Hulu/Searchlight Pictures)
  • Naturi Naughton — “Abducted at an HBCU: A Black Girl Missing Movie” (Lifetime)
  • Sanaa Lathan — “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat” (Hulu/Searchlight Pictures)
  • Sofía Vergara — “Griselda” (Netflix)
  • Uzo Aduba — “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat” (Hulu/Searchlight Pictures)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Television (Series, Special or Movie)

  • Don Cheadle — “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” (Peacock)
  • Luke James — “Them: The Scare” (Amazon Prime Video)
  • Ron Cephas Jones — “Genius: MLK/X” (National Geographic)
  • Samuel L. Jackson — “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” (Peacock)
  • Terrence Howard — “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” (Peacock)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Television (Series, Special or Movie)

  • Brandy Norwood — “Descendants: The Rise of Red” (Disney+)
  • Jayme Lawson — “Genius: MLK/X” (National Geographic)
  • Loretta Devine — “Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted By Love” (Lifetime)
  • Sanaa Lathan — “Young. Wild. Free.” (BET+)
  • Taraji P. Henson — “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” (Peacock)

Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)

  • “Black Men’s Summit” (BET Media Group)
  • “Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.” (PBS)
  • “Laura Coates Live” (CNN)
  • “NewsNight with Abby Phillip” (CNN)
  • “The ReidOut” (MSNBC)

Outstanding Talk Series

  • “Hart to Heart” (Peacock)
  • “Sherri” (Syndicated)
  • “Tamron Hall Show” (Syndicated)
  • “The Jennifer Hudson Show” (Syndicated)
  • “The Shop” Season 7 (YouTube)

Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition or Game Show (Series)

  • “Celebrity Family Feud” (ABC)
  • “Password” (NBC)
  • “Rhythm + Flow” (Netflix)
  • “The Real Housewives of Potomac” (Bravo)
  • “Tia Mowry: My Next Act” (WeTV)

Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special)

  • “BET Awards 2024” (BET Media Group)
  • “Deon Cole: Ok, Mister” (Netflix)
  • “Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…” (Netflix)
  • “Katt Williams: Woke Foke” (Netflix)
  • “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)

Outstanding Children’s Program

  • “Craig of the Creek” (Cartoon Network)
  • “Descendants: The Rise of Red” (Disney+)
  • “Gracie’s Corner” (YouTube TV)
  • “Sesame Street” (Max)
  • “Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin” (Apple TV+)

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited Series)

  • Caleb Elijah — “Cross” (Amazon Prime Video)
  • Graceyn Hollingsworth — “Gracie’s Corner” (YouTube TV)
  • Leah Sava Jeffries — “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” (Disney+)
  • Melody Hurd — “Cross” (Amazon Prime Video)
  • TJ Mixson — “The Madness” (Netflix)

Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble

  • Abby Phillip — “NewsNight with Abby Phillip” (CNN)
  • Henry Louis Gates Jr. — “Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.” (PBS)
  • Jennifer Hudson — “The Jennifer Hudson” (Syndicated)
  • Joy Reid — “The Reidout” (MSNBC)
  • Sherri Shepherd — “Sherri” (Syndicated)

Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) –
Individual or Ensemble

  • Alfonso Ribeiro — “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC)
  • Keke Palmer — “Password” (NBC)
  • Nick Cannon — “The Masked Singer” (FOX)
  • Steve Harvey — “Celebrity Family Feud” (ABC)
  • Taraji P. Henson — “BET Awards 2024” (BET Media Group)

Outstanding Guest Performance

  • Ayo Edebiri — “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
  • Cree Summer — “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
  • Keegan-Michael Key — “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
  • Marlon Wayans — “Bel-Air” (Peacock)
  • Maya Rudolph — “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)

Outstanding Animated Series

  • “Disney Jr.’s Ariel” (Disney Jr.)
  • “Everybody Still Hates Chris” (Comedy Central)
  • “Gracie’s Corner” (YouTube TV)
  • “Iwájú” (Disney+)
  • “Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” (Disney Channel)

Outstanding Character Voiceover Performance (Television)

  • Angela Bassett — “Orion and the Dark” (Netflix)
  • Cree Summer — “Rugrats” (Nickelodeon)
  • Cree Summer — “The Legend of Vox Machina” (Amazon Prime Video)
  • Dawnn Lewis — “Star Trek: Lower Decks” (Paramount+)
  • Keke Palmer — “The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy” (Amazon Prime Video)

Outstanding Short Form Series or Special – Reality/Nonfiction/Documentary

  • “In the Margins” (PBS)
  • NCAA Basketball on CBS Sports (CBS)
  • “Roots of Resistance” (PBS)
  • “SC Featured” (ESPN)
  • “The Prince of Death Row Records “(YouTube TV)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)

  • Ayo Edebiri — “The Bear” (FX/Hulu)
  • Diarra Kilpatrick — “Diarra From Detroit” (BET+)
  • Maurice Williams — “The Madness” (Netflix)
  • Thembi L. Banks — “Young. Wild. Free.” (BET+)
  • Vince Staples — “The Vince Staples Show” (Netflix)

Recording Categories

Outstanding New Artist

  • Doechii (Capitol Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)
  • Myles Smith (RCA Records/Sony Music Entertainment)
  • Samoht (Affective Music)
  • Shaboozey (American Dogwood/Empire)
  • Tyla (Epic Records)

Outstanding Male Artist

  • Chris Brown (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
  • J. Cole (Dreamville/Interscope Records)
  • Kendrick Lamar (pgLang, under exclusive license to Interscope Records)
  • October London (Death Row Records/gamma.)
  • Usher (mega/gamma.)

Outstanding Female Artist

  • Beyoncé (Columbia Records/Parkwood Entertainment LLC)
  • Coco Jones (Def Jam Recordings)
  • Doechii (Capitol Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)
  • GloRilla (Collective Music Group/Interscope Records)
  • H.E.R. (RCA Records)

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album

  • “Heart of a Human” — DOE (Life Room Label/RCA Inspiration)
  • “Live Breathe Fight” — Tamela Mann (Tillymann Music Group)
  • “Still Karen” — Karen Clark Sheard (Karew Records/Motown Gospel)
  • “Sunny Days” — Yolanda Adams (Epic Records)
  • “The Maverick Way Reimagined” — Maverick City Music (Tribl Records)

Outstanding International Song

  • “Close” — Skip Marley (Def Jam Recordings)
  • “Hmmm” — Chris Brown feat. Davido (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
  • “Jump” — Tyla (Epic Records)
  • “Love Me JeJe” — Tems (RCA Records/Since ‘93)
  • “Piece of My Heart” — Wizkid feat. Brent Faiyaz (RCA Records/Sony Music International/Starboy Entertainment)

Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album

  • “Alright” — Victoria Monét (RCA Records/Lovett Music)
  • “Alter Ego (ALTERnate Version)” — Doechii, JT (Capitol Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)
  • “Boy Bye” — Chlöe (Columbia Records/Parkwood Entertainment LLC)
  • “Not Like Us” — Kendrick Lamar (pgLang, under exclusive license to Interscope Records)
  • “Yeah Glo!” — GloRilla (Collective Music Group/Interscope Records)

Outstanding Album

  • “Alligator Bites Never Heal” — Doechii (Epic Records)
  • “Cape Town to Cairo” — PJ Morton (Morton Records/EMPIRE)
  • “Coming Home” — USHER (mega/gamma.)
  • “Cowboy Carter” — Beyoncé (Columbia Records/Parkwood Entertainment LLC)
  • “Glorious” — GloRilla (Collective Music Group/Interscope Records)

Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album

  • “Bob Marley: One Love (Soundtrack)” (Tuff Gong/Island Records)
  • “Genius: MLK/X (Songs from the Original Series)” (Hollywood Records)
  • “Reasonable Doubt (Season 2) (Original Soundtrack)” (Hollywood Records)
  • “The Book of Clarence (The Motion Picture Soundtrack)” (Geneva Club under exclusive license to Roc Nation Records, LLC)
  • “Wicked: The Soundtrack” (Republic Records)

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song

  • “Church Doors” — Yolanda Adams (Epic Records)
  • “Do It Anyway” — Tasha Cobbs (TeeLee Records/Motown Gospel)
  • “God Problems (Not By Power)” — (Tribl Records)
  • “I Prayed for You (Said a Prayer)” MAJOR. — (NowThatsMAJOR/MNRK Music Group)
  • “Working for Me” — Tamela Mann (Tillymann Music Group)

Outstanding Jazz Album

  • “Creole Orchestra” — Etienne Charles (Culture Shock Music)
  • “Epic Cool” — Kirk Whalum (Artistry Music)
  • “Javon & Nikki Go to the Movies” — Javon Jackson and Nikki Giovanni (Solid Jackson Records)
  • “On Their Shoulders: An Organ Tribute” — Matthew Whitaker (MOCAT Records)
  • “Portrait” — Samara Joy (Verve Records)

Outstanding Soul/R&B Song

  • “16 CARRIAGES” — Beyoncé (Columbia Records/Parkwood Entertainment LLC)
  • “Here We Go (Uh Oh)” — Coco Jones (Def Jam Recordings)
  • “I Found You” — PJ Morton (Morton Records/EMPIRE)
  • “Residuals” — Chris Brown (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
  • “Saturn” — SZA (RCA Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)

Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song

  • “Mamushi” — Megan Thee Stallion feat. Yuki Chiba (Hot Girl Productions LLC/Warner Music Group)
  • “Murdergram Deux” — LL Cool J feat. Eminem (Def Jam Recordings)
  • “Noid” — Tyler, the Creator (Columbia Records)
  • “Not Like Us” — Kendrick Lamar (pgLang, under exclusive license to Interscope Records)
  • “Yeah Glo!” — GloRilla (Collective Music Group/Interscope Records)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)

  • Adam Blackstone & Fantasia — “Summertime” (BASSic Black Entertainment Records/Anderson Music Group/EMPIRE)
  • Leela James feat. Kenyon Dixon — “Watcha Done Now” (Shesangz Music, Inc. under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC)
  • Maverick City Music feat. Miles Minnick — “God Problems (Not By Power)” (Tribl Records)
  • Muni Long & Mariah Carey — “Made for Me” (Supergiant Records/Def Jam Recordings)
  • Sounds of Blackness feat. Jamecia Bennett & Buddy McLain — “Thankful” (McLain Music, LLC)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)

  • Flo & GloRilla — “In My Bag” (Island Records)
  • GloRilla feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music, Kierra Sheard, Chandler Moore — “RAIN DOWN
  • ON ME” (Collective Music Group/Interscope Records)
  • Usher & Burna Boy — “Coming Home” (mega/gamma.)
  • Victoria Monét feat. Usher — “SOS” (Sex on Sight) (RCA Records/Lovett Music)
  • Wizkid feat. Brent Faiyaz — “Piece of My Heart” (RCA Records/Lovett Music)

Outstanding Original Score for Television/Motion Picture

  • “Challengers (Original Score)” (Milan Records)
  • “Dune: Part Two (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)” (WaterTower Music)
  • “Star Wars: The Acolyte (Original Soundtrack)” (Walt Disney Records)
  • “The American Society of Magical Negroes (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)” (Back Lot Music)
  • “The Book of Clarence (Original Motion Picture Score)” (Milan Records)

Documentary Categories  

Outstanding Documentary (Film)

  • “Daughters” (Netflix)
  • “Frida” (Amazon MGM Studios)
  • “King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones” (Freestyle Digital Media)
  • “Luther: Never Too Much” (Sony Music Entertainment/Sony Music Publishing/CNN Films)
  • “The Greatest Night in Pop” (Netflix)

Outstanding Documentary (Television)

  • “Black Barbie: A Documentary” (Netflix)
  • “Black Twitter: A People’s History” (Hulu)
  • “Gospel” (PBS)
  • “Simone Biles Rising” (Netflix)
  • “Sprint” (Netflix)

Outstanding Short Form Documentary (Film)

  • “Camille A. Brown: Giant Steps” (American Masters and Firelight Media)
  • “Danielle Scott: Ancestral Call” (American Masters and Firelight Media)
  • “How to Sue the Klan”
  • “Judging Juries”
  • “Silent Killer” (Kaila Love Jones Films)

Writing Categories  

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

  • Ashley Nicole Black — “Shrinking” – “Changing Patterns” (Apple TV+)
  • Brittani Nichols — “Abbott Elementary” – “Breakup” (ABC)
  • Crystal Jenkins — “No Good Deed” – “Letters of Intent” (Netflix)
  • Diarra Kilpatrick — “Diarra From Detroit” – “Chasing Ghosts” (BET+)
  • Jordan Temple — “Abbott Elementary” – “Smoking” (ABC)

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series

  • Azia Squire — “Bridgerton” – “Tick Tock” (Netflix)
  • Ben Watkins — “Cross” – “Hero Complex” (Amazon Prime Video)
  • Francesca Sloane, Donald Glover — “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” – “First Date” (Amazon Prime Video)
  • Geetika Lizardi — “Bridgerton” – “Joining of Hands” (Netflix)
  • Lauren Gamble — “Bridgerton” – “Old Friends” (Netflix)

Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special

  • Brandon Espy, Carl Reid — “Mr. Crocket” (Hulu)
  • Bree West, Chazitear — “A Wesley South African Christmas” (BET+)
  • Juel Taylor, Tony Rettenmaier, Thembi L. Banks — “Young. Wild. Free.” (BET+)
  • Rudy Mancuso, Dan Lagana — “Música” (Amazon Prime Video)
  • Tina Mabry, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Cee Marcellus — “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat” (Hulu/Searchlight Pictures)

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture

  • Barry Jenkins — “The Fire Inside” (Amazon MGM Studios)
  • RaMell Ross, Joslyn Barnes — “Nickel Boys” (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)
  • Steve McQueen — “Blitz” (Apple Original Films)
  • Titus Kaphar — “Exhibiting Forgiveness” (Roadside Attractions)
  • Virgil Williams, Malcolm Washington — “The Piano Lesson” (Netflix)

Directing Categories  

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

  • Ayo Edebiri — “The Bear” – “Napkins” (FX/Hulu)
  • Bentley Kyle Evans — “Mind Your Business” – “The Reunion” (Bounce TV)
  • Robbie Countryman — “The Upshaws” – “Ain’t Broke” (Netflix)
  • Tiffany Johnson — “How to Die Alone” – “Trust No One” (Hulu)
  • William Smith — “The Vince Staples Show” – “Brown Family” (Netflix)

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series

  • Carl Franklin — “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” – “Blame It on the Rain” (Netflix)
  • Marta Cunningham — “Genius: MLK/X” – “Protect Us” (National Geographic)
  • Marta Cunningham — “Genius: MLK/X” – “Who We Are” (National Geographic)
  • Paris Barclay — “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” – “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” (Netflix)
  • Rapman — “Supacell” – “Supacell” (Netflix)

Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie, Documentary, or Special

  • Kelley Kali — “Kemba” (BET+)
  • Marcelo Gama — “BET Awards 2024” (BET Media Group)
  • Shanta Fripp — “Black Men’s Summit” (BET Media Group)
  • Thembi L. Banks — “Young. Wild. Free” (BET+)
  • Tina Mabry — “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can Eat” (Hulu/Searchlight Pictures)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture

  • Jeymes Samuel — “The Book of Clarence” (Sony Pictures)
  • Malcolm Washington — “The Piano Lesson” (Netflix)
  • RaMell Ross — “Nickel Boys” (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)
  • Reinaldo Marcus Green — “Bob Marley: One Love” (Paramount Pictures)
  • Steve McQueen — “Blitz” (Apple Original Films)

Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Motion Picture)

  • Bao Nguyen — “The Greatest Night in Pop” (Netflix)
  • Dawn Porter — “Luther: Never Too Much” (Sony Music Entertainment/Sony Music Publishing/CNN Films)
  • Deborah Riley Draper — “James Brown: Say It Loud” (A&E)
  • Jason Pollard, Sam Pollard — “Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys” (A&E)
  • Nneka Onuorah — “Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words” (Amazon Prime Video)

Literary Categories  

Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction

  • “A Love Song for Ricki Wilde” — Tia Williams (Grand Central Publishing – Hachette Book Group)
  • “Grown Woman” — Sarai Johnson (Harper – HarperCollins Publishers)
  • “Neighbors and Other Stories” — Diane Oliver, Tayari Jones (Foreword) (Grove Atlantic)
  • “One of Us Knows: A Thriller” — Alyssa Cole (William Morrow – HarperCollins Publishers)
  • “What You Leave Behind” — Wanda M. Morris (William Morrow – HarperCollins Publishers)

Outstanding Literary Work – Nonfiction

  • “A Passionate Mind in Relentless Pursuit: The Vision of Mary McLeod Bethune” — Noliwe Rooks (Penguin Press – Penguin Books)
  • “Love & Whiskey: The Remarkable True Story of Jack Daniel, His Master Distiller Nearest Green, and the Improbable Rise of Uncle Nearest” — Fawn Weaver (Melcher Media Inc.)
  • “Picturing Black History: Photographs and Stories that Changed the World” — Daniela Edmeier,
    Damarius Johnson, Nicholas B. Breyfogle and Steven Conn (Abrams Books – Harry N. Abrams)
  • “The 1619 Project: A Visual Experience” — Nikole Hannah-Jones and The New York Times Magazine (Clarkson Potter – Crown Publishing Group)
  • “The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America” — Larry Tye (Mariner Books – HarperCollins Publishers)

Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author

  • “A Kind of Madness” — Uche Okonkwo (Tin House Books)
  • “AfroCentric Style: A Celebration of Blackness & Identity in Pop Culture” — Shirley Neal (HarperCollins Amistad)
  • “Grown Woman” — Sarai Johnson (Harper – HarperCollins Publishers)
  • “Masquerade” — O.O. Sangoyomi (Forge Books – Tor Publishing Group)
  • “Swift River” — Essie Chambers (Simon & Schuster)

Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/Autobiography

  • “Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me” — Whoopi Goldberg (Blackstone Publishing)
  • “By the Time You Read This: The Space Between Cheslie’s Smile and Mental Illness” ― Her
    Story in Her Own Words — Cheslie Kryst and April Simpkins (Forefront Books)
  • “Do It Anyway: Don’t Give Up Before It Gets Good” — Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Sarah Jakes Roberts (Foreword) (WaterBrook – Penguin Random House)
  • “Lovely One: A Memoir” — Ketanji Brown Jackson (Random House)
  • “Medgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America” — JoyAnn Reid (Mariner Books – HarperCollins Publishers)

Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional

  • “Black Joy Playbook: 30 Days of Intentionally Reclaiming Your Delight” — Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggets (Ink & Willow – Penguin Random House)
  • “I Did a New Thing: 30 Days to Living Free (A Feeding the Soul Book)” — Tabitha Brown (William Morrow – HarperCollins Publishers)
  • “Loving Your Black Neighbor as Yourself: A Guide to Closing the Space Between Us” — Chanté Griffin (WaterBrook – Penguin Random House)
  • “Radical Self-Care: Rituals for Inner Resilience” — Rebecca Moore (Author), Amberlee Green (Illustrator) (The Quarto Group/Leaping Hare Press)
  • “Wash Day: Passing on the Legacy, Rituals, and Love of Natural Hair” — Tomesha Faxio (Clarkson Potter – Crown Publishing Group)

Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry

  • “Bluff: Poems” — Danez Smith (Graywolf Press)
  • “Good Dress” — Brittany Rogers (Tin House Books)
  • “Load in Nine Times: Poems” — Frank X Walker (Liveright Publishing – W.W. Norton & Company)
  • “Song of My Softening” — Omotara James (Alice James Books)
  • “This Is the Honey: An Anthology of Contemporary Black Poets” — Kwame Alexander (Little, Brown and Company)

Outstanding Literary Work – Children

  • “All I Need to Be” — Rachel Ricketts (Author), Tiffany Rose (Illustrator) with Luana Horry (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)
  • “Cicely Tyson” — Renée Watson (Author), Sherry Shine (Illustrator) (Amistad Books for Young Readers)
  • “Crowning Glory: A Celebration of Black Hair” — Carole Boston Weatherford (Author), Ekua Holmes (Illustrator) (Candlewick Press)
  • “My Hair Is a Book” — Maisha Oso (Author), London Ladd (Illustrator) (HarperCollins Publishers)
  • “You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!): A Lil TJ Book” — Taraji P. Henson (Author), Paul Kellam (Illustrator) (Zonderkidz – HarperCollins)

Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens

  • “American Wings: Chicago’s Pioneering Black Aviators and the Race for Equality in the Sky” —
    Sherri L. Smith and Elizabeth Wein (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers)
  • “Barracoon Adapted for Young Readers The Story of the Last Black Cargo” — Zora Neale Hurston, Ibram X. Kendi (Adapted by), Jazzmen Lee-Johnson (Illustrator) (Amistad Books for Young Readers)
  • “Black Star: The Door of No Return” — Kwame Alexander (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
  • “Brushed Between Cultures: A YA Coming of Age Novel Set in Brooklyn, New York” — Samarra St. Hilaire (Samarra St. Hilaire)
  • “Clutch Time: A Shot Clock Novel (Shot Clock, 2)” — Caron Butler and Justin A. Reynolds (HarperCollins Publishers)

Outstanding Graphic Novel

  • “Big Jim and the White Boy: An American Classic Reimagined” — David F. Walker and Marcus Kwame Anderson (Ten Speed Graphic – Penguin Random House)
  • “Black Defender: The Awakening” — Dr. David Washington, Mr. Zhengis Tasbolatov (Illustrator), Mr. Billy Blanks (Foreword) (Washington Comix)
  • “Gamerville” — Johnnie Christmas (HarperAlley – HarperCollins Publishers)
  • “Ghost Roast” — Shawneé Gibbs, Shawnelle Gibbs, Emily Cannon (Illustrator) (Versify – HarperCollins Publishers)
  • “Punk Rock Karaoke” — Bianca Xunise (Viking Books for Young Readers)

Podcast Categories  

Outstanding News and Information Podcast

  • “SundayCivics” (LJW Community Strategies)
  • “After the Uprising” (iHeartPodcasts, Double Asterisk)
  • “Into America: Uncounted Millions” (MSNBC)
  • “Native Land Pod” (iHeartPodcasts, Reasoned Choice Media)
  • “The Assignment with Audie Cornish” (CNN Audio)

Outstanding Lifestyle/Self–Help Podcast

  • “Balanced Black Girl” (Dear Media)
  • “Is This Going to Cause An Argument” (Seven14Seven Media)
  • “The R Spot with Iyanla” (Shondaland)
  • “Therapy for Black Girls” (iHeartPodcasts)
  • “We Don’t Always Agree with Ryan & Sterling” (ABF Creative & Indian Meadows Productions)

Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast

  • “Baby, This is Keke Palmer” (Wondery)
  • “Club Shay Shay” (Shay Shay Media & The Volume)
  • “Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay” (The Ringer)
  • “We Don’t Always Agree with Ryan & Sterling” (ABF Creative & Indian Meadows Productions)
  • “What Now? with Trevor Noah” (Spotify Studios in partnership with Day Zero Productions and Fulwell 73)

Outstanding Sports, Arts and Entertainment Podcast

  • “Naked Sports with Cari Champion” (The Black Effect Podcast Network)
  • “Nightcap” (Shay Shay Media & The Volume)
  • “Questlove Supreme” (iHeartPodcasts)
  • “R&B Money Podcast” (R&B Money)
  • “Two Funny Mamas” (Mocha Podcasts Network)

Outstanding Podcast – Limited Series/Short Form

  • “About the Journey” (Marriott Bonvoy, AT WILL MEDIA & mntra)
  • “Squeezed with Yvette Nicole Brown” (Lemonda Media)
  • “Stranded” (Broadway Video)
  • “The Wonder of Stevie” (Audible, Higher Ground and Pineapple Street Studios)
  • “When We Win with Maya Rupert” (Lemonada Media)

Costume Design, Make-Up and Hairstyling Categories  

Outstanding Costume Design (Television or Film)

  • Ernesto Martinez — “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” (Peacock)
  • Megan Coates — “Shirley” (Netflix)
  • Gersha Phillips — “The Big Cigar” (Apple TV+)
  • Francine Jamison-Tanchuck — “The Piano Lesson” (Netflix)
  • Paul Tazewell — “Wicked” (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Make-up (Television or Film)

  • Carol Rasheed — “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” (Peacock)
  • Debi Young — “Shirley” (Netflix)
  • Rebecca Lee — “Shōgun” (Netflix)
  • Matiki Anoff — “The Book of Clarence” (Sony Pictures)
  • Para Malden — “The Piano Lesson” (Netflix)

Outstanding Hairstyling (Television or Film)

  • Terry Hunt — “Bel-Air” (Peacock)
  • Lawrence Davis — “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” (Peacock)
  • Nakoya Yancey — “Shirley” (Netflix)
  • Brian Badie — “The Penguin” (HBO/Max)
  • Andrea Mona Bowman — “The Piano Lesson” (Netflix)

Stunt Category  

Outstanding Stunt Ensemble (TV or Film)

  • “Cross” (Amazon Prime Video)
  • “Grotesquerie” (FX/Hulu)
  • “Rebel Ridge” (Netflix)
  • “Red One” (Amazon MGM Studios)
  • “Them: The Scare” (Amazon Prime Video)

Nigerian Stars Dominate 2025 Trace Awards Nominations

The 2025 Trace Awards have been announced with an impressive lineup of African music talents. Nigerian artists lead the charge, receiving recognition across multiple categories. The awards ceremony is set to take place on February 26 in Zanzibar, accompanied by a music summit aimed at celebrating the global impact of African music.

Spotlight on Nigerian Artists

Nigerian stars, including Burna Boy, Rema, Asake, Tems, and Yemi Alade, have been nominated in various categories, highlighting the country’s influence on the global music stage.

In the Song of the Year category, tracks like Asake and Travis Scott’s collaboration, “Active,” Rema and Shallipopi’s “Benin Boys,” and Tems’ “Love Me Jeje” are among the contenders. Burna Boy’s hit “Higher” also makes the list.

Nigerian dominance continues in the Album of the Year category, with Asake’s Lungu Boy, Rema’s HEIS, and Burna Boy’s I Told Them competing against projects by Ghanaian stars such as Amaarae’s Fountain Baby, King Promise’s True to Self, and Stonebwoy’s 5th Dimension.

Key Categories and Nominations

Song of the Year

  • Tyla – “Jump” (South Africa)
  • Tyler ICU – “Mnike” (South Africa)
  • Titom & Yuppe – “Tshwala Bam” (South Africa)
  • Tamsir x Team Paiya – “Coup du Marteau” (Ivory Coast)
  • Asake & Travis Scott – “Active” (Nigeria)
  • Tems – “Love Me Jeje” (Nigeria)
  • Burna Boy – “Higher” (Nigeria)
  • Rema & Shallipopi – “Benin Boys” (Nigeria)
  • Diamond Platnumz – “Komasawa” (Tanzania)

Album of the Year

  • Burna Boy – I Told Them (Nigeria)
  • Asake – Lungu Boy (Nigeria)
  • Rema – HEIS (Nigeria)
  • Josey – Vibration Universelle (Ivory Coast)
  • Amaarae – Fountain Baby (Ghana)
  • King Promise – True to Self (Ghana)
  • Stonebwoy – 5th Dimension (Ghana)
  • Toofan – Stamina (Togo)

Top Performers in Key Categories

Best Collaboration

Nigerian artists continue to shine in collaborative projects, with highlights including:

  • Titom & Yuppe ft. Burna Boy – “Tshwala Bam (Remix)” (South Africa/Nigeria)
  • Asake & Wizkid – “MMS” (Nigeria)
  • Odumodublvck & Black Sherif – “Woto Woto Seasoning” (Nigeria/Ghana)

Best Male Artist

  • Rema (Nigeria)
  • Burna Boy (Nigeria)
  • Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
  • Wizkid (Nigeria)
  • King Promise (Ghana)

Best Female Artist

  • Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
  • Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
  • Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
  • Zuchu (Tanzania)
  • Simi (Nigeria)

Best Music Video

  • Asake – “Lonely At The Top” (Nigeria)
  • Tiwa Savage ft. Asake – “Loaded” (Nigeria)
  • Rema – “Charm” (Nigeria)

Emerging Talent and Diaspora Impact

Best New Artist

  • Shallipopi (Nigeria)
  • Spyro (Nigeria)
  • Black Sherif (Ghana)
  • Uncle Waffles (South Africa)

Best Artist (Diaspora)

  • Tems (Nigeria/USA)
  • Burna Boy (Nigeria/USA)
  • Tiwa Savage (Nigeria/UK)

Celebrating African Excellence

The 2025 Trace Awards highlight the diversity and richness of African music, with artists from Francophone, Anglophone, and Lusophone regions represented. The inclusion of a music summit promises to further elevate the platform’s role in championing African talent on the global stage.

Asake, Tems, Rema, Burna Boy, and Tyla Lead the Charge with Nominations at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards

The 2024 Billboard Music Awards are almost here, and Afrobeats is taking the spotlight. AsakeBurna BoyRemaTems, and Tyla are all competing for Top Afrobeats Artist.

Tems is nominated for Top Afrobeats Song with her track “Me & U.” She’s joined by Tyla, who makes a strong impression with three entries in the same category: “Water,” “Truth or Dare,” and “Jump,” featuring Gunna and Skillibeng.

This year’s show, hosted by actress and comedian Michelle Buteau, airs live on Fox on December 12 at 8 PM ET/PT and will also be available on Paramount+ and Fire TV Channels. It’s an exciting return to Fox, where the awards originally premiered in 1990.

Taylor Swift, the most decorated female artist in BBMA history, leads the nominations in 16 categories with 17 total entries, including Top Artist and Top Female Artist. Drake follows with eight nominations, including Top Artist and Top Billboard 200 Artist, while Kendrick Lamar has eight nods, competing for Top Rap Artist alongside Metro Boomin and Future.

In the rap categories, Nicki Minaj and GloRilla represent the women, with Nicki landing multiple nominations, including Top Rap Touring Artist. SZA has six nominations, including Top Female Artist and Top Billboard 200 Artist.

Beyoncé appears in country categories this year, with nominations for “Cowboy Carter” in Top Country Female Artist and Top Country Album. Other big names like The WeekndBrent Faiyaz, Doja Cat, and Chris Brown are also on the list.

It’s shaping up to be a night of unforgettable performances and wins. You can catch the highlights on Billboard’s website and social media pages.

Who are you rooting for this year?

See the full list of nominees across 72 categories:

ARTIST AWARDS

Top Artist

  • Zach Bryan
  • Sabrina Carpenter
  • Drake
  • Taylor Swift
  • Morgan Wallen

Top New Artist

  • Benson Boone
  • Tommy Richman
  • Chappell Roan
  • Shaboozey
  • Teddy Swims

Top Male Artist

  • Zach Bryan
  • Luke Combs
  • Drake
  • Post Malone
  • Morgan Wallen

Top Female Artist

  • Sabrina Carpenter
  • Billie Eilish
  • Chappell Roan
  • Taylor Swift
  • SZA

Top Duo/Group

  • blink-182
  • Coldplay
  • Fuerza Regida
  • Linkin Park
  • Stray Kids

Top Billboard 200 Artist

  • Zach Bryan
  • Drake
  • Taylor Swift
  • SZA
  • Morgan Wallen

Top Hot 100 Artist

  • Zach Bryan
  • Sabrina Carpenter
  • Billie Eilish
  • Taylor Swift
  • Morgan Wallen

Top Hot 100 Songwriter

  • Amy Allen
  • Jack Antonoff
  • Zach Bryan
  • Kendrick Lamar
  • Taylor Swift

Top Hot 100 Producer

  • Jack Antonoff
  • Zach Bryan
  • Daniel Nigro
  • Finneas O’Connell
  • Taylor Swift

Top Streaming Songs Artist

  • Zach Bryan
  • Sabrina Carpenter
  • Kendrick Lamar
  • Taylor Swift
  • Morgan Wallen

Top Radio Songs Artist

  • Sabrina Carpenter
  • Doja Cat
  • Taylor Swift
  • SZA
  • Morgan Wallen

Top Song Sales Artist

  • Jelly Roll
  • Jung Kook
  • Shaboozey
  • Taylor Swift
  • Teddy Swims

Top Billboard Global 200 Artist

  • Sabrina Carpenter
  • Billie Eilish
  • Ariana Grande
  • Taylor Swift
  • The Weeknd

Top Billboard Global (Excl. U.S.) Artist

  • Sabrina Carpenter
  • Billie Eilish
  • Ariana Grande
  • Taylor Swift
  • The Weeknd

Top R&B Artist

  • Brent Faiyaz
  • Tommy Richman
  • SZA
  • Tyla
  • The Weeknd

Top R&B Male Artist

  • Brent Faiyaz
  • Tommy Richman
  • The Weeknd

Top R&B Female Artist

  1. Muni Long
  2. SZA
  3. Tyla

Top R&B Touring Artist

  • Chris Brown
  • Bruno Mars
  • Usher

Top Rap Artist

  • Drake
  • Future
  • Kendrick Lamar
  • Metro Boomin
  • Travis Scott

Top Rap Male Artist

  • Drake
  • Kendrick Lamar
  • Travis Scott

Top Rap Female Artist

  • Doja Cat
  • GloRilla
  • Nicki Minaj

Top Rap Touring Artist

  • Nicki Minaj
  • Travis Scott
  • $uicideboy$

Top Country Artist

  • Zach Bryan
  • Luke Combs
  • Post Malone
  • Chris Stapleton
  • Morgan Wallen

Top Country Male Artist

  • Zach Bryan
  • Luke Combs
  • Morgan Wallen

Top Country Female Artist

  • Beyoncé
  • Megan Moroney
  • Lainey Wilson

Top Country Duo/Group

  • Zac Brown Band
  • The Red Clay Strays
  • Treaty Oak Revival

Top Country Touring Artist

  • Zach Bryan
  • Kenny Chesney
  • Luke Combs

Top Rock Artist

  • Zach Bryan
  • Hozier
  • Jelly Roll
  • Noah Kahan
  • Linkin Park

Top Rock Duo/Group

  • Good Neighbours
  • Linkin Park
  • The Red Clay Strays

Top Hard Rock Artist

  • Bad Omens
  • HARDY
  • Linkin Park

Top Rock Touring Artist

  • Coldplay
  • The Rolling Stones
  • Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

Top Latin Artist

  • Bad Bunny
  • Fuerza Regida
  • Junior H
  • KAROL G
  • Peso Pluma

Top Latin Male Artist

  • Bad Bunny
  • Junior H
  • Peso Pluma

Top Latin Female Artist

  • KAROL G
  • Shakira
  • Kali Uchis

Top Latin Duo/Group

  • Eslabon Armado
  • Fuerza Regida
  • Grupo Frontera

Top Latin Touring Artist

  • Bad Bunny
  • KAROL G
  • Luis Miguel

Top Global K-Pop Artist

  • ENHYPEN
  • Jimin
  • Jung Kook
  • Stray Kids
  • TOMORROW X TOGETHER

Top K-Pop Touring Artist

  • ENHYPEN
  • SEVENTEEN
  • TOMORROW X TOGETHER

Top Afrobeats Artist

  • Asake
  • Burna Boy
  • Rema
  • Tems
  • Tyla

Top Dance/Electronic Artist

  • Beyoncé
  • The Chainsmokers
  • Charli XCX
  • Dua Lipa
  • Calvin Harris

Top Christian Artist

  • Lauren Daigle
  • Elevation Worship
  • Forrest Frank
  • Brandon Lake
  • Anne Wilson

Top Gospel Artist

  • Kirk Franklin
  • Maverick City Music
  • Chandler Moore
  • Naomi Raine
  • CeCe Winans

ALBUM AWARDS

Top Billboard 200 Album

  • Zach Bryan, Zach Bryan
  • Drake, For All the Dogs
  • Noah Kahan, Stick Season
  • Taylor Swift, 1989 (Taylor’s Version)
  • Taylor Swift, The Tortured Poets Department

Top Soundtrack

  • Hazbin Hotel: Season One
  • Trolls: Band Together
  • Twisters: The Album
  • Wish
  • Wonka

Top R&B Album

  • Chris Brown, 11:11
  • Brent Faiyaz, Larger Than Life
  • PARTYNEXTDOOR, PARTYNEXTDOOR 4 (P4)
  • Bryson Tiller, Bryson Tiller
  • Tyla, Tyla

Top Rap Album

  • 21 Savage, american dream
  • Drake, For All the Dogs
  • Future & Metro Boomin, WE DON’T TRUST YOU
  • Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday 2
  • Rod Wave, Nostalgia

Top Country Album

  • Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter
  • Zach Bryan, The Great American Bar Scene
  • Zach Bryan, Zach Bryan
  • Chris Stapleton, Higher
  • Bailey Zimmerman, Religiously. The Album.

Top Rock Album

  • Zach Bryan, The Great American Bar Scene
  • Zach Bryan, Zach Bryan
  • Hozier, Unheard (EP)
  • Noah Kahan, Stick Season
  • Dolly Parton, Rockstar

Top Hard Rock Album

  • Bring Me The Horizon, POST HUMAN: NeX GEn
  • Falling In Reverse, Popular Monster
  • HARDY, Quit!!
  • Pearl Jam, Dark Matter
  • Sleep Token, Take Me Back to Eden

Top Latin Album

  • Bad Bunny, nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana
  • Fuerza Regida, Pa Las Baby’s Y Belikeada
  • Grupo Frontera, El Comienzo
  • Junior H, $AD BOYZ 4 LIFE II
  • KAROL G, MAÑANA SERÁ BONITO (BICHOTA SEASON)

Top K-Pop Album

  • ATEEZ, THE WORLD EP.FIN: WILL
  • Jung Kook, GOLDEN
  • Stray Kids, ROCK-STAR
  • Stray Kids, Ate: Mini Album
  • TOMORROW X TOGETHER, The Name Chapter: FREEFALL

Top Dance/Electronic Album

  • Charli XCX, BRAT
  • Jungle, Volcano
  • Odetari, XXIII SORROWS
  • Troye Sivan, Something to Give Each Other
  • John Summit, Comfort in Chaos

Top Christian Album

  • Elevation Worship, CAN YOU IMAGINE?
  • Forrest Frank, CHILD OF GOD
  • Brandon Lake, COAT OF MANY COLORS
  • Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine, The Maverick Way Complete: Complete Vol 02
  • Katy Nichole, Jesus Changed My Life

Top Gospel Album

  • Kirk Franklin, Father’s Day
  • Koryn Hawthorne, On God
  • Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine, The Maverick Way Complete: Complete Vol 02
  • CeCe Winans, More Than This
  • Naomi Raine, Cover The Earth: Live in New York

SONG AWARDS

Top Hot 100 Song

  • Benson Boone, “Beautiful Things”
  • Jack Harlow, “Lovin on Me”
  • Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen, “I Had Some Help”
  • Shaboozey, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
  • Teddy Swims, “Lose Control”

Top Streaming Song

  • Zach Bryan feat. Kacey Musgraves, “I Remember Everything”
  • Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us”
  • Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen, “I Had Some Help”
  • Shaboozey, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
  • Teddy Swims, “Lose Control”

Top Radio Song

  • Benson Boone, “Beautiful Things”
  • Jack Harlow, “Lovin on Me”
  • Tate McRae, “Greedy”
  • Taylor Swift, “Cruel Summer”
  • Teddy Swims, “Lose Control”

Top Selling Song

  • Benson Boone, “Beautiful Things”
  • Jung Kook, “Standing Next to You”
  • Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen “I Had Some Help”
  • Shaboozey “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
  • Teddy Swims “Lose Control”

Top Collaboration

  • Zach Bryan feat. Kacey Musgraves “I Remember Everything”
  • Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar “Like That”
  • Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen “I Had Some Help”
  • Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone “Fortnight”
  • Morgan Wallen feat. ERNEST “Cowgirls”

Top Billboard Global 200 Song

  • Benson Boone “Beautiful Things”
  • Sabrina Carpenter “Espresso”
  • Tate McRae “Greedy”
  • Taylor Swift “Cruel Summer”
  • Teddy Swims “Lose Control”

Top Billboard Global (Excl. U.S.) Song

  • Benson Boone “Beautiful Things”
  • Sabrina Carpenter “Espresso”
  • Tate McRae “Greedy”
  • Taylor Swift “Cruel Summer”
  • Teddy Swims “Lose Control”

Top R&B Song

  • 4batz feat. Drake “act ii: date @ 8 (remix)”
  • Muni Long “Made for Me”
  • Tommy Richman “MILLION DOLLAR BABY”
  • SZA “Saturn”
  • Tyla “Water”

Top Rap Song

  • Doja Cat “Agora Hills”
  • Doja Cat “Paint the Town Red”
  • Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar “Like That”
  • Jack Harlow “Lovin on Me”
  • Kendrick Lamar “Not Like Us”

Top Country Song

  • Zach Bryan feat. Kacey Musgraves “I Remember Everything”
  • Dasha “Austin”
  • Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen “I Had Some Help”
  • Shaboozey “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
  • Morgan Wallen “Thinkin’ Bout Me”

Top Rock Song

  • Zach Bryan “Pink Skies”
  • Zach Bryan feat. Kacey Musgraves “I Remember Everything”
  • Djo “End of Beginning”
  • Hozier “Too Sweet”
  • Noah Kahan “Stick Season”

Top Hard Rock Song

  • Falling In Reverse feat. Jelly Roll “All My Life”
  • Falling In Reverse, Tech N9ne & Alex Terrible “Ronald”
  • HARDY “Psycho”
  • Linkin Park “The Emptiness Machine”
  • Superheaven “Youngest Daughter”

Top Latin Song

  • Bad Bunny “MONACO”
  • Bad Bunny & Feid “PERRO NEGRO”
  • FloyyMenor & Cris MJ “Gata Only”
  • KAROL G & Peso Pluma “QLONA”
  • Xavi “La Diabla”

Top Global K-Pop Song

  • ILLIT “Magnetic”
  • Jimin “Who”
  • Jung Kook “Standing Next to You”
  • Jung Kook feat. Jack Harlow “3D”
  • LE SSERAFIM “Perfect Night”

Top Afrobeats Song

  • Adam Port & Stryv feat. Malachiii “Move”
  • Tems “Me & U”
  • Tyla “Truth or Dare”
  • Tyla “Water”
  • Tyla, Gunna & Skillibeng “Jump”

Top Dance/Electronic Song

  • Dua Lipa “Houdini”
  • Dua Lipa “Illusion”
  • Kenya Grace “Strangers”
  • Ariana Grande “yes, and?”
  • Marshmello & Kane Brown “Miles on It”

Top Christian Song

  • Elevation Worship feat. Brandon Lake, Chris Brown & Chandler Moore “Praise”
  • Forrest Frank “GOOD DAY”
  • Josiah Queen “The Prodigal”
  • Seph Schlueter “Counting My Blessings”
  • Tauren Wells with We The Kingdom & Davies “Take It All Back”

Top Gospel Song

  • Koryn Hawthorne “Look at God”
  • Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine “God Problems”
  • Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine ft. Tasha Cobbs Leonard “In the Room”
  • Victor Thompson X Gunna feat. Ehis ‘D’ Greatest “THIS YEAR (Blessings)”
  • CeCe Winans “That’s My King”