The 2025 BET Awards, which were broadcast live on BET from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Monday, June 9, had Kendrick Lamar as the top winner. It was hosted by Kevin Hart for the second time.
Lamar took up five awards: video of the year for “Not Like Us,” video director of the year with Dave Free, best collaboration for “Luther” with SZA, best male hip hop artist (for an unprecedented seventh time), and album of the year for GNX.
Seven years prior, Lamar had won album of the year for DAMN. In that category, which was added in 2017, only Lamar and Beyoncé have won twice. For Lemonade and Renaissance, Bey prevailed.
GNX, a strong contender for 2026’s album of the year, defeated three Grammy-winning records in February: Doechii’s Alligator Bites Never Heal (best rap album), Chris Brown’s 11:11 Deluxe (best R&B album), and Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter (album of the year and best country album).

Chris Brown and SZA both took home two honors. For the third consecutive year, SZA took home the prize for best collaboration and best female R&B/pop artist. SZA is only the third performer to win three or more awards for best female R&B/pop artist. With ten victories in the category, Beyoncé is in the lead. Additionally, Alicia Keys won three times.
For a record-breaking eighth time, Brown took up the award for best male R&B/pop performer. His “Residuals” also took up the Viewer’s Choice Award. Brown has now won four times in that category, which is only matched or exceeded by Beyoncé’s five victories and Lil Wayne’s four victories.
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There were two ways that fans recalled Luther Vandross: Luther: Never Too Much, the documentary, received best film in addition to best cooperation. A movie on a music legend has won in that category for the second consecutive year. Bob Marley: Last year, One Love prevailed.

The best female hip-hop artist award went to Doechii. Her first BET Award was this one. She then passionately spoke in favor of demonstrators outside the venue who were against ICE crackdowns.
Best New Artist went to Leon Thomas. Since Giveon four years ago, he is the first male musician to win in the category. For co-writing SZA’s “Snooze,” which was chosen as the greatest R&B song, Thomas received a Grammy in 2024. He will most likely not be able to compete for the 2026 Grammys’ best new artist title as a result. On the show, Thomas also sang his hit song, “Mutt.”
GloRilla won the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award for their song “Rain Down on Me,” which featured Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music. It is Franklin’s eighth victory in the category, Maverick City Music’s second, and GloRilla’s first, setting a new record.
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Metro Boomin and Future won best group. This is the third consecutive year that a two-star solo collaboration has taken home that honor. Silk Sonic and Migos were the last groups to win.

“Heart of a Woman” by Summer Walker took home the BET. Her prize. In December 2024, the song peaked at number three on Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs list.
For the second consecutive year, Blue Ivy Carter took home the Young Stars Award. Multiple victories are permitted in this category under BET regulations. Five times, Marsai Martin prevailed. It was also won twice by Keke Palmer and Yara Shahidi.
Denzel Washington won Best Actor for a sixth consecutive year, setting a new record. For the first time, Cynthia Erivo took home the best actress award.
For the third consecutive year, basketball player Angel Reese took home the sportswoman of the year award. For the second time in three years, football player Jalen Hurts took home the sportsman of the year award.

Drake entered the event with six nominations, but he was excluded. The Weeknd was excluded as well. He went from 0 to 4.
Three iconic musicians who passed away within the last year—Quincy Jones, Roberta Flack, and Angie Stone—were given special tributes. Jones’ 1990 hit song “The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)” was sung by Luke James, Miles Caton, and Lucky Daye. Flack’s 1973 hit song “Killing Me Softly With His Song” was performed by Andra Day. Stone’s 1999 hit song “No More Rain (In This Cloud)” was sung by Brittney Spencer. Cissy Houston, James Earl Jones, Tito Jackson, Roy Ayers, Frankie Beverly, and poet Nikki Giovanni were among the many In Memoriam parts.
Kirk Franklin, Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, and Jamie Foxx were awarded BET Ultimate Icons, as was previously stated. Remarkably, this is Carey’s first BET Award.
Connie Orlando, BET’s executive producer of specials, music programming, and music strategy, co-produced the 2025 BET Awards alongside Jamal Noisette, BET’s svp of tentpoles and music community engagement. The show’s production company was Jesse Collins Entertainment, and its executive producers were Jeannae Rouzan-Clay, Dionne Harmon, and Jesse Collins.
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