Kendrick Lamar wins big at BET Awards 2025 as show marks 25 years

The 2025 BET Awards were held Monday night at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the event, which honors Black excellence across music, film, television, and sports. Hosted by Kevin Hart, the milestone ceremony featured high-energy performances from GloRilla, Lil Wayne, Playboi Carti, Teyana Taylor, and more, along with a tribute to the iconic music show 106 & Park.

Kendrick Lamar led the night with 10 nominations and walked away with four major awards, including Album of the Year for GNX, Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Video of the Year for “Not Like Us,” and Best Collaboration for “Luther” with SZA.

Doechii and GloRilla, each receiving six nominations, earned their first-ever BET Awards. Doechii took home Best Female Hip Hop Artist and later delivered a powerful speech denouncing President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Her remarks addressed the ongoing protests in downtown Los Angeles against federal ICE raids, which prompted a visible increase in law enforcement and National Guard presence.

BET leaned into its silver anniversary with a weeklong fan experience at the Los Angeles Convention Center, celebrating artists and culture. The show was broadcast across multiple platforms including BET, MTV, Paramount Network, and more.

Special recognition was given to Snoop Dogg, Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, and Kirk Franklin, who received the Ultimate Icon Award in honor of their influential careers and contributions to Black entertainment.

Other major winners included Coco Jones, Usher, and the duo Drake & Partynextdoor. International accolades went to Tyla (South Africa) and Rema (Nigeria). The event also spotlighted achievements in film and sports, with honorees including Denzel Washington, Zendaya, and Simone Biles.