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“BET AWARDS” MARKS 25 YEARS OF CULTURE BIGGEST NIGHT WITH HOST KEVIN HART, FILLED WITH ICONIC TRIBUTES AND PERFORMANCES


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“BET AWARDS” MARKS 25 YEARS OF CULTURE BIGGEST NIGHT WITH HOST KEVIN HART, FILLED WITH ICONIC TRIBUTES AND PERFORMANCES

MARIAH CAREY, JAMIE FOXX, KIRK FRANKLIN AND SNOOP DOGG HONORED WITH THE PRESTIGIOUS ULTIMATE ICON AWARD

 BELOVED “106 & PARK” HOSTS REUNITE AND FAN-FAVORITE PERFORMANCES

BET OFFICIALLY UNVEILS “106 & SPORTS” WITH HOSTS CAM NEWTON AND ASHLEY NICOLE MOSS

WATCH AN ENCORE OF “BET AWARDS” 2025
TUESDAY, JUNE 10 AT 8 PM ET/ PT ON BET

#BETAWARDS

New York, NY – June 9, 2025 – “BET Awards” 2025 delivered an epic celebration of Black culture’s past, present, and future with its 25th anniversary show hosted by entertainment mogul Kevin Hart. Airing live from Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater, the milestone broadcast paid tribute to a quarter-century of Black excellence in music, film, television, and sports with unforgettable moments, tributes, and culture-shifting performances.

The 106 & Park reunion brought a wave of nostalgia as hosts Free Marie Wright, Terrence J, Big Tigger, Keshia Chanté, and Julissa Bermudez took the stage. The celebration featured electrifying performances from 106 & Park-era icons, including former host Bow Wow a.k.a “Mr. 106 & Park,” Ashanti, Jim Jones, Amerie, Keyshia Cole, Mya, T.I., B2K and Jermaine Dupri.

Ultimate Icon Awards were presented to Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx, and Kirk Franklin, each honored with powerful performances and tributes:

  • Mariah Carey delivered a dazzling set featuring DJ D-Nice, Anderson .Paak, and Rakim, and premiered her new single “Dangerous Type”. Busta Rhymes presented Mariah Carey with the Ultimate Icon Award, recognizing her prolific career and the blueprint she created for Hip-Hop collaborations.

  • Snoop Dogg received his honor from Dr. Dre, and performed a West Coast medley with Charlie Wilson, Warren G, and Kurupt. He accepted his award alongside his wife Shante Broadus, and performed his hits, “Drop It Like It's Hot”, “Nothin’ but a G Thang,” and Charlie Wilson joined him to perform “Beautiful” and “Outstanding.”

  • Jamie Foxx, introduced by Stevie Wonder, was saluted by Babyface, Ludacris, Tank, Jennifer Hudson, Doug E. Fresh, and T-Pain before giving an emotional speech reflecting on his health journey. “When I was watching the memoriam, I was thanking God because that could have been me.”

  • Kirk Franklin was presented with his Ultimate Icon Award by T.I. for his storied career. Following his acceptance speech, Franklin performed “Silver and Gold,“ “Smile,” “Revolution,” “Melodies from Heaven,” and “Stomp.” He was also joined on stage by Tamar Braxton, Jamal Roberts, Muni Long, and D.C. Young Fly.

Throughout this year’s ceremony, every moment served as a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy and future of Black excellence. Watch an encore of “BET Awards” 2025,  June 10 at 8 PM ET/PT on BET. Relive and share every moment of the “BET Awards” 2025 available now on BET’s official YouTube page.

The complete list of winners, clips, and photos from the “BET Awards" 2025 is available here.

Full Recap of “BET Awards” 2025 Highlights

BET celebrated Black Excellence in music, television, film, and sports across more than 20 categories.

  • Kevin Hart’s opening monologue set the tone for a night full of comedy, celebration, and reflection.

  • BET officially announced 106 & Sports during the 25th anniversary celebration of the iconic 106 & Park. The new show will be hosted by NFL MVP and media personality Cam Newton alongside acclaimed sports journalist Ashley Nicole Moss.

  • Leon Thomas brought rock and roll flair to his performance of “Mutt,” and gave a performance that blended his signature R&B and Rock flair. He was also awarded as this year’s Best New Artist.

  • Big Tigger’s rap cypher featured Kid Capri, Ludacris, and Kevin Hart a.k.a Chocolate Droppa.

  • Rap icon Lil Wayne made his return to the “BET Awards" with an electric performance of “A Milli.”

  • Keyshia Cole joined GloRilla on stage for a new song "Typa" featuring R&B classic "Love."

  • In a powerful in memoriam performance, Lucky Daye, Luke James, and Michael Canton paid tribute to Wanda Sims, Frankie Beverly, Nikki Giovanni, Quincy Jones and Cissy Houston.  Brittney Spencer paid tribute to Angie Stone in a performance of  "No More Rain,” while Andra Day honored the legacy of Roberta Flack in a moving rendition of "Killing Me Softly."

  • Teyana Taylor made a triumphant return to music, featuring Taraji P. Henson with an electrifying performance of her new singles "Fire Girl" & "Long Time” from her upcoming album.

  • Tyler Perry introduced Ledisi, who moved audiences with “BLKWMN,” spotlighting the power of Black storytelling.

  • On the BET Amplified stage, Ravyn Lenae performed her single “Love Me Not” and Elmiene delivered a performance of “Tears.”

  • Presenters for the evening included: Annie Ilonzeh, Ashley Nicole Moss, Big Tigger, Busta Rhymes, Cam Newton, Ciara, Claudia Jordan, Crystal Renee, DC youngfly, Deon Cole, DeVon Franklin, Diamond White, Drew Sidora, Druski, Erica Mena, Erika Pinkett, Free, Julissa Bermudez, Kai Cenat, Keke Palmer, Ken Lawson, Keshia Chanté, Kerry Washington, Lala Anthony, letoya Luckett-Coles, Mariah the Scientist, Marques Houston, Quinta Brunson, Stevie Wonder, Terrence J, Tichina Arnold, T.I.P., Tisha Campbell, Tyler James Williams, Tyler Perry, and Xavier Smalls.

The complete list of winners for the “BET AWARDS” 2025 are:

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)

 

For a full recap of “BET Awards” 2025 including the complete list of winners and show show highlights, Click HERE

 

 

 

BET.com/bet-awards is the official site for “BET Awards” 2025 and is the official source for the latest news and updates about this year's show. Follow us @BET and @BETAWARDS.

For more information on the “BET Awards” 2025, please visit BET.com/bet-awards.

Connie Orlando, EVP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy, will oversee and Executive Produce the annual show, with Jamal Noisette, SVP of Tentpoles & Music Community Engagement, to also Executive Produce for BET. Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company for the show, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serving as Executive Producers.

*“BET AWARDS” 2025 BROADCAST RESTRICTIONS

News programs and services may excerpt portions of the “BET Awards” 2025 telecast during the seven days following the broadcast premiere on Monday, June 9 solely for reporting about the “BET Awards” 2025 as an event and subject to the following conditions.

Broadcast Restrictions:

  • Up to three minutes in total, but no more than thirty seconds of any single moment or performance, may be used within the period ending the first day following the telecast.
  • Up to one minute in total, not separate from the three minutes referenced above and no more than thirty seconds of any single moment or performance may be used within the period of the second through seventh days following the telecast.
  • Any display, exhibition or performance of the material must be accompanied by the chyron, “Courtesy of BET.”

.

Online Restrictions:

  • Otherwise, up to thirty seconds of any single moment or performance may be used as part of a wrap-up package through the seventh day following the telecast (For purposes of clarification, you may NOT use portions of the “BET Awards” 2025 as standalone video assets).
  •  Any display, exhibition or performance of the material must be accompanied by the chyron, “Courtesy of BET,” and a link to www.bet.com

 

ABOUT BET

The BET Media Group, a unit of Paramount (NASDAQ: PARAA; PARA), is the world’s largest media company dedicated to entertaining, engaging, and empowering the Black community and championing Black culture. Connecting Black audiences through a portfolio of brands including BET, BET+, BET Gospel, BET HER, BET International, BET Jams, BET Soul, BET Studios, and VH1, the BET Media Group is a thriving media ecosystem of leading interconnected platforms across cable TV, streaming, digital, studios, live events and international.

For more information about BET, visit www.bet.com and follow @BET on social platforms. For more BET news announcements, visit betpressroom.com.

 
ABOUT “BET AWARDS”

“BET Awards” is one of the most-watched award shows on cable television according to the Nielsen Company. The “BET Awards” franchise remains the #1 program in cable TV history among African-Americans, and it is the #1 telecast for BET every year. It recognizes the triumphs and successes of artists, entertainers, and athletes in a variety of categories.

About Jesse Collins Entertainment

Founded in 2012, Jesse Collins Entertainment (JCE) is a full-service Emmy winning production company that has played an integral role in producing many of television's most memorable moments in music entertainment.  JCE's award-winning and critically acclaimed television includes programming from its three divisions.  From the scripted division: scripted series—Real Husbands of Hollywood, American Soul and miniseries—The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story.  From the unscripted division: unscripted series – Gabrielle Union: My Journey to 50, Oh Hell No! With Marlon Wayans, Cardi Tries, My Killer Body with K. Michelle, DJ Cassidy's Pass the Mic and Forward: The Future of Black Music, competition/game shows—Celebrity Squares, Becoming A Popstar, Rhythm + Flow, Sunday Best, Hip Hop Squares and Nashville Squares, talk shows – Yara Shahidi's Day Off and Face to Face with Becky G, and children's series—Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices (Daytime Emmy Award winner).  From the specials division: award shows—The Emmy Awards, The American Music Awards, BET Awards, Soul Train Awards, BET Hip Hop Awards, Black Girls Rock!, BET Honors, UNCF's An Evening of Stars and ABFF Honors, specials—The Super Bowl Halftime Show (Primetime Emmy Award winner), The Light We Carry: Michelle Obama & Oprah Winfrey (Primetime Emmy® Award nominee), A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop, Lil Rel Howery: I said it. Y'all thinking it., CNN's Juneteenth: A Global Celebration of Freedom, Martin: The Reunion, John Lewis: Celebrating A Hero, Love & Happiness: An Obama Celebration, Change Together: From The March On Washington To Today, A GRAMMY Salute to the Sounds of Change, Stand Up for Heroes, Dear Mama, Amanda Seales: I Be Knowin', Def Comedy Jam 25, Leslie Jones: Time Machine, The All-Star Nickmas Spectacular and Rip the Runway.  Emmy winner Jesse Collins, Founder and CEO, is the executive producer of all JCE programming.  He is also an executive producer for the annual Grammy Awards and the 75th Annual Emmy Awards.  Collins also produced the 2021 Oscars and 2022 Golden Globes.

BET Awards Media Contacts

Chloe Duverge | Chloe.Duverge@bet.net

Aaron Bastian | Aaron.astian@bet.net

Johnny Cooper | Johnny.Cooper@bet.net