The 2025 BET Awards delivered a vibrant celebration of Black excellence, marked by historic wins, emotional tributes, and the energy of a show deeply rooted in culture and artistry. Hosted by Kevin Hart at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, this milestone 25th anniversary edition honored the very best in music, film, television, and sports, despite the backdrop of ongoing citywide protests that prompted heightened security. That tension, however, didn’t overshadow the night’s shining moments.
Kendrick Lamar emerged as the evening’s dominant force, taking home four of his ten nominations including Album of the Year for GNX, Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Best Collaboration for Luther with SZA, and Video of the Year for Not Like Us. With each win, Kendrick’s presence loomed large over a night that celebrated both new voices and cultural mainstays. SZA also made an impact, winning Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, while her joint win with Kendrick in the collaboration category underscored the duo’s powerful creative synergy.
Doechii marked a major career milestone with her first BET Award win, taking home Best Female Hip Hop Artist, a significant nod to her genre-pushing work on Alligator Bites Never Heal. Rising star Leon Thomas earned Best New Artist, reinforcing the awards’ attention to the next wave of talent. GloRilla’s emotional win for Glorious gave her first BET trophy as well, setting the tone for a promising future.
In a night also dedicated to honoring legacies, icons like Snoop Dogg, Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, and Kirk Franklin received the Ultimate Icon Award, celebrating their lasting contributions across entertainment and culture. Chris Brown won Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, continuing his streak of awards-show dominance, while Future & Metro Boomin were named Best Group, further solidifying their creative chemistry.
Video Director of the Year went to Dave Free and Kendrick Lamar, cementing Kendrick’s full-spectrum influence from audio to visual storytelling. In total, the night proved a sweeping celebration of bold voices, impactful stories, and transformative art, with the BET Awards once again serving as a vital platform for Black talent on every level.