The 2025 BET Awards are shaping up to be both a celebration of Black culture’s future and a tribute to its influential past. Leading the nominations this year is Kendrick Lamar, who secured 10 nods. Lamar’s domination comes as no surprise after a standout year that reestablished his influence across music and culture. Following closely behind, Doechii, Drake, Future, and GloRilla each earned six nominations. The list of multi-nominees also includes heavyweights like SZA, The Weeknd, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, and Tyler, The Creator, alongside rising stars like Ayra Starr and Teddy Swims.
This year’s show will be a landmark event. Marking 25 years of what BET calls “Culture’s Biggest Night,” the ceremony will air live from the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Comedian and actor Kevin Hart is set to host the milestone event, which aims to honor a quarter-century of contributions in music, television, film, and sports.
The BET Experience 2025 will kick off the festivities, running June 5–8 and bringing a series of events to Los Angeles, including a reggae night with Buju Banton at the Hollywood Palladium and the Roots Picnic Experience at the Hollywood Bowl. An R&B-focused night at YouTube Theater will showcase classic acts like Jagged Edge and Donell Jones.
In a nostalgic tribute, the awards show will also spotlight “106 & Park,” commemorating 25 years since the iconic countdown show debuted. A special reunion segment will feature hosts AJ Calloway, Free, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz, and Terrence J, with performances by Bow Wow, B2K, Mýa, Jim Jones, T.I., and more. Scott Mills, a prominent figure at BET, remarked, “106 & Park was more than just a music countdown show; it was the heartbeat of Black youth culture and one of the highest-rated BET programs for over a decade.”
He continued, “From Freestyle Friday to unforgettable live performances, it launched careers, influenced fashion, and became a platform where voices, style, and sound converged. 106 & Park both celebrated and fueled many of the most important musical and culture evolutions that occurred during its two-and-a-half-decade tenure.”
The celebration will begin two days earlier with a Freestyle Friday battle held at BET Experience fan fest, setting the stage for a vibrant series of events leading up to the awards. The BET Awards show will spotlight not only the nominees but also the cultural impact of the artists and shows that have shaped the entertainment landscape.
As for the nominees, the Album of the Year category features a competitive lineup, including “$Ome $Exy $Ongs 4 U” by Drake & Partynextdoor, “11:11 Deluxe” by Chris Brown, and “Glorious” by GloRilla, among others. Best Female R&B/Pop Artist nominees include Ari Lennox, Ayra Starr, and SZA, while Best Male R&B/Pop Artist nominees feature Bruno Mars, Drake, and The Weeknd.
The hip-hop categories are equally stacked, with Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and Future vying for Best Male Hip Hop Artist, and Cardi B, Doechii, and Megan Thee Stallion competing for Best Female Hip Hop Artist. The Video of the Year category includes standout tracks such as “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar and “Timeless” by The Weeknd featuring Playboi Carti.
In addition to music, the awards will honor achievements in film and television. The Best Movie category includes titles like “Bad Boys: Ride Or Die” and “The Piano Lesson,” while the Best Actor and Best Actress nominees feature heavyweights such as Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, and Angela Bassett.
The event promises to be a night of celebration, nostalgia, and recognition of the contributions of Black artists across various fields. With a focus on both legacy and evolution, the 2025 BET Awards are set to be a historic occasion, bridging the past with the present and inspiring the future.
As the countdown begins, fans are eagerly anticipating the performances, tributes, and heartfelt moments that will unfold during this milestone event. Whether tuning in for the iconic reunion of “106 & Park” or to see who takes home the coveted awards, this year’s BET Awards will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression.
With Kendrick Lamar leading the charge and a host of talented artists ready to showcase their work, the 2025 BET Awards are not just a ceremony but a celebration of culture, creativity, and community. As it approaches, excitement builds for what promises to be a night filled with unforgettable memories and groundbreaking moments.
