The 2025 BET Awards featured heartfelt speeches, high-wattage performances and a wave of 2000s period nostalgia. With the pre-show and purple carpet kicking off at 6pm EST, the awards ceremony started dwell from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles at 8pm; host Kevin Hart opened issues with some digs on the Diddy trial, Jamie Foxx’s well being and Kanye West–all whereas working in a Sinners reference. Co-hosts all through the evening included DC Youngfly and MC Lyte, with Cam Newton and Ashley Nicole Moss asserting the launch of the sports-themed spinoff present 106 & Sports activities.
There was no scarcity of robust performances by GloRilla, Lil Wayne (“Welcome To Tha Carter,” “A Milli”), Playboi Carti, Teyana Taylor (“Lengthy Time”), and Ledisi (“BLKWMN”), Leon Thomas (“Mutt”) and Mariah Carey hit the stage alongside Anderson. Paak, D-Good and Rakim to carry out her new single, “Kind Harmful.” Heartfelt tributes to Angie Stone (Brittney Spencer), Quincy Jones (Luke James, MIles Canton and Fortunate Daye), and Roberta Flack (Audra Day.) And Hart was heart stage for a Actual Husbands of Hollywood reunion with Nick Cannon, Boris Kodjoe, Duane Martin, Robin Thicke and JB Smoove.
The present paid tribute to 4 Final Icon honorees: Dr. Dre honored his longtime collaborator Snoop Dogg; Busta Rhymes gave an prolonged salute to Mariah Carey; gospel innovator Kirk Franklin was honored; as was award-winning singer/actor/comic Jamie Foxx.
Listed below are the ten finest moments of the evening, ranked.
10. Snoop Dogg Runs By means of the ClassicsAfter an intro from his compatriot Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg took the stage to thank his collaborators, fellow honorees and household–particularly his spouse, Shante Broadus. The Doggfather then rocked the group with a run of traditional hits like “Drop It Like It’s Scorching” and “Nuthin’ However a ‘G’ Thang” with visitors starting from Charlie Wilson to Kurupt and Warren G sharing the highlight.
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9. Tyler Perry’s SpeechTyler Perry spoke at size concerning the energy of Black storytelling. Whereas introducing Ledisi, Perry talked concerning the present political pushback towards variety and fairness efforts throughout the nation. “They assume if our kids don’t know our historical past they received’t know our energy,” he stated whereas stating that all of us must prioritize leaving footprints for others to observe–earlier than a soul stirring efficiency of “BLKWMN” by Ledisi.
8. Playboi Carti Our bodies “Like Weezy” PerformanceTaking the stage with Lil Wayne within the viewers, Playboi Carti lived as much as his well-liked Music tune title when he served up an electrical efficiency of “Like Weezy” for the viewers. Simply peep the group; even Kendrick was feeling the vibes.
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7. Mariah Carey, Rakim and Anderson.Paak on “Kind Harmful”D-Good kicked issues off by bringing viewers into Membership Mariah with a sampler of her hits, then the diva herself took the stage with Anderson .Paak on drums to carry out her new single “Harmful Kind.” Rakim made a shock look to rap his verse from Eric B. & Rakim‘s traditional single “Eric B. Is President,” which is sampled closely in “Kind Harmful.”
6. Kendrick Lamar wins Album Of The YearKDot received Finest Male Hip-Hop Artist, Video of the Yr for “Not Like Us” and Finest Collaboration with SZA for “Luther.” He additionally shared the award for video director of the 12 months along with his longtime inventive companion Dave Free. And the Compton emcee took residence the award for Album Of The Yr, with host Kevin Hart acknowledging how massive a run KDot is at present on. Lamar acknowledged BET for the function the platform has performed in his profession from the very starting.
5. Bow Wow, Ashanti and T.I. Headline Tribute to 106 & Park Recognizing 25 years since its 2000 debut, beloved BET staple 106 & Park was celebrated with a lineup of previous hosts that included Terrence J and “Free” Marie Wright, in addition to a gap medley of Y2K period chart-toppers like Ashanti, Jim Jones, Amerie, Bow Wow, Mya, T.I. and a shock B2K reunion.
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4. Doechii Calls Out Trump Whereas accepting her award for Finest Feminine Hip-Hop Artist, Doechii gave a shoutout to the significance of the awards (“That is my first BET award, so this implies so much to me. I grew up watching this.”) and known as out the present administration and political local weather. “There are ruthless assaults which might be creating concern and chaos in our communities,” she stated, whereas urging individuals to advocate and protest. “What sort of presidency is that?”
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3. Kirk Franklin Ends the Evening on a Godly excessive
The gospel famous person spoke about religion and music’s skill to heal as he accepted one of many evening’s Final Icon awards. Then Franklin took the stage to carry out a medley of hits alongside Tamar Braxton, Muni Lengthy, Jamal Roberts and Salt from Salt-N-Pepa–proof optimistic that no person in gospel blends eras or genres higher.
2. Stepping again into The BasementBig Tigger’s run on Rap Metropolis was acknowledged with a throwback to the present’s traditional freestyle sales space segments. With a particular look from Child Capri, Ludacris made a shock look to remind anybody who wanted it that he’s bought one of the vital revered appearances on the unique present. And naturally, Kevin Hart made an look to spoof the present.
1. Jamie Foxx Goes for The Coronary heart
Stevie Marvel was on-hand to current multi-hyphenate Jamie Foxx with one of many evening’s Final Icon awards. Foxx took the chance to be each heartfelt about his well being points (“You’ll be able to’t undergo one thing like that and testify”) and hilariously poke enjoyable at his longtime good friend Stevie. Funnyman Craig Robinson launched Babyface and Ludacris; with Tank and Jennifer Hudson performing Ray Charles’ hits in recognition of Foxx’s award-winning efficiency as the enduring singer. Doug E. Recent, Teddy Riley and T-Ache additionally powered by an lively rendition of Foxx’s smash “Blame It.”
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