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At Monday night’s (June 9) 2025 BET Awards, Kendrick Lamar is the top nominee heading into the show, with a whopping nine nods. But who will leave Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles as the biggest winner?
Billboard will be updating our winners list all night, in all the top music categories — like album of the year and best new artist — as well as all the movie, TV and sports categories too. Stick with this page to see the winners list updating live all night, and get all the details about how to watch the 25th-anniversary BET Awards here.
Album of the Year
$ome $exy $ongs 4 U — Drake & Partynextdoor11:11 Deluxe — Chris BrownAlligator Bites Never Heal — DoechiiCowboy Carter — BeyoncéGlorious — GloRillaGNX — Kendrick LamarHurry Up Tomorrow — The WeekndWe Don’t Trust You — Future & Metro Boomin
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Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Ari LennoxAyra StarrCoco JonesKehlaniMuni LongSummer WalkerSZAVictoria Monét
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Bruno MarsChris BrownDrakeFridayyLeon ThomasTeddy SwimsThe WeekndUsher
Best Group
41Common & Pete RockDrake & PartynextdoorFloFuture & Metro BoominJacquees & Dej LoafLarry June, 2 Chainz, The AlchemistMaverick City Music
Best Collaboration
“30 For 30” — SZA feat. Kendrick Lamar“Alter Ego” — Doechii feat. JT“Are You Even Real” — Teddy Swims feat. Givēon“Beckham” — Dee Billz feat. Kyle Richh, Kai Swervo, KJ SwervoBless — Lil Wayne, Wheezy & Young Thug“Like That” — Future & Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar“Luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA“Sticky” — Tyler, The Creator feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne“Timeless” — The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi BDoechiiDoja CatGloRillaLattoMegan Thee StallionNicki MinajRapsodySexyy Red
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
BigXthaPlugBossman DLowBurna BoyDrakeFutureKendrick LamarKey GlockLil WayneTyler, The Creator
Video of the Year
“3AM in Tokeyo” — Key Glock“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” — Shaboozey“After Hours” — Kehlani“Denial Is a River” — Doechii“Family Matters” — Drake“Not Like Us” — Kendrick Lamar“Timeless” — The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti“Type Shit” — Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Playboi Carti
Video Director of the Year
Anderson .PaakB Pace Productions & JacqueesBenny BoomCactus JackCole BennettDave Free & Kendrick LamarDave MeyersFoggierawTyler, The Creator
Best New Artist
41Ayra StarrBigXthaPlugBossMan DlowDee BillzLeon ThomasOctober LondonShaboozeyTeddy Swims
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
“A God (There Is)” — Common & Pete Rock feat. Jennifer Hudson“Amen” — Pastor Mike Jr.“Better Days” — Fridayy“Church Doors” — Yolanda Adams feat. Sir The Baptist & Donald Lawrence (Terry Hunter Remix)“Constant” — Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore & Anthony Gargiula“Deserve to Win” — Tamela Mann“Faith” — Rapsody“Rain Down on Me” — GloRilla feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music
Viewer’s Choice Award
“Residuals” — Chris Brown“Denial Is a River” — Doechii“Nokia” — Drake“Like That” — Future & Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar“TGIF” — GloRilla“Not Like Us” — Kendrick Lamar“Luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA“Brokey” — Latto
Best International Act
Any Gabrielly (Brazil)Ayra Starr (Nigeria)Basky (UK)Black Sherif (Ghana)Ezra Collective (UK)Joé Dwèt Filé (France)MC Luanna (Brazil)Rema (Nigeria)SDM (France)Tyla (South Africa)Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)Best New International ActAbigail Chams (Tanzania)Ajulicosta (Brazil)Amabbi (Brazil)Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)Dr Yaro (France)KWN (UK)Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa)Merveille (France)Odeal (UK)Shallipopi (Nigeria)TxC (South Africa)
BET Her
“Beautiful People” — Mary J. Blige“Blackbiird” — Beyonce feat. Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy & Reyna Roberts“Bloom” — Doechii“Burning” — Tems“Defying Gravity” — Cynthia Erivo feat. Ariana Grande“Heart of a Woman” — Summer Walker“Hold On” — Tems“In My Bag” — Flo & GloRilla
Best Movie
Bad Boys: Ride or DieBeverly Hills Cop: Axel FLuther: Never Too MuchMufasa: The Lion KingOne of Them DaysRebel RidgeThe Piano LessonThe Six Triple Eight
Best Actor
Aaron PierceAldis HodgeAnthony MackieColman DomingoDenzel WashingtonJamie FoxxJoey Bada$$Kevin HartSterling K. BrownWill Smith
Best Actress
Andra DayAngela BassettCoco JonesCynthia ErivoKeke PalmerKerry WashingtonQuinta BrunsonViola DavisZendaya
Young Stars Award
Akira AkbarBlue Ivy CarterGraceyn “Gracie” HollingsworthHeiress HarrisMelody HurdThaddeus J. MixsonTyrik JohnsonVanVan
Sportswoman of the Year Award
A’ja WilsonAngel ReeseClaressa ShieldsCoco GauffDawn StaleyFlau’jae JohnsonJuju WatkinsSha’Carri RichardsonSimone Biles
Sportsman of the Year
Aaron JudgeAnthony EdwardsDeion SandersJalen HurtsJayson TatumLeBron JamesSaquon BarkleyStephen Curry
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The BET Awards celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, and the network is going all out on performances, nostalgic moments and an all-star lineup of presenters and attendees. Kevin Hart is set to return as host while Lil Wayne, GloRilla and Playboy Carti are just a few must-see musical acts of the night. BET will also celebrate its iconic music video countdown show, 106 & Park, with a special tribute that’ll feature former hosts AJ Calloway, Free Marie Wright, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz and Terrence J.
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The 2025 BET Awards will premiere live on Monday, June 9 at 8 p.m. ET. To make sure you don’t miss out on culture’s biggest night, here’s everything you need to know about the awards show including how to watch it online.
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Who Is Performing At The BET Awards?
For the show’s 25th anniversary, BET called in a star-studded lineup featuring Lil Wayne, Teyana Taylor, GloRilla, Playboi Carti and Leon Thomas to perform on the big stage.
Who Has The Most BET Awards Nominations?
To no surprise, Kendrick Lamar leads all nominees with 10, including an album of the year nod for his latest album GNX and record of the year and song of the year for “Not Like Us.” There’s also a four-way tie between Drake, GloRilla, Doechii, and Future, who all have six nominations each. Metro Boomin earned five nods, while The Weeknd and SZA both received four.
How to Watch the BET Awards Online
The 2025 BET Awards will air on Monday, June 9 on BET. If you don’t have cable, the award show will be available to stream through several channels including Sling, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV and Philo.
Sling TV
You can take advantage of half off for first month of all of Sling TV‘s streaming packages with prices starting at just $23. There are three package plans to choose from: Orange, Blue and Orange + Blue with every option including the TNT channel. After your first month is up you’ll be charged the regular subscription price based on the package you pick.
The Orange Package comes with nearly 35 channels and can be streamed on just one device at a time. Included in the Blue Package is nearly 50 channels. Can’t choose? You can combine both packages and get all channels and the ability to stream on up to three devices at once.
Please note: Pricing and channel availability varies from market-to-market.
Hulu + Live TV
For the most content offerings, you can sign up for Hulu + Live TV and get access to the Hulu library in addition to more than 95 live TV channels (including BET). The streaming platform starts at $82.99 per month.
And, for even more programming, Hulu + Live TV now comes bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+, which will give you everything within the Hulu library in addition to exclusive content on ESPN for even more sports coverage.
Philo
if you’re a new Philo subscriber, you can sign up for a seven-day free trial to try out the streamer for yourself before you commit. The service offers a slate of free channels with ad-supported free-to-stream movies, TV shows and other programming. However, you can upgrade to Philo to stream more than 70 channels, including A&E, MTV, Lifetime, OWN, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., HGTV, TLC, BET, FYI, WE tv, Logo and Discovery Channel for $28 per month. A subscription even comes with unlimited DVR cloud recording.
DirecTV
DirecTV is offering new users a five-day free trial when you sign up. All of the signature packages include TNT, so you can stream the channels online.
If you’re a big sports fan, you can sign up for the streaming service’s “MySports” Genre Pack, which includes channels, like TNT, ESPN, NBA TV, ABC, ESPN2, Fox Sports and much more starting at $69.99 per month.
Given the ramp-up to tonight’s BET Awards — Kendrick Lamar leading the charge with 10 nominations; Lil Wayne, GloRilla, Playboi Carti and Leon Thomas performing; a salute to video countdown show 106 & Park and not one but four Ultimate Icon Award honorees: Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg and Kirk Franklin — no doubt more than a few people will be tuning in as “Culture’s Biggest Night” celebrates its 25th anniversary.
And that should come as no surprise. Because in the last 25 years, the BET Awards show has lived up to that lofty tag line while, in turn, cementing the show’s venerable legacy.
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As Connie Orlando, BET’s executive vp of specials, music programming and music strategy, noted in a 2021 Billboard interview, “If you look at the BET Awards — ‘culture’s biggest night’ — it’s big. It’s Black excellence. It’s the best of the best. We want to thunder home a message about music, culture and everything.”
The show had accomplished just that the year before Orlando’s above-referenced comments when it went virtual in June 2020 — exceeding expectations and garnering fans’ and critics’ praise despite the challenges presented by COVID-19. In setting the show’s culturally empowering tone, host/actress Amanda Seales delivered a searing monologue about the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor while questioning renewed white fervor for civil rights in the wake of Juneteenth being designated as a national holiday: “…Y’all don’t let them Cinco de Mayo our day. If we ain’t watchful, every June 19th, folks going to be at the bar wearing Frederick Douglass wig hats, ordering ‘Harriettinis’ off the drink special.”
But that wasn’t the only reason that 3.7 million viewers tuned in that evening. The riveting performances and special awards were just as memorable. There was Megan Thee Stallion revving up an ATV in the desert — along with her formidable twerking prowess — for “Girls in the Hood” and “Savage (Remix),” riveting tributes to late pioneers Little Richard and Kobe Bryant and former First Lady Michelle Obama presenting that year’s Humanitarian Award to Beyoncé in recognition of the star’s charitable endeavors and fight against sexism and racism.
Other social media and water-cooler moments spring to mind as well. Like Michael Jackson trading fancy footwork (to rabid audience screams) with his idol James Brown before presenting the Godfather of Soul with BET’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. Or Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett being the first married couple to host the show in 2005. Then 19 years later Smith returned to the BET Awards stage last year for his first solo performance on a major awards show since his infamous Oscar slap in 2022 that got him banned from Academy Award events for 10 years.
Let’s not forget Jamie Foxx’s compassionate yet joyous turn as host for the 2009 ceremony, just days after Jackson’s untimely death. In a rousing tribute to the singer-songwriter, the Oscar winner donned a red jacket and one jeweled glove to perform “Beat It” before being joined onstage by an emotional Janet Jackson. “We’re going to celebrate this Black man,” Foxx declared at one point during what became one of the highest-rated BET Awards shows ever with more than 10 million viewers. “He belongs to us, and we shared him with everybody else.”
And the list goes on. Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar opening the show in 2016 with an astonishing, splashy performance of “Freedom.” Prince hoisting one of Patti LaBelle’s high-heeled shoes in the air after her stirring interpretation of “Purple Rain” during his 2010 lifetime achievement induction. Charlie Wilson’s own bar-raising lifetime award presentation featuring Snoop Dogg, Pharrell and Justin Timberlake in 2013. Chris Brown’s electrifying dance moves in tribute to Jackson in 2010 and again in 2011 before taking home four statuettes as that year’s top winner. Not to mention illuminating performances in salute to lifetime achievement queens Chaka Khan and Mary J. Blige in 2006 and 2019. Not to mention surprise reunions over the years like New Edition and En Vogue.
Such memorable moments haven’t been limited to artist performances or the colorful cast of hosts along the way, including Taraji P. Henson, Kevin Hart (marking his second time as emcee tonight) and Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross. Actor Samuel L. Jackson was at the helm in 2016 when Grey’s Anatomy star and activist Jesse Williams’ impassioned speech after accepting BET’s Humanitarian Award literally stole the show. “We’re done watching and waiting while this invention called whiteness uses and abuses us,” Williams declared in part, “burying Black people out of sight and out of mind while extracting our culture, our dollars, our entertainment like oil — Black gold! — ghettoizing and demeaning our creations and stealing them, gentrifying our genius and then trying us on like costumes before discarding our bodies like rinds of strange fruit.”
Like other award ceremonies, BET has also endured its share of bumps and bruises in the ongoing tug of war between captivating audiences in a 24/7 media world and lower ratings. In 2022, Lil Nas X tweeted his dismay (“Thank you bet awards. an outstanding zero nominations again”) and even released a song, “Late to Da Party,” about the matter. In a statement, BET cited his 2020 nomination and performances on the show in 2019 and 2021 and added in part, “We love Lil Nas X … At BET, we are passionate advocates for the wonderful diversity that exists within our community.”
Speaking of ratings, the 2024 BET Awards claimed bragging rights as the No. 1 cable awards show, drawing more than 3 million viewers, according to Nielsen — and its highest viewership in the coveted 18-49 demographic in five years. In addition to Usher receiving the lifetime achievement award, the boost was further propelled by Will Smith’s first performance on the BET stage and country artists being spotlighted for the first time as well with performances by Shaboozey and Tanner Adell. “This groundbreaking inclusion of country music highlighted Black music’s rich history, diversity and landscape” and “celebrated the fullness of Black music,” BET said in a statement.
Ultimately, it’s the cultural impact that stands at the heart of the BET Awards’ legacy, not ratings. As BET itself marks its 45th anniversary at a time when diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are being erased, books are being banned and revisionist history is becoming a popular pastime, it’s imperative that Black voices not be silenced but celebrated and chronicled.
“For 25 years, the BET Awards has stood as the most coveted and authentic stage for celebrating Black culture; not just in music but in all its dynamic expressions,” Orlando tells Billboard ahead of tonight’s show. “No other award show carries the same responsibility, resonance or expectation. [The audience] comes for joy, for protest, for healing; to see Black Excellence in all its complexity, creativity and power. That’s what makes the BET Awards unlike anything else — and why it continues to matter so deeply.”
So stay tuned for what “Culture’s Biggest Night” has in store this time around.
BET has enlisted top talent to appear on its 25th annual BET Awards show, which will air live from Peacock Theatre at L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Monday, June 9, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET.
Comedian Kevin Hart is set to host the show. It’s his second time fronting the ceremony, having previously hosted in 2011.
Lil Wayne, Teyana Taylor, GloRilla, Playboi Carti and Leon Thomas are set to perform. GloRilla is one of this year’s leading nominees, with six nominations, including album of the year for Glorious. Playboi Carti has one of the most successful albums of 2025; Music (which was released after the eligibility period for the 2025 BET Awards ended) topped the Billboard 200 for three weeks in March and April.
Four top stars — Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg and Kirk Franklin — are set to receive the Ultimate Icon Award.
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Living legend Stevie Wonder joins the list of presenters and participants, along with Busta Rhymes, Ciara, Quinta Brunson, Kerry Washington, Keke Palmer and more, Billboard can exclusively reveal. Other participants include Tyler Perry and LeToya Luckett-Coles and Devon Franklin from the cast of Divorced Sistas, a spinoff of the BET comedy series Sistas. The spinoff is set to premiere on BET+ on June 10.
As previously announced, BET will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the launch of its music video countdown show 106 & Park with a special tribute. 106 & Park aired on BET from 2000-14. There are reports that a reboot of the show will premiere by September.
Kendrick Lamar leads the 2025 BET Awards nominations with 10 nods. Doechii, Drake, Future and GloRilla are tied with six nominations, Metro Boomin earned five, and SZA and The Weeknd are tied with four each.
Connie Orlando — evp of specials, music programming and music strategy at BET — serves as the executive producer for BET Awards 2025, with Jamal Noisette, svp of tentpoles and 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.
Performers
Lil Wayne
Teyana Taylor
GloRilla
Playboi Carti
Leon Thomas
Ultimate Icon Award recipients
Mariah Carey
Jamie Foxx
Snoop Dogg
Kirk Franklin
Presenters/Participants
LeToya Luckett-Coles (Divorced Sistas)
Devon Franklin (Divorced Sistas)
Tyler Perry
Keshia Chante (106&Park Tribute)
Terrence J (106&Park Tribute)
Free (106&Park Tribute)
Julissa Bermudez (106&Park Tribute)
DC YoungFly
Big Tigger (106&Park Tribute)
Crystal Renee
Busta Rhymes
Ciara
Tyler James Williams
Quinta Brunson
Drew Sidora (Cast of Run)
Marques Houston (Cast of Run)
Annie ilonzeh (Cast of Run)
Erika Pinkett (Cast of Run)
Erica Mena (Cast of Run)
Ken Lawson (Cast of Run)
Claudia Jordan (Cast of Run)
Kerry Washington
Deon Cole
Druski
Kai Cenat
Mariah the Scientist
Keke Palmer
LaLa Anthony
Diamond White
T.I.P.
Xavier Smalls
Ashley Nicole Moss
Cam Newton
Stevie Wonder
Tichina Arnold
Tisha Campbell
Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Kirk Franklin and Snoop Dogg, will all be honored with the BET Ultimate Icon Award, “celebrating their decades of groundbreaking contributions to music, entertainment, advocacy, and community impact.”
Carey, Franklin, and Snoop are also set to perform on the show. Hosted by Kevin Hart, the 2025 BET Awards, promoted as “Culture’s Biggest Night,” will air live on Monday, June 9, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET.
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Franklin has won 20 Grammys, Carey has won five, and Foxx has won one. Snoop Dogg has yet to win a Grammy, despite 16 nominations. But Snoop won a Primetime Emmy in 2022 as a performer on The Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Starring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, which was voted outstanding variety special (live). Foxx won an Oscar in 2005 for his lead role in the 2004 biopic Ray. Foxx also hosted the BET Awards twice, in 2009 and 2018.
Previous Ultimate Icon Award recipients are Janet Jackson (2015), Deborah L. Lee (2018), and Tyler Perry (2019).
As previously announced, Lil Wayne, Teyana Taylor, GloRilla, Playboi Carti and Leon Thomas will perform at the 2025 BET Awards. More performers are expected to be announced.
Kendrick Lamar leads the 2025 BET Awards nominations with 10 nods. Doechii, Drake, Future and GloRilla are tied with six nods. Metro Boomin earned five, followed by SZA and The Weeknd, with four nods each.
As previously announced, BET will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the music video countdown show 106 & Park with a tribute. Former hosts AJ Calloway, Free Marie Wright, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz, and Terrence J will reunite on stage for a nostalgic celebration. The tribute will feature performances from previous host, Bow Wow, as well as Amerie, B2K, Jim Jones, Mya, T.I., and more.
Culture’s Biggest Week returns with BET Experience 2025 (BETX), two days of immersive fan-focused events on Thursday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8, ahead of the 2025 BET Awards.
Lil Wayne, Teyana Taylor, GloRilla, Playboi Carti, and Leon Thomas are the first performers announced for the 2025 BET Awards. The 25th anniversary show will air live from Peacock Theatre at L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Monday, June 9 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET.
GloRilla is one of this year’s leading nominees, with six nominations, including album of the year for Glorious. Playboi Carti has one of the most successful albums of 2025; Music (which was released after the eligibility period for the 2025 BET Awards ended) topped the Billboard 200 for three weeks in March and April.
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More performers and honorees will be announced. Comedian Kevin Hart will host the show. It’s his second time fronting the show, having previously hosted in 2011.
“We’re setting the tone for a night that celebrates 25 years of impact, creativity, and Black culture,” Connie Orlando, evp of specials, music programming & music strategy at BET, said in a statement. “With electrifying performances from some of the biggest names in music and an iconic comedic host, BET Awards 2025 will be a can’t-miss celebration of everything the culture represents.”
BET will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the launch of its music video countdown show 106 & Park with a special tribute, with creative direction by Teyana Taylor and The Aunties Production. Former hosts AJ Calloway, Free Marie Wright, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz, and Terrence J will reunite on stage for a nostalgic celebration. The tribute will feature performances by Bow Wow (who hosted the show from 2012-14), Amerie, B2K, Jim Jones, Mya, T.I., and more. 106 & Park aired on BET from 2000-14. There are reports that a reboot of the show will premiere by September.
Kendrick Lamar leads the 2025 BET Awards nominations with 10 nods. Doechii, Drake, Future and GloRilla are tied with six nominations, Metro Boomin earned five, and SZA and The Weeknd are tied with four each.
Orlando serves as the executive producer for BET Awards 2025, 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.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Variety / Getty
t is clear Kendrick Lamar had a banner year in 2024. He leads the nominations for the 25th BET Awards with 10 nods.
As spotted on Deadline, Kendrick Lamar is poised to be the man of the hour at the 2025 BET Awards. On Wednesday (May 7), the television network announced the nominations for their upcoming ceremony and K-Dot locked in 10 nods throughout several categories. His nominations include Album of the Year for GNX, Video of the Year for “Not Like Us,” three Viewer’s Choice Award slots for “Not Like Us,” “Luther,” featuring SZA, and “Like That” with Future and Metro Boomin. He is also up for three Best Collaboration awards for “Like That,” “30 for 30,” and “Luther,” featuring SZA. He is also up for Video Director of the Year with his frequent collaborator Dave Free, and Best Male Hip Hop Artist.
While Kendrick is the front-runner some of his Rap colleagues will also have the opportunity to have a big night. Doechii is also nominated six times with her Alligator Bites Never Heal mixtape up for Album Of The Year, Video of the Year and Viewer’s Choice Award for “Denial is a River,” BET Her for “Bloom,” Best Collaboration for “Alter Ego” featuring JT, and Best Female Hip Hop Artist.Drake is also up for Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Album Of The Year for $ome $exy $ongs 4 U with PartyNextDoor, Video Of The Year for Family Matters, Best Group, Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, and Viewer’s Choice Award for “Nokia.”
The 2025 BET Awards will stream live Monday (June 9), on BET at 8 p.m. ET/PT hosted by Kevin Hart.
Just as Kendrick Lamar leads the 2025 BET Award nominations, which were announced on Thursday (May 8), he is likely to also lead the Grammy nominations when they’re announced later this year.
Lamar has been the leading Grammy nominee twice before. He had 11 nominations leading up to the 2016 ceremony, and eight nods leading up to the 2019 ceremony. He has finished second (or in a tie for second) four other times — twice behind Jay-Z and twice behind Beyoncé. If Lamar amasses 11 nominations, he’ll match his personal best. If he garners 12, he’ll tie Michael Jackson (1984) and Babyface (1997) for the most nominations by anyone in any one year.
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The Grammys and BET Awards operate on different timetables. The eligibility year for this year’s BET Awards was March 16, 2024, through March 15, 2025. The eligibility year for the upcoming Grammys is Aug. 31, 2024, through Aug. 30, 2025. And, of course, the Grammys cover all genres, while the BET Awards focus on various forms of Black music. But the BET Awards offer some clues about which way Grammy voters may be leaning.
Three of the BET nominees for album of the year won album awards at the Grammys on Feb. 2. Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter won both best country album and album of the year, Doechii’s Alligator Bites Never Heal won best rap album and Chris Brown’s 11:11 Deluxe won best R&B album. A fourth BET album of the year nominee, Future and Metro Boomin’s We Don’t Trust You, was nominated for a Grammy for best rap album.
The other four BET nominees will be eligible for the 2026 Grammys — Lamar’s GNX, The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow, GloRilla’s Glorious and the Drake-Partynextdoor collab Some $exy $ongs 4U.
GNX seems virtually certain to be Grammy nominated for album of the year. It would be Lamar’s fifth album of the year nomination as a lead artist, which would allow him to break out of a tie with Ye (formerly Kanye West) for the most album of the year nods by a rapper.
Two of the BET nominees for best new artist — Shaboozey and Teddy Swims — were Grammy nominated in that category at this year’s show. Two other BET nominees in that category are presumed to be ineligible for Grammy nominations in that category. Leon Thomas won a Grammy two years ago for co-writing SZA’s “Snooze,” which was voted best R&B song. Ayra Starr was nominated as a performer two years ago for best African music performance for “Rush.”
The five other BET nominees — 41, BigXthaPlug, BossMan Dlow, Dee Billz and October London — are likely to be eligible to compete for the Grammy in that highly competitive category later this year.
Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” which won a Grammy for best music video on Feb. 2, is nominated for BET’s video of the year. Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott and Playboi Carti’s “Type Shit” was also entered in that Grammy category, though it wasn’t nominated.
Luther Vandross is the subject of three BET Awards nominations. Lamar and SZA’s “Luther,” now in its 11th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, is up for both best collaboration and the viewers choice award. And the documentary Luther: Never Too Much is nominated for best movie.
Vandross didn’t receive a lifetime achievement award from the BET Awards. He died in 2005, just four years after the show originated. Vandross, who is widely considered the leading R&B male balladeer of his generation, has yet to receive a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy, either.
In other BET nominations news, Blue Ivy Carter, the 13-year-old daughter of Beyoncé and Jay-Z, is nominated for the Young Stars Award, an award she won last year. The BET allows multiple nominations and wins in that category. Blackish co-star Marsai Martin won it five times. Yara Shaidi and Keke Palmer each won it twice.
Wicked was passed over for a nod for best movie, but Cynthia Erivo is nominated for best actress for her performance in the film. And “Defying Gravity,” by Erivo featuring Ariana Grande, is up for the BET Her award. At the Grammys, Wicked can compete for best compilation soundtrack for visual media, while “Defying Gravity” can compete for best pop duo/group performance.
The 25th BET Awards will be held on Monday (June 9) at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. Comedian Kevin Hart is set to host for the second time.
Kendrick Lamar leads all nominees for the 2025 BET Awards. The “Squabble Up” MC notched 10 nods, including album of the year for GNX, as well as video of the year for his Drake diss “Not Like Us” and three viewer’s choice award notices for “Not Like Us,” “Luther” (feat. SZA) and “Like That” (with Future & Metro Boomin).
Right behind Lamar with six nominations each are Doechii, Drake, Future and GloRilla, with Metro Boomin snagging five and SZA and the Weeknd rolling up four each.
Among Doechii’s noms are album of the year for Alligator Bites Never Heal, as well as video of the year and viewer’s choice award for “Denial Is a River,” BET her for “Bloom,” best collaboration for “Alter Ego” (feat. JT) and best female hip-hop artist.
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Drake’s nominations include album of the year for $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, video of the year for “Family Matters,” viewer’s choice award for “Nokia,” best group with Drake & PartyNextDoor, as well as best male R&B/pop artist and best male hip-hop artist. Future is also in the album of the year mix for We Don’t Trust You (feat. Metro Boomin), with other nods for video of the year for “Type Shit” (with Metro Boomin, Travis Scott and Playboi Carti), best collaboration and viewer’s choice award for “Like That” (with Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar), best group for his collabs with Boomin and best male hip-hop artist.
GloRilla is in the album of the year mix as well for Glorious, along with a viewer’s choice award notice for “TGIF,” best collaboration for “Sticky” (with Tyler, the Creator, Sexyy Red and Lil Wayne), the Dr. Bobby Jones best gospel/inspirational award for “Rain Down on Me,” best female hip-hop artist and BET Her for “In My Bag” (feat. FLO).
The 25th anniversary BET Awards, hosted by comedian Kevin Hart, will air live on BET from the Peacock Theater in L.A. on June 9 at 8 p.m. ET. Voting for the Viewer’s Choice award will open soon.
Check out the full nominations for the 2025 BET Awards below:
Album of the Year$ome $exy $ongs 4 U — Drake & Partynextdoor11:11 Deluxe — Chris BrownAlligator Bites Never Heal — DoechiiCowboy Carter — BeyoncéGlorious — GloRillaGNX — Kendrick LamarHurry Up Tomorrow — The WeekndWe Don’t Trust You — Future & Metro Boomin
Best Female R&B/Pop ArtistAri LennoxAyra StarrCoco JonesKehlaniMuni LongSummer WalkerSZAVictoria Monét
Best Male R&B/Pop ArtistBruno MarsChris BrownDrakeFridayyLeon ThomasTeddy SwimsThe WeekndUsher
Best Group41Common & Pete RockDrake & PartynextdoorFloFuture & Metro BoominJacquees & Dej LoafLarry June, 2 Chainz, The AlchemistMaverick City Music
Best Collaboration“30 For 30” — SZA feat. Kendrick Lamar“Alter Ego” — Doechii feat. JT“Are You Even Real” — Teddy Swims feat. Givēon“Beckham” — Dee Billz feat. Kyle Richh, Kai Swervo, KJ SwervoBless — Lil Wayne, Wheezy & Young Thug“Like That” — Future & Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar“Luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA“Sticky” — Tyler, The Creator feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne“Timeless” — The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti
Best Female Hip Hop ArtistCardi BDoechiiDoja CatGloRillaLattoMegan Thee StallionNicki MinajRapsodySexyy Red
Best Male Hip Hop ArtistBigXthaPlugBossman DLowBurna BoyDrakeFutureKendrick LamarKey GlockLil WayneTyler, The Creator
Video of the Year“3AM in Tokeyo” — Key Glock“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” — Shaboozey“After Hours” — Kehlani“Denial Is a River” — Doechii“Family Matters” — Drake“Not Like Us” — Kendrick Lamar“Timeless” — The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti“Type Shit” — Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Playboi Carti
Video Director of the YearAnderson .PaakB Pace Productions & JacqueesBenny BoomCactus JackCole BennettDave Free & Kendrick LamarDave MeyersFoggierawTyler, The Creator
Best New Artist41Ayra StarrBigXthePlugBossman DLowDee BillzLeon ThomasOctober LondonShaboozeyTeddy Swims
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award“A God (There Is)” — Common & Pete Rock feat. Jennifer Hudson“Amen” — Pastor Mike Jr.“Better Days” — Fridayy“Church Doors” — Yolanda Adams feat. Sir The Baptist & Donald Lawrence (Terry Hunter Remix)“Constant” — Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore & Anthony Gargiula“Deserve to Win” — Tamela Mann“Faith” — Rapsody“Rain Down on Me” — GloRilla feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music
Viewer’s Choice Award“Residuals” — Chris Brown“Denial Is a River” — Doechii“Nokia” — Drake“Like That” — Future & Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar“TGIF” — GloRilla“Not Like Us” — Kendrick Lamar“Luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA“Brokey” — Latto
Best International ActAny Gabrielly (Brazil)Ayra Starr (Nigeria)Basky (UK)Black Sherif (Ghana)Ezra Collective (UK)Joé Dwèt Filé (France)MC Luanna (Brazil)Rema (Nigeria)SDM (France)Tyla (South Africa)Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)Best New International ActAbigail Chams (Tanzania)Ajulicosta (Brazil)Amabbi (Brazil)Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)Dr Yaro (France)KWN (UK)Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa)Merveille (France)Odeal (UK)Shallipopi (Nigeria)TxC (South Africa)
BET Her“Beautiful People” — Mary J. Blige“Blackbiird” — Beyonce feat. Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy & Reyna Roberts“Bloom” — Doechii“Burning” — Tems“Defying Gravity” — Cynthia Erivo feat. Ariana Grande“Heart of a Woman” — Summer Walker“Hold On” — Tems“In My Bag” — Flo & GloRilla
Best MovieBad Boys: Ride or DieBeverly Hills Cop: Axel FLuther: Never Too MuchMufasa: The Lion KingOne of Them DaysRebel RidgeThe Piano LessonThe Six Triple Eight
Best ActorAaron PierceAldis HodgeAnthony MackieColman DomingoDenzel WashingtonJamie FoxxJoey Bada$$Kevin HartSterling K. BrownWill Smith
Best ActressAndra DayAngela BassettCoco JonesCynthia ErivoKeke PalmerKerry WashingtonQuinta BrunsonViola DavisZendayaYoung Stars AwardAkira AkbarBlue Ivy CarterGraceyn “Gracie” HollingsworthHeiress HarrisMelody HurdThaddeus J. MixsonTyrik JohnsonVanVan
Sportswoman of the Year AwardA’ja WilsonAngel ReeseClaressa ShieldsCoco GauffDawn StaleyFlau’jae JohnsonJuju WatkinsSha’Carri RichardsonSimone Biles
Sportsman of the YearAaron JudgeAnthony EdwardsDeion SandersJalen HurtsJayson TatumLeBron JamesSaquon BarkleyStephen Curry
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.
