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Kevin Hart is set to host the 2025 BET Awards.
Airing live on BET on the East Coast (and tape-delayed on the West Coast) on Monday, June 9, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, the show will again be held at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. It will be Hart’s second time hosting the show. He previously hosted in 2011. And it’s the 25th anniversary of what BET likes to call “Culture’s Biggest Night.”
“I love a celebration!,” Hart said in a statement. “I’m truly honored to host the 25th BET Awards and celebrate the culture’s biggest night. This year marks the 25th anniversary, and my partners at Hartbeat, BET, and JCE are pulling out all the stops to make it a night to remember. It’s a Black-Tie affair, and you’re all invited. Tune in live on June 9th, only on BET.”
Hart has received four Primetime Emmy nominations and two Grammy nominations. In 2023, he topped Billboard Boxscore’s list of top 10 highest-grossing comedy tours of the year.
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In 2024, he received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Those who turned out to honor Hart included Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Jimmy Fallon, J.B. Smoove, Tiffany Haddish, Regina Hall, Chelsea Handler, Nick Cannon and Keith Robinson.
Hart has a robust history with BET, beginning as host of stand-up comedy showcase Comic View: One Night Stand in 2008. Hart also executive produced and starred in Real Husbands of Hollywood, the scripted parody series that premiered in 2013. On March 6, BET+ launched Lil Kev, the streamer’s first adult animated comedy series, based on Hart’s childhood and family, and produced by Hart’s entertainment company, Hartbeat.
“Kevin Hart is a powerhouse of an entertainer,” said Connie Orlando, EVP, specials, music programming & music strategy at BET. “His impact spans comedy, film, television, and beyond. As we celebrate 25 years of the BET Awards, we couldn’t think of a more dynamic host to lead this historic night. Kevin’s unmatched charisma, comedic brilliance, and deep-rooted connection to our culture make him the perfect choice to commemorate this milestone event.”
“For over a decade, Kevin Hart has been a beloved part of the BET family, and we couldn’t be more excited to have him return to host the 25th anniversary BET Awards,” said Scott Mills, president and CEO of BET. “His unparalleled talent, infectious energy, and deep connection to our audience make him the perfect host for this historic celebration.”
Orlando serves as the executive producer for the 2025 BET Awards, in tandem with Jamal Noisette, SVP of tentpoles & music community engagement, 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.
As previously reported, The BET Experience 2025 (BETX) returns June 5–8 in Los Angeles with four days of immersive fan events, leading up to the BET Awards on June 9.
The 25th annual BET Awards is set to air on Monday, June 9. It will mark the first time that Culture’s Biggest Night, as the show likes to call itself, will not air on a Sunday night since 2008. The show shifted to Sundays in June 2009 after airing on Tuesdays for its first eight years on the air, 2001-2008.
The move to Monday avoids a conflict with the Tony Awards, which are scheduled for Sunday, June 8, on CBS. The. network in recent years has simulcast the BET Awards, though this year’s simulcast partners have not yet been named. CBS has aired the Tonys every year since 1978. The date and host (Cynthia Erivo) of this year’s Tonys were announced two weeks ago.
The BET Awards will air live on BET from Los Angeles. The venue and host have not yet been announced. The show has been held at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live every year since 2013 (except for a virtual show in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic). Taraji P. Henson hosted the show last year, and also in 2021 and 2022.
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Last year, Drake led the nominations for the BET Awards with seven nods, but was shut out on the night. Usher received a lifetime achievement award, but the best news for him was probably coupling that honorary award with a win in a competitive category – best male R&B/pop artist. Tyla and Victoria Monét also won two awards on the night.
Connie Orlando, EVP of specials, music programming & music strategy for BET, serves as executive producer for the 2025 BET Awards, along with Jamal Noisette, SVP of tentpoles & music community engagement. Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company for the show, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serving as executive producers.
The BET Experience 2025 (BETX) is set to run from Thursday, June 5, through Sunday, June 8. The event promises “exclusive performances, celebrity panels, fan experiences, and more” from “the biggest names in entertainment, sports and culture.”
The 2024 BET Awards on June 30 drew more than 3 million viewers, according to Nielsen figures. The show, which was simulcast live across 10 Paramount networks, was up 10% in impressions compared to last year. It stands as the No. 1 awards show on cable of the first half of 2024.
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A total of 4.3 million viewers watched BET Awards content on premiere night, delivering a viewership increase of 10%. (That figure combines a live red-carpet show, the main telecast and an encore airing of the main telecast.)
The 2024 BET Awards scored its highest viewership with audiences in the prized 18-49 demographic in five years. It was the No. 1 show on all of TV for the day; the No. 1 cable awards show of the first half of 2024 among all audiences (18-49); and the No. 1 most social program across all of TV with 82% growth year-over-year and 10.5 million social interactions.
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BET calls the show “the most-watched culture and entertainment event on all of TV by Black audiences 18-49.” That careful wording is meant to exclude sports programming.
BET also calls the show “the most-watched Black event in America” and “the largest Black gathering for culture, entertainment, and empowerment in the country.”
The 2024 BET Awards included at least two notable firsts.
This year, the BET Awards put Black country artists at center stage for the first time. Tanner Adell performed her songs “Buckle Bunny” and “Cowboy” on the BET Amplified stage. The red-hot Shaboozey performed “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” joined by J-Kwon, whose 2004 smash “Tipsy” is interpolated in Shaboozey’s smash. “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” jumps to No. 1 on this week’s Billboard Hot 100 and holds at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs for the fourth nonconsecutive week.
In a statement, BET said “this groundbreaking inclusion of country music highlighted Black music’s rich history, diversity, and landscape” and that the show “celebrated the fullness of Black music.”
Also, Will Smith performed on the BET Awards stage for the first time, unveiling his new song “You Can Make It” alongside Kirk Franklin, Chandler Moore, and the Sunday Service Choir. Smith had co-hosted the show in 2005 with his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, but had not previously performed on the show. This was Smith’s first awards-show performance since he was barred from Academy Awards events for 10 years in 2022 following a headline-grabbing and image-damaging incident involving Chris Rock. This is a reminder that for many Black performers seeking to mount a comeback, the surest route is through Black audiences, who will often tend to be more sympathetic.
The importance of showing up to the polls in this chaotic election year was stressed throughout the show. The show included a segment in which third-time host Taraji P. Henson conversed with Vice President Kamala Harris about the importance of voting. In his acceptance speech for album of the year, Killer Mike stressed not only the importance of voting but also getting politically involved locally year-round.
Connie Orlando, EVP of specials, music programming & music strategy, served as the executive producer for the annual show, with Jamal Noisette, SVP of tentpoles & music community engagement, 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.
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Lee Daniels and Lena Waithe were among the attendees at the renowned event held in Los Angeles at the end of Black Music Month.
Last Friday (June 28), the Beverly Hills Hilton in Los Angeles, California, was the site of the Innovators and Leaders Awards Brunch, held by the esteemed Culture Creators Foundation. The non-profit group’s premier event was a fundraiser brunch for its mission of being a platform to recognize and salute those making significant contributions to the culture, business and entertainment industries. It was marked by the appearance of some notable figures such as director Lee Daniels and producer and director Lena Waithe, who were on hand to present awards. BET was a main sponsor of the event along with Möet Hennessy, Lexus and Rap Snacks.
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Journalist and NAACP Image Award nominee Gia Peppers served as the host of the expansive event, which began with “The Collective Conversation,” a talk between rapper and actor Joey Bada$$ and political strategist Quentin James about the ways that the community can be more politically informed and engaged with emphasis placed on voting and advocating for more diversity and increases in Black employment. After a performance by Roc Nation’s remarkable R&B band, Infinity Song, actress and singer Teyana Taylor was surprised by Waithe who presented her with the Innovator of the Year Award, providing a heartwarming moment for all attending.
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A similar moment occurred as CAA agent and board member Lorrie Bartlett was honored with the ICON Award by her longtime friend Daniels on stage. “I have had an incredible run and I feel so proud and lucky when I think about all I have accomplished thus far. Here’s the truth: more often than not, you have to make your own luck. The pathway to success is not the same for everybody,” Bartlett said to the audience. Other guests at the brunch included former honoree L.A. Reid, Andra Day, Regina King, Omarion, Debra Lee, YK Osiris, Alex Isley, Vanessa Estelle Williams, Pretty Vee, Trevor Jackson, Elijah Blake, Estelle, Cory Hardrict, designer Karl Kani, Flau’Jae, Jasper Hagen and Jessica Betts.
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Tanner Adell made her BET Awards debut Sunday (June 30), and she invited Billboard along for the ride.
The country singer, featured on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album, gave us a behind-the-scenes look at her BET Awards glam. Fans can shop Adell’s beauty picks via talkshoplive starting Wednesday (July 3).
Her red-carpet glam included NARS Sheer Glow Foundation, La Mer Moisturizing Cream, Fenty Beauty Mini Pro Filt’r Retouch Setting Powder, Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk’r Instant Warmth Bronzer, Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder, Pat McGrath Labs Mothership x Eyeshadow Palette, One/Size Point Made 24-Hour Gel Eyeliner Pencil, M.A.C’s Cork Lip Pencil Liner and blush from Haus Labs by Lady Gaga.
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For her hair, Adell used Fenty Hair 5-in-1 Heat Protectant Styler, a Dyson Airwrap and the T3 Body Waver Professional Curling and Styling Iron.
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Adell described the full look — an off-the shoulder Bach Mai dress and cowboy hat and heels with her hair in two braids — as Western meets whimsy.
“I love fantasy,” explained Adell. “I love playing games with fairies and all the sparkles and glitter [and] rhinestones. I would say [this look is] ‘Western whimsical.’ The dress is the whimsical, the braids and the hat are the Western.”
“The braids are such a cowgirl staple,” she added.
The “Buckle Bunny” singer made history as the first Black female country artist to perform at the BET Awards, which marked her first performance on a televised awards show.
“That’s an honor. It’s a really big deal for me,” she shared while getting glammed up for the show. “It’s crazy to go from watching the BET [Awards] to being on them.”
Adell performed her vial hit “Buckle Bunny” at the 2024 BET Awards and a new song, “Cowboy Break My Heart.”
Watch the video above to shop beauty picks from Adell’s BET Awards glam.
Muni Long teamed up with Mariah Carey for the remix of her latest hit, “Made for Me,” and she chatted with Billboard on the BET Awards red carpet on Sunday (June 30) about the collaboration. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “Mariah’s an icon and every chance […]
Usher got his flowers at the 2024 BET Awards on Sunday, June 30, receiving their lifetime achievement award. The award has been presented in all but one year since the show started in 2001. (There was no recipient in 2020, the year the COVID-19 pandemic nearly brought awards shows to a standstill.)
Whitney Houston was the inaugural BET lifetime achievement award winner in 2001. She was just 37 at the time, rather young for an award of this nature, but, as it turned out, it’s a good thing she got it when she did. She died unexpectedly in 2012.
Eight winners of the BET lifetime achievement award have also received Kennedy Center Honors, arguably the top “lifetime achievement award” given to entertainers. Those double winners are Earth, Wind & Fire, James Brown, Gladys Knight, Diana Ross, Al Green, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson and Queen Latifah.
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Most, but not all, of the BET lifetime achievement awards have also won Grammy Awards in competition. The BET honored six acts who, for whatever reason, have yet to win a competitive Grammy. They are Diana Ross, The O’Jays, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Charlie Wilson, New Edition and Busta Rhymes.
The BET’s 2006 lifetime achievement award went to actor Samuel L. Jackson. That was the year Prince died, and the show had five separate segments honoring the music legend. A lifetime achievement award to another music star would have easily been overshadowed by all the love shown to Prince, so the show pivoted and honored an actor instead. (Prince had received BET’s lifetime achievement award in 2010.)
Other BET lifetime achievement award honorees, not already mentioned in this story, are The Isley Brothers, Chaka Khan, Patti La Belle, Anita Baker, Mary J. Blige and Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Looking at that roster of past honorees, you may wonder “who’s left to receive this award in future”? Quite a few people, as it turns out. Here’s a list of 25 leading candidates for lifetime achievement awards at the BET Awards. All are still living. (The BET has yet to present a lifetime achievement award posthumously.) All have been active for 20 years or more.
The list includes legends whose careers date back to the late 1950s or early 1960s, such as Jerry Butler, Dionne Warwick and Stevie Wonder, as well as a few stars who broke through in the early 2000s – Alicia Keys, T.I. and Kanye West/Ye.
Of these 25 leading candidates for lifetime achievement awards at the BET Awards, who would you most like to see get the honor?
Though the BET Awards largely went off without a hitch on Sunday night (June 30), there was one blip in the broadcast. As Usher accepted the network’s lifetime achievement award, parts of his passionate, 12-minute speech were inaudible to viewers at home. BET issued an apology to the eight-time Grammy winner on Monday (July 1), […]
Plus photos of Ari Lennox, Ice Spice, Latto & more.
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Kendrick Lamar and Killer Mike were among the winners at the 2024 BET Awards while Usher took the stage in a standout moment.
On Sunday night (June 30), the 2024 BET Awards took place in front of a packed house at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, California. The night, hosted by actress Taraji P. Henson, was a star-studded affair that saw some of the biggest Black personalities in entertainment take home awards. R&B superstar Usher being awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award was the key highlight of the four-hour show, which also saw him take home the award for Best Male R&B/Pop Artist.
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Usher took the stage to receive the award after a medley performance of his greatest hits from artists including Childish Gambino, Summer Walker, Keke Palmer, Victoria Monét, and Teyana Taylor with Latto closing it out with her version of Ludacris’ verse on “Yeah!”. L.A. Reid and Babyface presented the award to Usher, who began his speech by saying: Getting here has definitely not been easy, but it has been worth it. This life achievement award, I don’t know man. Is it too early for me to receive it? Because I’m still running and gunning and still love this s—t like I was eight years old.”
Kendrick Lamar took home the award for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist, beating out Drake as his “Not Like Us” song served as the opening of the show as Henson rapped an interpretation dressed as the Compton artist was on his “Pop Out” concert. Nicki Minaj secured the award for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, and Killah Mike got the major award of the night by winning Album of The Year for his recent release, Michael. The Atlanta rapper stirred the crowd with his acceptance speech.
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The rest of the evening also featured energizing performances from Megan Thee Stallion, who appeared at the BET Awards for the first time in three years while Victoria Monét thrilled the crowd with her set featuring her hit “On My Mama” and her new single “Alright”. The new wave of women rappers also took the stage, with GloRilla descending from the roof in a parachute to kick her set off. Sexxy Red also performed a medley of her hits, while Ice Spice gave the audience a preview of her upcoming Y2K album with a quick set.