The 25th Annual BET Awards: A Night of Triumphs and Tributes
The 25th BET Awards, held on June 9, 2025, at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater, celebrated Black excellence in music, film, and culture. Hosted by comedian Kevin Hart, the evening was marked by standout performances, heartfelt tributes, and significant award wins.
Kendrick Lamar Dominates the Night
Kendrick Lamar emerged as the evening’s most decorated artist, securing five awards from his ten nominations. His accolades included Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Album of the Year for "GNX," and Video of the Year for "Not Like Us." Lamar also shared the Video Director of the Year award with Dave Free. In his acceptance speech, Lamar expressed gratitude, stating, "BET has always made sure they’re representing the culture right and always put me in the midst of the cycle of what we represent." (reuters.com)
SZA’s Continued Ascendancy
SZA continued her rise in the R&B scene, winning Best Female R&B/Pop Artist and Best Collaboration for "Luther," her duet with Kendrick Lamar. These awards underscore her growing influence and the critical acclaim of her recent work. (los40.com)
Doechii’s Bold Statement
Rising star Doechii was honored as Best Female Hip Hop Artist. In her acceptance speech, she addressed the government’s military response to protests, urging the audience to reflect on the state of democracy. She stated, "I want y’all to consider what kind of government it appears to be, when every time we exercise our democratic rights to protest, the military is … ." (reuters.com)
Tributes and Iconic Performances
The ceremony featured a heartfelt tribute to Roberta Flack, with Andra Day delivering a stirring rendition of "Killing Me Softly With His Song." This performance honored Flack’s enduring legacy in the music industry. (los40.com)
Additionally, the BET Ultimate Icon Award was presented to Mariah Carey, Jamie Fox … , Snoop Dogg, and Kirk Franklin for their significant contributions to music and culture. Foxx, reflecting on his recovery from a stroke in 2023, shared, "I gotta be honest, when I … ‘." (reuters.com)
Complete List of Winners
- Album of the Year: "GNX" – Kendrick Lamar
- Best Male Hip Hop Artist: Kendrick Lamar
- Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Doechii
- Best Male R&B/Pop Artist: Chris Brown
- Best Female R&B/Pop Artist: SZA
- Best Collaboration: "Luther" – Kendrick Lamar & SZA
- Video of the Year: "Not Like Us" – Kendrick Lamar
- Video Director of the Year: Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
- Best New Artist: Leon Thomas III
- Best Group: Future & Metro Boomin
- BET Her Award: "Heart of a Woman" – Summer Walker
- Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award: "Rain Down on Me" – GloRilla featuring Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music
- Best Movie: "Luther: Never Too Much"
- Best Actor: Denzel Washington
- Best Actress: Cynthia Erivo
- YoungStars Award: Blue Ivy Carter
- Sportswoman of the Year: Angel Reese
- Sportsman of the Year: Jalen Hurts
- Best International Act: Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
- Best New International Act: Ajuliacosta (Brazil)
- Ultimate Icon Award: Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg, Kirk Franklin
The 2025 BET Awards not only celebrated artistic achievements but also served as a platform for social commentary and reflection, highlighting the ongoing evolution and impact of Black culture in the entertainment industry.