A Night of Celebration: BET Awards Honors Black Excellence Across Entertainment

The BET Awards once again proved why it remains the premier celebration of Black culture and achievement, delivering an unforgettable evening that honored excellence across music, television, film, and sports in more than 20 categories. From show-stopping performances to heartfelt tributes, the ceremony showcased the breadth and depth of Black talent shaping contemporary entertainment.

Kevin Hart Sets the Stage

Comedian Kevin Hart opened the show with his signature blend of humor and heart, delivering a monologue that perfectly balanced comedy with meaningful reflection. Hart’s hosting set the tone for an evening that would seamlessly weave together celebration, remembrance, and forward-looking optimism.

A Historic Announcement

In a moment that bridged past and present, BET made a significant announcement during the 25th anniversary celebration of the iconic *106 & Park*. The network revealed plans for *106 & Sports*, a new show that will combine the energy of the beloved music countdown with sports coverage. The program will be helmed by an exciting duo: NFL MVP and rising media personality Cam Newton, paired with acclaimed sports journalist Ashley Nicole Moss.

Musical Highlights and Rising Stars

The night’s musical performances showcased both established artists and emerging talent. Leon Thomas delivered a standout moment with his rock-infused performance of “Mutt,” demonstrating the genre-blending approach that earned him the evening’s Best New Artist award. His ability to seamlessly merge R&B sensibilities with rock energy exemplified the innovative spirit driving today’s music scene.

Veteran rapper Lil Wayne reminded everyone why he remains a force in hip-hop with an electric performance of his classic “A Milli,” while the evening’s rap cypher, hosted by Big Tigger, brought together Kid Capri, Ludacris, and Kevin Hart (in his Chocolate Droppa persona) for an energetic celebration of hip-hop culture.

Contemporary collaborations also took center stage, as Keyshia Cole joined GloRilla for their new track “Typa,” which cleverly samples Cole’s R&B classic “Love,” creating a bridge between generations of Black music.

Powerful Tributes and Remembrance

Perhaps the most moving segment of the evening was the in memoriam tribute, which honored the legacies of several influential figures. Lucky Daye, Luke James, and Michael Canton delivered a powerful performance paying respect to Wanda Sims, Frankie Beverly, Nikki Giovanni, Quincy Jones, and Cissy Houston. The tribute continued with Brittney Spencer honoring Angie Stone through a stirring rendition of “No More Rain,” while Andra Day’s moving performance of “Killing Me Softly” celebrated the enduring legacy of Roberta Flack.

Triumphant Returns and New Beginnings

The ceremony marked several significant comebacks, most notably Teyana Taylor’s return to music. Joined by Taraji P. Henson, Taylor delivered an electrifying performance of her new singles “Fire Girl” and “Long Time” from her highly anticipated upcoming album, proving that her musical hiatus only intensified her artistic fire.

Tyler Perry, a consistent champion of Black storytelling, introduced Ledisi for a performance of “BLKWMN” that served as both entertainment and cultural statement, highlighting the power of narrative in shaping representation and identity.

Spotlight on Emerging Talent

The BET Amplified stage provided a platform for rising artists, featuring Ravyn Lenae’s performance of “Love Me Not” and Elmiene’s rendition of “Tears.” These moments underscored BET’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of Black artists.

A Star-Studded Ensemble

The evening’s presenters read like a who’s who of Black entertainment, including Quinta Brunson, Kerry Washington, Keke Palmer, Stevie Wonder, Ciara, Tyler Perry, Busta Rhymes, and many others. This diverse group represented the full spectrum of Black excellence across entertainment, from comedy and drama to music and sports.

Looking Forward

This year’s BET Awards succeeded in its dual mission: celebrating current achievements while honoring the foundations laid by previous generations. The announcement of *106 & Sports*, the recognition of emerging artists like Leon Thomas, and the platform given to both established and rising performers all point to a bright future for Black entertainment.

As the evening concluded, it was clear that the BET Awards remains more than an awards show—it’s a cultural moment that affirms the ongoing impact of Black creativity, resilience, and excellence across all forms of entertainment. The night served as both celebration and inspiration, reminding audiences of how far the community has come while highlighting the limitless potential that lies ahead.

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Back Stage

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BET Awards 2025: Complete Winners List – Kendrick Lamar Dominates with Five Wins

The 2025 BET Awards delivered an unforgettable night of celebration, honoring the biggest names and breakthrough talents in Black entertainment. Held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 9, 2025, the ceremony marked its 25th anniversary with Kevin Hart returning as host for what’s known as “culture’s biggest night.”

Kendrick Lamar’s Dominant Night

Kendrick Lamar entered as the top nominee with 10 nominations and left as the night’s biggest winner, taking home five awards. The Compton rapper’s victories included some of the most prestigious categories, cementing his status as one of hip-hop’s most celebrated artists.

Lamar’s wins included Album of the Year for “GNX,” Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Video of the Year for the viral smash “Not Like Us,” and Best Collaboration alongside SZA for their track “Luther”. He also shared the Video Director of the Year award with Dave Free for their collaborative work.

Music Category Winners

Hip Hop Excellence

The hip-hop categories showcased both established legends and rising stars. Alongside Lamar’s Best Male Hip Hop Artist win, Doechii took home Best Female Hip Hop Artist, highlighting the genre’s continued evolution and the prominence of female voices in the space.

R&B and Pop Recognition

SZA claimed Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, while Chris Brown secured Best Male R&B/Pop Artist. Leon Thomas earned Best New Artist recognition after years of behind-the-scenes work, finally receiving the spotlight he deserved.

Collaborative Success

Future & Metro Boomin were recognized as Best Group, reflecting their successful collaborative partnership that has dominated the charts.

International Recognition

The awards celebrated global talent with Ayra Starr from Nigeria winning Best International Act. The Best New International Act category recognized emerging talent from multiple continents, with TXC from South Africa and Ajuliacosta from Brazil sharing the honor.

Gospel and Inspirational Music Controversy

The Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award generated significant controversy when GloRilla won for “Rain Down on Me” featuring Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music. Many gospel singers and outlets expressed frustration that the award wasn’t won by a traditional gospel act, with gospel singer Deitrick Haddon notably voicing his concerns.

Film and Television Honors

The entertainment categories recognized excellence across multiple mediums. “Luther: Never Too Much” won Best Movie, while Cynthia Erivo and Denzel Washington took home Best Actress and Best Actor respectively. Blue Ivy Carter, continuing her family’s legacy of excellence, received the YoungStars Award.

Sports Excellence

The sports categories highlighted athletic achievement across different disciplines. Angel Reese earned Sportswoman of the Year for her basketball accomplishments, while Jalen Hurts was named Sportsman of the Year for his football achievements.

Special Recognition and Global Impact

Summer Walker received the BET HER Award for “Heart of a Woman,” while Chris Brown’s “Residuals” won the Viewer’s Choice Award. The Global Good Award went to Mentivity from the United Kingdom, recognizing international efforts in social impact and community development.

Looking Forward

The 2025 BET Awards demonstrated the continued vitality and diversity of Black entertainment, from hip-hop’s lyrical storytelling to R&B’s emotional depth, from breakthrough international acts to established legends. With record-setting performances from artists like Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and Chris Brown, the ceremony reinforced the BET Awards’ position as a premier celebration of Black culture and artistic achievement.

As the awards continue to evolve and expand their global reach, the 2025 ceremony will be remembered as a night that honored both tradition and innovation, celebrating the past while looking toward the future of Black entertainment.

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Complete Winners List

**ALBUM OF THE YEAR**  

“GNX” – Kendrick Lamar

**BEST COLLABORATION**  

“LUTHER” – Kendrick Lamar & SZA

**BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST**  

SZA

**BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST**  

Chris Brown

**BEST NEW ARTIST**  

Leon Thomas

**BEST GROUP**  

Future & Metro Boomin

**BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST**  

Doechii

**BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST**  

Kendrick Lamar

**DR. BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD**  

“Rain Down on Me” – GloRilla feat. Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music

**BET HER AWARD**  

“Heart of a Woman” – Summer Walker

**VIDEO OF THE YEAR**  

“Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar

**VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR**  

Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar

**BEST MOVIE**  

“Luther: Never Too Much”

**BEST ACTRESS**  

Cynthia Erivo

**BEST ACTOR**  

Denzel Washington

**YOUNGSTARS AWARD**  

Blue Ivy Carter

**SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR**  

Angel Reese – Basketball

**SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR**  

Jalen Hurts – Football

**VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD**  

“Residuals” – Chris Brown

**BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT**  

Ayra Starr (Nigeria)

**BEST NEW INTERNATIONAL ACT**  

TXC (South Africa)  

Ajuliacosta (Brazil)

**GLOBAL GOOD AWARD**  

Mentivity (United Kingdom)