The 2025 BET Awards took center stage this year, showcasing the best in African-American talent across music, film, and sports. The night was dominated by the acclaimed rapper Kendrick Lamar, who brought home multiple awards, including Best Male Artist, Album of the Year, and Video of the Year for his hit song ‘Not Like Us’. In a remarkable collaboration, Lamar and filmmaker Dave Free received the award for Video Director of the Year.
During his emotive acceptance speech, Lamar expressed gratitude to BET for their unwavering support of African-American culture. “BET has always made sure to represent our culture authentically,” he said on the grand stage of the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, where the event was broadcast live.
Hosted by the ever-charismatic comedian Kevin Hart, the 25th anniversary of the BET Awards served as a celebration of influential figures in the music industry. Hart began the evening with heartfelt acknowledgments of the awards’ impact on the African-American cultural landscape, recalling its origins and importance.
The show featured a retrospective on the evolution of Black music, highlighted by live performances from celebrated artists. Ashanti captivated the audience with a medley of her greatest hits, including the timeless classic ‘Foolish’. Other iconic tracks from the 2000s were also showcased, such as ‘Ballin’ by Mustard, ‘1 Thing’ by Amerie, and ‘Like You’ by Bow Wow.
One of the evening’s most poignant moments was the presentation of the BET Ultimate Icon Award, honoring artists who have made lasting contributions to music and their communities. Notable recipients included Kirk Franklin, Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, and Snoop Dogg.
Accepting his award, Foxx, who received his accolade from the legendary Stevie Wonder, expressed deep appreciation for the recognition. He shared his personal journey of recovery following a stroke in 2023, stating, “I have to be honest; when I saw the ‘In Memoriam’ segment, I thought, ‘Man, that could have been me’,” visibly emotional regarding his experiences.
Political Messages and Emerging Talent
In a highlight for the night, rising rapper Doechii was awarded Best Female Hip Hop Artist. During her impactful speech, she took the opportunity to address the military deployment in Los Angeles amid protests against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. “Trump is using military forces to quash protests,” she asserted. “I want everyone to consider what this government looks like when the military is called to respond to our democratic right to protest.”
The 2025 BET Awards combined elements of celebration, historical memory, and social advocacy, affirming its position as one of the most influential platforms for showcasing the talent and struggles of the African-American community. This year’s ceremony was not only a celebration of achievement in arts and entertainment but also a reminder of the ongoing issues facing the community, urging discussions about justice, representation, and empowerment.