*The 2025 BET Awards, held in Los Angeles on June 9 and hosted by Kevin Hart, celebrated Black excellence in music, acting, and sports, with Kendrick Lamar emerging as the night’s biggest winner. The rapper secured five of his ten nominations, including best album for “GNX,” best video for “Not Like Us,” and best male hip-hop artist.
Lamar, alongside filmmaker Dave Free, also clinched the video director of the year award. Reflecting on the honor, Lamar stated, “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.” His dominance echoed last year’s BET Hip-Hop Awards, where he won eight of eleven nominations.
Doechii was named Best Female Hip-Hop Artist and used her platform to address political unrest in Los Angeles. She condemned President Donald Trump’s response to protests following recent ICE raids in Latino neighborhoods. “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 deployed against us,” she stated.
In a moment of celebration for lifetime achievements, the Ultimate Icon Awards were presented to Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Kirk Franklin, and Jamie Foxx. Foxx, who was presented his award by Stevie Wonder, reflected on his health struggles after a stroke in 2023. “I gotta be honest, when I saw the in memoriam [segment], I was like, ‘Man, that could have been me’,” he remarked.
Mariah Carey also performed and expressed gratitude for the honor. “This means so much. If you’re gonna get one, might as well start with the Ultimate Icon Award,” she said. “My life and career have been quite the adventure. I will spare you the long, drawn-out saga tonight.”
Scroll to continue reading
In the acting categories, Cynthia Erivo took Best Actress for her work on “Wicked,” while Denzel Washington received Best Actor for his role in “Gladiator II.”
The night featured performances by artists including Ashanti, Lil Kim with Honey Bxby, Jim Jones, Amerie, Keyshia Cole, Mya, TI, B2K, and Bow Wow alongside Jermaine Dupri.
Below is the list of 2025 BET Award winners:
- Best female R&B/pop artist – SZA
- Best male R&B/pop artist – Chris Brown
- Best group – Future & Metro Boomin
- Best collaboration – Luther – Kendrick Lamar and SZA
- Best male hip hop artist – Kendrick Lamar
- Best Female hip hop artist – Doechii
- Video of the year – Not Like Us – Kendrick Lamar
- Video director of the year – Dave Free and Kendrick Lamar
- Best new artist – Leon Thomas
- Album of the year – GNX – Kendrick Lamar
- Dr Bobby Jones best gospel/inspirational award – Rain Down on Me – GloRilla feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music
- Best actress – Cynthia Erivo
- Best actor – Denzel Washington
- Best movie – Luther: Never Too Much
- YoungStars award – Blue Ivy Carter
- Sportswoman of the year – Angel Reese (basketball)
- Sportsman of the year – Jalen Hurts (football)
- BET Her award – Heart of a Woman – Summer Walker
MORE FROM EURWEB.COM: Kendrick Lamar Leads 2025 BET Awards Nominations
Sign up for our Free daily newsletter HERE.
