The 2025 BET Awards, held on June 9, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, delivered an unforgettable celebration of Black excellence in music, film, television, and sports. Hosted by the charismatic Kevin Hart, the 25th anniversary of the awards show was a star-studded spectacle, featuring electrifying performances and heartfelt tributes. Kendrick Lamar led the night, taking home five awards from his ten nominations, solidifying his reign as a hip-hop powerhouse. Here’s the full rundown of winners and key highlights from the night.
This was also a milestone for BET Awards history, as it marked the 25th anniversary of the prestigious event. Kendrick Lamar, fresh off his record-breaking Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, entered the 2025 BET Awards with a leading ten nominations.
Lamar’s GNX was praised for its lyrical depth and cultural impact, while “Not Like Us” continued its viral dominance, earning both critical and fan acclaim. His collaboration with SZA on “Luther” showcased his versatility, blending hip-hop with soulful R&B. Posts on X erupted with excitement, with fans calling Lamar’s wins a “victory lap” for his monumental year.
Kendrick Lamar 2025 BET Aawards
- Album of the Year – GNX
- Best Male Hip Hop Artist
- Video of the Year – “Not Like Us”
- Best Collaboration – “Luther” (with SZA)
- Video Director of the Year – Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
Full List of Winners list Below
Album of the Year
WINNER: GNX — Kendrick Lamar
- $ome $exy $ongs 4 U — Drake & Partynextdoor
- 11:11 Deluxe — Chris Brown
- Alligator Bites Never Heal — Doechii
- Glorious — GloRilla
- Cowboy Carter — Beyoncé
- Hurry Up Tomorrow — The Weeknd
- We Don’t Trust You — Future & Metro Boomin
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
WINNER: SZA
- Ari Lennox
- Ayra Starr
- Coco Jones
- Kehlani
- Muni Long
- Summer Walker
- Victoria Monét
ADVERT
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
WINNER: Chris Brown
- Drake
- Bruno Mars
- Fridayy
- Leon Thomas
- Teddy Swims
- The Weeknd
- Usher
Best Group
WINNER: Future & Metro Boomin
- Common & Pete Rock
- 41
- Drake & Partynextdoor
- Flo
- Jacquees & Dej Loaf
- Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist
- Maverick City Music
Best Collaboration
WINNER: “Luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA
- “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
- “Sticky” — Tyler, The Creator feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne
- “Timeless” — The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
- Doja Cat
- GloRilla
- Latto
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Nicki Minaj
- Rapsody
- Sexyy Red
- Cardi B
WINNER: Doechii
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
WINNER: Kendrick Lamar
- BigXthaPlug
- Bossman DLow
- Burna Boy
- Drake
- Key Glock
- Future
- Lil Wayne
- Tyler, The Creator
Video Director of the Year
WINNER: Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
- Anderson .Paak
- B Pace Productions & Jacquees
- Cactus Jack
- Benny Boom
- Dave Meyers
- Foggieraw
- Tyler, The Creator
- Cole Bennett
Best New Artist
WINNER: Leon Thomas
- Ayra Starr
- BigXthaPlug
- BossMan Dlow
- Dee Billz
- October London
- Shaboozey
- Teddy Swims
- 41
Viewer’s Choice Award
WINNER: “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
WINNER: “Heart of a Woman” — Summer Walker
- “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
- “Hold On” — Tems
- “In My Bag” — Flo & GloRilla
Best Actor
WINNER: Denzel Washington
- Aaron Pierce
- Anthony Mackie
- Aldis Hodge
- Jamie Foxx
- Joey Bada$$
- Kevin Hart
- Sterling K. Brown
- Will Smith
Best Actress
WINNER: Cynthia Erivo
- Coco Jones
- Angela Bassett
- Andra Day
- Keke Palmer
- Kerry Washington
- Quinta Brunson
- Viola Davis
- Zendaya
Best Movie
WINNER: Luther: Never Too Much
- Bad Boys: Ride or Die
- Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
- Mufasa: The Lion King
- One of Them Days
- Rebel Ridge
- The Piano Lesson
- The Six Triple Eight
Young Stars Award
WINNER: Blue Ivy Carter
- Graceyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth
- Akira Akbar
- Heiress Harris
- Melody Hurd
- Thaddeus J. Mixson
- Tyrik Johnson
- VanVan
Sportsman of the Year
WINNER: Jalen Hurts
- Stephen Curry
- Saquon Barkley
- LeBron James
- Jayson Tatum
- Deion Sanders
- Anthony Edwards
- Aaron Judge
Sportswoman of the Year Award
WINNER: Angel Reese
- Claressa Shields
- Coco Gauff
- Dawn Staley
- Flau’jae Johnson
- Juju Watkins
- Sha’Carri Richardson
- Simone Biles
- A’ja Wilson
This year’s ceremony was a powerful reminder of the BET Awards’ role in amplifying Black voices. From Kendrick Lamar’s lyrical dominance to Ayra Starr’s global Afrobeats takeover, the winners reflected the diversity and dynamism of Black culture. Social commentary also took center stage, with artists like Doechii addressing immigration raids and systemic issues, resonating with audiences both in the theater and online.
Kendrick Lamar’s sweep sets the stage for his continued influence, with rumors of new projects and collaborations swirling. Ayra Starr, fresh off her Best International Act win, is gearing up for a global tour with Coldplay, while Doechii’s rising star power hints at more bold moves in hip-hop. The BET Awards 2025 not only honored today’s talent but also set the tone for the future of Black entertainment.