BET Awards proves its staying power with 25th year 

BET celebrated a trio of milestones on Monday, June 9, with a star-studded production: 45 years as a network, 25 years of the BET Awards, and 25 years of 106 & Park.

Dubbed “Culture’s Biggest Night,” the event kicked off with a two-hour Red Carpet Live pre-show, hosted by Terrence J, Pretty Vee, LaToya Luckett, Jacob Lattimore, Mouse Jones, and Jessie Woo. The pre-show featured performances by emerging artists like Jordan Adetunji, Spice, Rob49, Gelo, 803Fresh of “Where Dem Fans At?” fame, and Honey Bxby, among others.

The celebration also paid tribute to 106 & Park legends, with performances by Shop Boyz (“Party Like a Rockstar”), Mario, the Ying Yang Twins, and Lil’ Kim. Terrence J revived the beloved Freestyle Friday segment, adding a nostalgic flair for longtime fans.

The red carpet was filled with familiar faces. Ms. Pat, Kandi Burruss (who recalled her first interview with Xscape on Teen Summit), Tisha Campbell, T.I. and Tiny, and 2 Chainz—who premiered his new video “Not the Same”—were all in attendance.

The main show, hosted by Kevin Hart, opened with his signature humor and cultural commentary. He paid tribute to BET’s legacy in shaping his early career and warned the crowd about post-award afterparties, slyly referencing the legal consequences of past Bad Boy events. His monologue humorously name-dropped celebrity government names and hinted at revoking Kanye West’s invite, citing lessons from Sinners.

The show’s production traced the history of the BET Awards, beginning with a recreation of the 106 & Park set from the year 2000. The opening performance montage was a Millennial’s dream: Ashanti (the first woman to have her video retired on 106) performed “Happy,” “Rock Wit U,” and “Foolish.” She was followed by Jim Jones (“Ballin’”), Amerie (“1 Thing”), Keyshia Cole (“I Should Have Cheated”), Mya (“Case of the Ex”), T.I. (“Bring Em Out,” “What You Know”), B2K (“Bump, Bump, Bump”), and Mr. 106 & Park himself, Bow Wow, who was joined by Jermaine Dupri.

BET also announced upcoming programming, including a new show called 106 & Sports, hosted by Cam Newton, and the return of Real Husbands of Hollywood.

Kendrick Lamar led the nominations for the second year in a row with 10 nods, taking home five wins, including Album of the Year and Video of the Year. Other major winners included Leon Thomas (Best New Artist) and Doechii (Best Female Hip Hop Artist), who used her speech to speak against violence targeting peaceful protests in Los Angeles: “There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order… I feel it is my responsibility as an artist to use this moment to speak up for all oppressed people.”

Performances throughout the night featured Leon Thomas, Lil Wayne, GloRilla, Teyana Taylor, Ledisi, and Playboi Carti.

Four major artists were honored with the Ultimate Icon Award: Jamie Foxx, Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, and Kirk Franklin.

Jamie Foxx received emotional tributes, with Stevie Wonder joking, “Just because he played a blind man doesn’t mean we’d be best friends,” before adding that he spent hours editing a tribute video. Craig Robinson narrated Jamie’s life story as Babyface and Ludacris opened with “Unpredictable.” Tank and Jennifer Hudson followed with powerhouse renditions of “I Got a Woman” and “Night & Day.” Doug E. Fresh, Teddy Riley, and T-Pain closed the set with a lively “Blame It” tribute.

Holding back tears, Foxx led a “God is good” call-and-response with the crowd. He added, “When I saw the In Memoriam, I thought—that could’ve been me… I don’t know why I went through what I went through, but I know my second chance, I’m not going to turn down.”

Mariah Carey was also honored. Earlier in the night  DJ D-Nice spun her classics before she took the stage with Rakim to perform her new single “Type Dangerous.” During her tribute, Busta Rhymes described her as “Royal empress, queen, icon, Ms. Uneffwithable, Ms. Uncompetewithable, Ms. Unconquerable…” Carey, in awe, noted, “This is actually my first BET Award. And if you’re going to get one, you might as well start with the Ultimate Icon.”

Dr. Dre presented the Ultimate Icon Award to Snoop Dogg who addressed the other awardees with heartfelt thanks. He also expressed, “Shout out to the teachers who taught me how to read and write because that’s very important. Shoutout to all the MCs that I battled along the way.” He also gave shouts out to Dr. Dre, Warren G, Nate Dogg, Master P, Charlie Wilson, and family members before he performed some of his greatest hits with special guests Charlie Wilson, Kurupt, Warren G . 

The night ended with a bang. After a spirited medley of hits, Kirk Franklin closed the night out with “Stomp,” featuring Salt from Salt and Pepa, after receiving his Ultimate Icon Award from T.I.

Other highlights included Big Tigger reviving Rap City with freestyles from Ludacris and Kevin Hart’s alter ego, Chocolate Droppa. The In Memoriam segment honored Quincy Jones, Roberta Flack and Angie Stone, featuring “Secret Garden” performed by Lucky Daye, Miles Caton, and Luke James, “Killing Me Softly” sung by Andra Day, and “No More Rain” performed by Brittney Spencer.

The BET Amplified stage showcased emerging artists including Ravyn Lenae and Elmiene.

The full list of winners (displayed in bold) is listed below:

Album of the Year

This award was presented by Keke Palmer. 

$ome $exy $ongs 4 U — Drake & Partynextdoor
11:11 Deluxe — Chris Brown
Alligator Bites Never Heal — Doechii
Cowboy Carter — Beyoncé
Glorious — GloRilla
GNX — Kendrick Lamar — WINNER
Hurry Up Tomorrow — The Weeknd
We Don’t Trust You — Future & Metro Boomin

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

This award was presented by Crystal Renee Hayslett from Tyler Perry’s Zatima. 

Ari Lennox
Ayra Starr
Coco Jones
Kehlani
Muni Long
Summer Walker
SZA — WINNER
Victoria Monét

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

Bruno Mars
Chris Brown — WINNER
Drake
Fridayy
Leon Thomas
Teddy Swims
The Weeknd
Usher

Best Group

41
Common & Pete Rock
Drake & Partynextdoor
Flo
Future & Metro Boomin — WINNER
Jacquees & Dej Loaf
Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist
Maverick City Music

Best Collaboration

“30 For 30” — SZA feat. Kendrick Lamar
“Alter Ego” — Doechii feat. JT
“Are You Even Real” — Teddy Swims feat. Givēon
“Beckham” — Dee Billz feat. Kyle Richh, Kai Swervo, KJ Swervo
Bless — Lil Wayne, Wheezy & Young Thug
“Like That” — Future & Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar
“Luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA — WINNER
“Sticky” — Tyler, The Creator feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne
“Timeless” — The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti

Best Female Hip Hop Artist

This award was presented by Quinta Brunson and Tyler James Williams from Abbott Elementary who reminisced about BET shows from their adolescence, including Hell Date and Cita’s World.  

Cardi B
Doechii — WINNER
Doja Cat
GloRilla
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Rapsody
Sexyy Red

Best Male Hip Hop Artist

BigXthaPlug
Bossman DLow
Burna Boy
Drake
Future
Kendrick Lamar — WINNER
Key Glock
Lil Wayne
Tyler, The Creator

Video of the Year

“3AM in Tokeyo” — Key Glock
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” — Shaboozey
“After Hours” — Kehlani
“Denial Is a River” — Doechii
“Family Matters” — Drake
“Not Like Us” — Kendrick Lamar — WINNER
“Timeless” — The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti
“Type Shit” — Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Playboi Carti

Video Director of the Year

Anderson .Paak
B Pace Productions & Jacquees
Benny Boom
Cactus Jack
Cole Bennett
Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar — WINNER
Dave Meyers
Foggieraw
Tyler, The Creator

Best New Artist

This award was presented by comedian Deon Cole and actress Dominique Thorne (Marvel’s Ironheart series). 

41
Ayra Starr
BigXthaPlug
BossMan Dlow
Dee Billz
Leon Thomas — WINNER
October London
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award

This award was presented by DeVon Franklin, Lala Anthony, and LeToya Luckett. 

“A God (There Is)” — Common & Pete Rock feat. Jennifer Hudson
“Amen” — Pastor Mike Jr.
“Better Days” — Fridayy
“Church Doors” — Yolanda Adams feat. Sir The Baptist & Donald Lawrence (Terry Hunter Remix)
“Constant” — Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore & Anthony Gargiula
“Deserve to Win” — Tamela Mann
“Faith” — Rapsody
“Rain Down on Me” — GloRilla feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music — WINNER

Viewer’s Choice Award

This award was presented by DC Young Fly. 

“Residuals” — Chris Brown — WINNER
“Denial Is a River” — Doechii
“Nokia” — Drake
“Like That” — Future & Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar
“TGIF” — GloRilla
“Not Like Us” — Kendrick Lamar
“Luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA
“Brokey” — Latto

Best International Act

Any Gabrielly (Brazil)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Basky (UK)
Black Sherif (Ghana)
Ezra Collective (UK)
Joé Dwèt Filé (France)
MC Luanna (Brazil)
Rema (Nigeria)
SDM (France)
Tyla (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)
Best New International Act
Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
Ajulicosta (Brazil)
Amabbi (Brazil)
Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
Dr Yaro (France)
KWN (UK)
Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa)
Merveille (France)
Odeal (UK)
Shallipopi (Nigeria)
TxC (South Africa)

BET Her

This award was presented by Terrance J. 

“Beautiful People” — Mary J. Blige
“Blackbiird” — Beyonce feat. Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy & Reyna Roberts
“Bloom” — Doechii
“Burning” — Tems
“Defying Gravity” — Cynthia Erivo feat. Ariana Grande
“Heart of a Woman” — Summer Walker — WINNER“Hold On” — Tems
“In My Bag” — Flo & GloRilla

Best Movie

Bad Boys: Ride or Die
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
Luther: Never Too Much — WINNER
Mufasa: The Lion King
One of Them Days
Rebel Ridge
The Piano Lesson
The Six Triple Eight

Best Actor

Aaron Pierce
Aldis Hodge
Anthony Mackie
Colman Domingo
Denzel Washington — WINNER
Jamie Foxx
Joey Bada$$
Kevin Hart
Sterling K. Brown
Will Smith

Best Actress

Andra Day
Angela Bassett
Coco Jones
Cynthia Erivo — WINNER
Keke Palmer
Kerry Washington
Quinta Brunson
Viola Davis
Zendaya

Young Stars Award

Akira Akbar
Blue Ivy Carter — WINNER
Graceyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth
Heiress Harris
Melody Hurd
Thaddeus J. Mixson
Tyrik Johnson
VanVan

Sportswoman of the Year Award

A’ja Wilson
Angel Reese — WINNER
Claressa Shields
Coco Gauff
Dawn Staley
Flau’jae Johnson
Juju Watkins
Sha’Carri Richardson
Simone Biles

Sportsman of the Year

Aaron Judge
Anthony Edwards
Deion Sanders
Jalen Hurts — WINNER Jayson Tatum
LeBron James
Saquon Barkley
Stephen Curry