What You Need to Know About the 2025 BET Awards

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The 2025 BET Awards are officially here. Set to air LIVE from Los Angeles today, at 8 p.m. EST on BET, this year’s edition will be the 25th.

“We’re setting the tone for a night that celebrates 25 years of impact, creativity, and Black culture,” said Connie Orlando, EVP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET. “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.”

Indeed, there is an impressively eclectic group of stars slated to take the stage. With

hosting,

and

are some of the names performing on “Culture’s Biggest Night.”

Ledisi

Playboi Carti

and Leon Thomas are also set to perform.

It was also previously announced that BET will celebrate the 25th anniversary of beloved music video countdown show 106 & Park with a tribute that features former hosts AJ Calloway, “Free” Marie Wright, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz, and Terrence J.

A variety of accomplished standard-bearers and innovators are being honored with this year’s BET Ultimate Icon Award: including music megastar Mariah Carey, triple threat Jamie Foxx, hip-hop godfather Snoop Dogg and gospel chart-topper Kirk Franklin. The honor celebrates "decades of groundbreaking contributions to music, entertainment, advocacy and community impact."

Kendrick Lamar leads the list of BET Award nominees this year with ten; Doechii, GloRilla, Drake, and Future each have six nominations. Metro Boomin scored five nominations while SZA and The Weeknd both are up for four awards.

Tyler the Creator, Arya Starr, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Maverick City Music, Teddy Swims and Playboi Carti all have three nominations.

Earlier this year, Hart shared his enthusiasm for returning to host the BET Awards — which he first got to do back in 2011.

“I love a celebration! It’s a chance to reflect, cherish and honor life’s unforgettable moments. I’m truly honored to host the 25th BET Awards and celebrate the culture’s biggest night,” Hart said via a statement. “It’s a Black-Tie affair, and you’re all invited.”

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

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 .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
BigXthePlug
Bossman DLow
Dee Billz
Leon Thomas
October London
Shaboozey
Teddy 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 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