The 2025 BET Awards Gear Up for a Star-Powered Night of Culture, Legacy and Celebration
The 2025 BET Awards Gear Up for a Star-Powered Night of Culture, Legacy and Celebration
Culture’s biggest night is right around the corner, and the 2025 BET Awards are already setting the stage for an unforgettable celebration.
The BET Awards 2025 is a major cultural moment as the network celebrates 25 years of Black excellence, creativity and influence. This year's ceremony will feature a powerful mix of music, comedy and nostalgia, with more announcements still to come.
The award show is set to air on Monday, June 9, 2025, and comedy superstar Kevin Hart will host the event, bringing his signature humor to a night already packed with talent. Kendrick Lamar leads this year’s nominations with ten, followed by Doechii, Drake, Future and GloRilla with six each. Metro Boomin secured five, while SZA and The Weeknd each earned four.
According to BET, one of the evening’s most anticipated segments is a tribute to the iconic music countdown show 106 & Park, celebrating its 25th anniversary. The tribute, directed by Teyana Taylor and The Aunties Production, will reunite former hosts AJ Calloway, Free Marie Wright, Rocsi Diaz, Terrence J, Julissa Bermudez and Keshia Chanté.
Performers include Bow Wow, Amerie, B2K, Jim Jones, Mya, T.I., and more, bringing back the energy and impact of the culture-defining show.
Leading up to the big night, BET Experience 2025 returns June 5–8 with four days of immersive, fan-focused events during Culture’s Biggest Week.
More performers, honorees, and surprises are still to be announced.
This year’s nominations are fiercely competitive, reflecting the rise of emerging Black talent and a wave of groundbreaking creative projects that made an impact across the industry.
Here are the categories and nominees for this year’s show:
Key Music Categories
Album of the Year
$ome $exy $ongs 4 U – Drake & PartyNextDoor
11:11 Deluxe – Chris Brown
Alligator Bites Never Heal – Doechii
Cowboy Carter – Beyoncé
Glorious – GloRilla
GNX – Kendrick Lamar
Hurry Up Tomorrow – The Weeknd
We Don’t Trust You – Future & Metro Boomin
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist:
Ari Lennox, Ayra Starr, Coco Jones, Kehlani, Muni Long, Summer Walker, SZA, Victoria Monét
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist:
Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, Drake, Fridayy, Leon Thomas, Teddy Swims, The Weeknd, Usher
Best Group:
41, Common & Pete Rock, Drake & PartyNextDoor, FLO, Future & Metro Boomin, Jacquees & Dej Loaf, Larry June, 2 Chainz & The Alchemist, Maverick 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 B, Doechii, Doja Cat, GloRilla, Latto, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, Rapsody, Sexyy Red
Best Male Hip Hop Artist:
BigXthaPlug, Bossman DLow, Burna Boy, Drake, Future, Kendrick Lamar, Key Glock, Lil Wayne, Tyler, the Creator
Film, TV & Cultural Honors
Best Movie:
Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, Luther: Never Too Much, Mufasa: The Lion King, One of Them Days, Rebel Ridge, The Piano Lesson, The Six Triple Eight
Best Actor:
Aaron Pierre, Aldis Hodge, Anthony Mackie, Colman Domingo, Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Joey Bada$$, Kevin Hart, Sterling K. Brown, Will Smith
Best Actress:
Andra Day, Angela Bassett, Coco Jones, Cynthia Erivo, Keke Palmer, Kerry Washington, Quinta Brunson, Viola Davis, Zendaya
YoungStars Award:
Akira Akbar, Blue Ivy Carter, Graceyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth, Heiress Harris, Melody Hurd, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Tyrik Johnson, VanVan
Visual Excellence & Emerging Talent:
Video of the Year
“3 AM 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 .Paak, B Pace Productions & Jacquees, Benny Boom, Cactus Jack, Cole Bennett, Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar, Dave Meyers, Foggieraw, Tyler, the Creator
Best New Artist:
41, Ayra Starr, BigXthaPlug, Bossman DLow, Dee Billz, Leon Thomas, October London, Shaboozey, Teddy Swims
International and Inspirational
Best International Act
Any Gabrielly (Brazil), Ayra Starr (Nigeria), Bashy (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)
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
“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
BET Her:
“Beautiful People” – Mary J. Blige
“Blackbiird” – Beyoncé 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
Sports Honors:
Sportswoman of the Year
A’ja Wilson, Angel Reese, Claressa Shields, Coco Gauff, Dawn Staley, Flau’jae Johnson, Juju Watkins, Sha’Carri Richardson, Simone Biles
Sportsman of the Year
Aaron Judge, Anthony Edwards, Deion Sanders, Jalen Hurts, Jayson Tatum, LeBron James, Saquon Barkley, Stephen Curry
The BET Awards 2025 will air soon, and it’s guaranteed to be a historic night of music, culture, and unforgettable moments. Stay locked in for exclusive coverage, live updates, and behind-the-scenes content on our Instagram and website. You won’t want to miss a beat of Culture’s Biggest Night.
