The 2025 BET Awards were underway Monday in Los Angeles, celebrating Black excellence across music, TV, film and sports. Kevin Hart hosted the ceremony, which took place at the Peacock Theater downtown and celebrated its 25th year.
Kendrick Lamar had a leading 10 nominations coming into tonight, winning four of his categories, including Album of the Year, Best Male Hip Hop Artist and Video of the Year. Doechii, Drake, Future and GloRilla followed with six nominations apiece, while Metro Boomin had five and SZA and The Weeknd had four each. Doechii and GloRilla clinched their first-ever BET wins tonight.
BET has been going all-in on the ceremony’s 25th anniversary, hosting a BET Experience fan fest at the Los Angeles Convention Center downtown all week. Over the past few days, the area has seen protests against ICE raids that have led to an increase in police presence, as well as the federal government calling in the National Guard.
Show organizers said they were monitoring the situation, and that tonight’s show would go on as planned. Upon accepting the first award of the night — Doechii for Best Female Hip Hop Artist — the “Alter Ego” rapper drew attention to the “ruthless attacks” in a powerful speech condemning president Donald Trump’s actions.
Featuring performances from GloRilla, Ledisi, Leon Thomas, Lil Wayne, Playboi Carti, Teyana Taylor, Mya, Keyshia Cole, B2K and more — as well as a tribute to the iconic 106 & Park — the show is being telecast across BET, MTV, MTV2, Pop, Logo, CMT, Paramount Network and NAN.
One of the biggest nights celebrating Black pop culture, the fete drew celebrities like Keke Palmer, Shaboozey, Tyler Perry, Jennifer Hudson and more. Those being honored with the Ultimate Icon Award are Snoop Dogg, Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx and Kirk Franklin.
Below is the winners list. Keep checking back.
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 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 Swervo“Bless” — 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 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 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 Act
Abigail 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
The post Kendrick Lamar Sweeps, Clinching Album Of The Year & Video Of The Year — BET Awards 2025 Winners List appeared first on Deadline.
