Davido Missing as Burna Boy, Asake Dominate MTV VMAs 2025 Nominations
- Afrobeats stars Burna Boy and Asake scored two nominations each at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards
- There were also rooms for other Afrobeats stars like Tems, Wizkid, Rema, and Tyla as they received one nod apiece
- However, music star Davido’s absence from the nominee list raised questions among fans and critics
The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards nominees list has been released, and while some of Nigeria’s biggest stars are celebrating international recognition, music star Davido is strangely missing.
Afrobeats giants Burna Boy and Asake are leading the African representation this year with two nominations each, cementing their status as the genre’s current frontrunners on the world stage.
The 2025 edition of the awards will take place on September 7 at the USB Arena in New York, USA.
Burna Boy’s soul-stirring visual for ‘Higher’ landed him a nomination in the Video For Good category, a space reserved for socially impactful music videos.
Source: Instagram
He also features in the Best Afrobeats category with ‘Tatata’, his collaboration with American rapper Travis Scott.
Asake, on the other hand, grabbed both of his nominations in the Best Afrobeats category. One for ‘Active’, also featuring Travis Scott, and another for ‘Get It Right’, his duet with Tems.
The dual nominations mark a big moment for both artists, who continue to break ground in the global Afrobeats scene.
Aside from Burna and Asake, the Best Afrobeats category features a strong lineup of African stars: Tems, Rema, Wizkid, Moliy, and Tyla
Each received a nomination for standout songs in the past year.
Meanwhile, Ayra Starr was recognized in a different category — MTV PUSH Performance of the Year — for her emotional track ‘Last Heartbreak Song’, further proving that the new wave of Nigerian talent is gaining serious momentum.
Lady Gaga leads the pack
While Afrobeats continues to enjoy a place at the table, it was American pop icon Lady Gaga who topped the list with 12 nominations, including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Video of the Year.
Source: Instagram
See a post on the award:
Netizens react to MTV VMA nominations
Many fans took to social media to express disappointment that Davido didn’t receive any nod, especially after his Grammy-nominated album Timeless and a strong run of global performances this year.
@itsJade__:
“How do you drop Timeless, get Grammy love, and still not show up at the VMAs?”
@AfrobeatsFan_:
“I’m happy for Burna and Asake but Davido deserves a spot too. He put in the work.”
@DejiWrote:
“Davido gave us one of the best Afrobeats albums in 2023. MTV wetin happen?”
Gov Adeleke lands in US for Davido's wedding
Legit.ng earlier reported that Davido and his wife Chioma would be having their white wedding this weekend in the United States of America
Ahead of the event, the singer's uncle and governor of Osun state, Ademola Adeleke jetted out to the US on Tuesday, August 5.
Recall that the duo had their traditional wedding in June 2025 and are now set to tie the knot the white way this weekend.
Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
