Ghana’s Music Star Shines on the Global Stage
Black Sherif, the breakout star behind the global hit “Kwaku the Traveller”, has earned a prestigious nomination at the 2025 BET Awards for Best International Act, placing Ghana’s flag firmly on the world stage once again.
This nomination represents a massive career milestone for the artist born Mohammed Ismail Sherif, and further establishes his status as one of Africa’s brightest music exports.
Competing With the World’s Finest
Black Sherif is in good company in the international category. The 2025 lineup of nominees includes chart-topping stars from around the globe:
- Ayra Starr and Rema—Afrobeats giants from Nigeria
- Tyla—South Africa’s Grammy-winning pop-R&B sensation
- Uncle Waffles—Swaziland’s rising amapiano DJ and performer
- Ezra Collective, Basky (UK)
- Any Gabrielly, MC Luanna (Brazil)
- Joé Dwèt Filé, SDM (France)
The BET Awards, widely regarded as one of the biggest nights in Black entertainment, continue to honor top talent across music, film, sports, and culture.
Kevin Hart to Host 25th BET Awards in Los Angeles
The 25th BET Awards will be hosted by acclaimed comedian Kevin Hart and will be broadcast live on June 9, 2025, from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
This year’s event is especially significant, marking a quarter-century of celebrating Black excellence.
Leading the nominations overall is Kendrick Lamar, with 10 nods, including Album of the Year and Video of the Year, highlighting the continued dominance of global hip-hop in music culture.
A Ghanaian Legacy in the Making
For Black Sherif, this BET nomination is more than just personal—it’s a symbolic victory for Ghanaian music. After winning Artist of the Year at the 2023 TGMA, his rise from Konongo to international acclaim has inspired a new wave of artists across the continent.
From local cyphers to international stages, Black Sherif’s story is a modern-day Ghanaian success tale.
His nomination follows in the footsteps of previous Ghanaian nominees like Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, and Manifest, and continues to spotlight Ghana’s growing influence on global music.
BET’s Best New International Act: Fresh Faces to Watch
In addition to Best International Act, BET also unveiled nominees for Best New International Act, featuring:
- Shallipopi (Nigeria)
- Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
- Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
- And other fresh talents from Brazil, the UK, and France
These nominations show BET’s ongoing commitment to showcasing rising stars from around the world and elevating their global reach.
Black Sherif’s Journey is Just Beginning
From the streets of Konongo Zongo to the BET Awards red carpet, Black Sherif’s rise has been a blend of raw talent, relentless drive, and cultural authenticity.
As the countdown to the 2025 BET Awards begins, Ghanaian fans and African music lovers around the world will be cheering for Blacko, a young man who turned his pain and passion into poetry that now resonates globally.