BET Awards 2025 to Celebrate 25th Anniversary with Ultimate Icon Honors and Star-Studded Lineup

Los Angeles, May 29, 2025 — The BET Awards are back, marking a milestone 25th anniversary with a spectacular celebration set to honor some of the most influential icons in entertainment. This year’s ceremony will spotlight the legendary talents of Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx, and Kirk Franklin, all of whom will receive the prestigious Ultimate Icon Award for their remarkable impact on music, culture, and community advocacy.

The awards show, scheduled to air live on June 9 from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, promises a night filled with unforgettable performances and tributes. Kendrick Lamar leads the nominations this year with an impressive 10 nods, including Album of the Year for his critically acclaimed project GNX. His viral diss track “Not Like Us,” born from a high-profile feud with Drake, also garnered nominations for Video of the Year and Viewer’s Choice Award.

Lamar’s dominance over the music scene was cemented earlier this year when he swept the Grammys, winning both Song and Record of the Year for “Not Like Us.” His groundbreaking halftime show further made history as the first solo hip-hop act to headline that coveted slot. Currently, Kendrick is on the road with his Grand National Tour alongside SZA, who herself earned four BET nods this year.

Other top contenders include Doechii, Drake, Future, and GloRilla, each with six nominations, while Metro Boomin boasts five. Fans can also look forward to electrifying performances by rap legend Lil Wayne, rising star GloRilla, powerhouse singer Teyana Taylor, Playboi Carti, and Leon Thomas.

Adding extra excitement, comedian and actor Kevin Hart will host the star-studded event. Known for his sharp wit and dynamic stage presence, Hart calls this year’s BET Awards a “black-tie affair” and a moment to reflect and celebrate life’s most unforgettable moments. Having previously hosted the awards in 2011 and starred in BET originals like Real Husbands of Hollywood, Hart’s return as host is highly anticipated.

A heartfelt tribute will also honor the legacy of BET’s iconic music countdown show 106 & Park, a cultural cornerstone for over a decade and the heartbeat of Black youth culture. Former hosts including A.J. Calloway, Free, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz, and Terrence J. will reunite on stage, alongside performances by Bow Wow, Amerie, B2K, Jim Jones, Mya, T.I., and the iconic Mr. 106 & Park. This homage promises to evoke nostalgia and celebrate the show’s enduring influence.

While individual tributes for Carey, Snoop, Foxx, and Franklin have not been confirmed, their recognition as Ultimate Icon recipients highlights their profound contributions not only to entertainment but also to social advocacy and community empowerment.

The BET Awards also feature a fiercely competitive acting category, spotlighting nominees such as Aaron Pierre, Aldis Hodge, Anthony Mackie, Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Kevin Hart, Sterling K. Brown, and Will Smith for Best Actor. The Best Actress race includes powerhouse performances by Andra Day, Angela Bassett, Coco Jones, Cynthia Erivo, Keke Palmer, Kerry Washington, Viola Davis, Zendaya, and more.

In the sports category, stars like Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Simone Biles, Angel Reese, and Jalen Hurts vie for top honors, highlighting the event’s celebration of excellence across entertainment and athletics.

As the BET Awards commemorate a quarter-century of spotlighting Black excellence and culture, the 2025 ceremony promises to be a landmark event filled with iconic moments, star-studded performances, and a powerful celebration of legacy.