bet awards

05 Mar 2025

Here’s the Date of the 2025 BET Awards

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.”

09 Jul 2024

2024 BET Awards Scored Highest Viewership With Audiences in 18-49 Demo in Five Years

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.

03 Jul 2024

Lee Daniels, Lena Waithe Among Honored Guests At Culture Creators Brunch

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Culture Creators Leaders & Innovators Awards Brunch

Source: Jerritt Clark / Getty

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.

Culture Creators Leaders & Innovators Awards Brunch

Source: Jerritt Clark / Getty

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.

Culture Creators Leaders & Innovators Awards Brunch

Source: Jerritt Clark / Getty

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. 

Culture Creators: 8th Annual Innovators & Leaders Awards

Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty

03 Jul 2024

Tanner Adell Gets Red-Carpet Ready for the 2024 BET Awards: Shop Her Glam List

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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.

01 Jul 2024

Muni Long Talks Working With ‘Icon’ Mariah Carey on ‘Made for Me’ Remix

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.

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“Mariah’s an icon and every chance I get to work with a legend I jump at it,” she explained, before adding, “I’m so grateful every time something happens. I don’t take anything for granted. Every win, I’m just super excited every time.”

During the ceremony Long was nominated for best female R&B/pop artist, though the award ultimately went to SZA. The original version of “Made For Me” was up for the viewer’s choice award, and the award went to Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em.”

After teasing it back in May, the “Made For Me” remix arrived eight months after Long released the original song, earning the artist her second Billboard Hot 100 top 20 appearance following her 2022 breakthrough platinum smash “Hrs and Hrs,” which peaked at No. 16. “Hrs and Hrs” went on to win best R&B performance at the 2023 Grammy Awards, where she was also up for best R&B song (“Hrs and Hrs”) and best new artist.

Long has released other remixes of “Made For Me” featuring Lil Jon & Kronic, BNYX and more. 

Watch Billboard‘s full red carpet interview with Muni Long at the BET Awards above.

01 Jul 2024

After Usher, Who Should Be the BET Awards’ Next Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient?

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?

01 Jul 2024

BET Awards Apologizes to Usher Over ‘Audio Malfunction’ That Muted Parts of His Speech

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), explaining that technical difficulties caused the breaches. “Due to an audio malfunction during the LIVE telecast, portions of his speech were inadvertently muted,” a spokesperson for the company told Billboard via statement.

“Celebrating global icon USHER on our stage with a star-studded tribute and having him accept his award with a heartfelt speech was an honor,” the rep added, noting that the star’s uninterrupted speech is now available to watch on BET platforms. “We extend our sincere apologies to USHER as we couldn’t be more grateful for his participation in Culture’s Biggest Night.”

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About four minutes of Usher’s acceptance were blocked out during the broadcast. The technical difficulties came just after he thanked Terry Lewis, Babyface, L.A. Reid and Jimmy Jam for being “the men who motivated me, who speak to me, who have spoken to me, who have been solid no matter how f–ked up it may have been.”

The R&B icon’s use of the word “f–k” was censored, but a subsequent “s–t” was not. That’s when the sound dropped out completely, cutting in and out for the next four minutes and causing some to wonder about the content of his speech; however, a Billboard reporter inside the awards show confirmed that Usher barely swore throughout his time on stage and that his remarks didn’t contain any salacious subject matter.

“It is 100% all about my children and making certain that you understand that your dreams can come true if you truly committed, if you are committed to it, if you’re dedicated to something and you find passion and you stay committed to it, this could potentially be you,” he said once the sound was restored. “This could be your moment.”

Watch Usher’s full speech at the BET Awards below:

01 Jul 2024

2024 BET Week in Photos: Coco Jones, Queen Latifah & More

Plus photos of Ari Lennox, Ice Spice, Latto & more.

LL Cool J names NLE Choppa as one of his favorite new artists at the BET Media House on June 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

LL Cool J names NLE Choppa as one of his favorite new artists at the BET Media House on June 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

Julia Beverly/Getty Images

Once again, Black excellence stood front and center during this year’s dual celebration of the BET Awards and Black Music Month. Kendrick Lamar’s surprise The Pop Out – Ken & Friends at the Kia Forum and T-Pain’s co-curated concert at the Hollywood Bowl — both held on the Juneteenth holiday in Los Angeles — catapulted everything into high gear in the days leading up to BET Week 2024.

Those six days before the BET Awards (June 30) were jam-packed with opportunities to hear new music, reunite/network with industry colleagues or just plain chill. There were album listening parties involving a diverse array of artists including Eric Benét, Lucky Daye and Marsha Ambrosius. There were also artist showcases, including Columbia’s featuring R&B newcomers Aqyila, Iniko, Qing Madi and Q and SiriusXM Pandora Presents Coco Jones. There were other awards events such as ASCAP’s annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards honoring Usher, Victoria Monét and Lil Baby, YouTube’s second Leaders and Legends gala honoring Cash Money’s Bryan and Ronald Williams and the 12th annual Culture Creators fete honoring Teyana Taylor, BET executive vp Connie Orlando and more. Also celebrating in full effect on different evenings: Interscope Geffen and Republic with its own “kickback” hang.

Among the weekend highlights were two BET-affiliated concerts. The first (June 28) featured Cardi B, Gunna, Sexyy Red, Davido and Jordan Ward. The next evening (June 29), in partnership with Live Nation Urban, the Roots Picnic: Hip-Hop Is the Love of My Life rolled into the Hollywood Bowl. The 44-song setlist included compelling performances by The Roots (also the night’s back-up band), The Pharcyde, Common, Arrested Development and more. But it was the ladies who brought the house down. Queen Latifah started out the gate with several songs including “Had It Up To Here” before ushering fellow female rap trailblazers The Lady Rage, Monie Love, MC Lyte  and Yo-Yo to the stage — all of whom came together for a rousing take on Latifah’s Grammy-winning hit “U.N.I.T.Y.”

So without further ado, here’s a gallery of photo highlights capturing BET Week 2024.

01 Jul 2024

Usher, Killer Mike, Kendrick Lamar Get Major Wins at 2024 BET Awards

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2024 BET Awards - Show

Source: Christopher Polk / Getty

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.



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.



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. 

01 Jul 2024

Mickey Guyton Calls Kendrick Lamar an ‘Incredible Lyricist,’ Wants to Collab With Snoop Dogg on Country Record

Mickey Guyton pulled up to the 2024 BET Awards on Sunday (June 30), and the country singer stopped to chat with Billboard‘s Carl Lamarre while walking down the red carpet in a pair of Andrea Wazen strappy heels.

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After moving from Texas to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music following her high-school graduation, Guyton is an honorary West Coast resident. It’s impacted her hip-hop consumption as well, with the “Make It Me” artist gushing over California rap legends such as Kendrick Lamar, 2Pac and Snoop Dogg.

“I am here for some Kendrick Lamar,” she tells Billboard. “Him as a lyricist is just so incredible. Obviously love 2Pac, I obviously love Snoop Dogg. I love West Coast hip-hop.”

The 2024 BET Awards host Taraji P. Henson opened the show and showed love to K. Dot by covering Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” performance at his Juneteenth Pop Out concert.

As far as Guyton’s dream collaboration goes in the hip-hop realm, Mickey wants to join forces with Snoop Dogg for a country-tinged team-up.

“I would obviously love to do a little country record with Snoop Dogg,” she proclaimed. “I’m just a huge fan of him — I love his Instagram. I would love to do something with him.”

Fans will have to wait and see if Snoop makes an appearance on MG’s anticipated sophomore album. Guyton unleashed her acclaimed Remember Her Name debut album in 2021, which reached No. 7 on the Heatseekers Album chart. The project was nominated for best country album, while the LP’s title track earned a nom for best country song.

Watch the full interview with Mickey Guyton above.