The 2025 BET Awards: Kendrick Lamar Dominates a Night of Black Excellence in Music, Film, and Culture

Celebrating 25 years of elevating Black voices across music, film, television, and sports, the 2025 BET Awards returned in grand fashion, delivering a night that balanced legacy with fresh talent. Hosted by Kevin Hart, the ceremony cemented Kendrick Lamar’s reign as the most lauded artist of the evening.

Leading the nominations with ten nods, Lamar emerged the night’s big winner, securing Album of the Year for GNX, Video of the Year for “Not Like Us,” and the Viewer’s Choice Award, among others. His presence was felt in nearly every category, often competing against himself through various collaborations, such as “Luther” with SZA and “Like That” with Future & Metro Boomin.

Other artists who made a strong showing included Doechii, Drake, Future, and GloRilla, each earning six nominations. SZA and The Weeknd each earned four nominations, while rising stars like Ayra Starr and Teddy Swims continued to build industry buzz.

The evening also honored industry legends: Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg, and Kirk Franklin were each recognized with the Ultimate Icon Award, a tribute to their enduring impact on Black entertainment and culture.

Below is a complete list of 2025 BET Awards winners in major categories:

Album of the Year

$ome $exy $ongs 4 U — Drake & Partynextdoor

11:11 Deluxe — Chris Brown

Alligator Bites Never Heal — Doechii

Glorious — GloRilla

GNX — Kendrick Lamar

Hurry Up Tomorrow — The Weeknd

We Don’t Trust You — Future & Metro Boomin

Cowboy Carter — Beyoncé

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

Best New Artist

41 Ayra Starr

Bigxthaplug

Bossman Dlow

Dee Billz

Leon Thomas

October London

Shaboozey

Teddy Swims

Best International Act

Any Gabrielly (Brazil)

Ayra Starr (Nigeria)

Bashy (United Kingdom)

Black Sherif (Ghana)

Ezra Collective (United Kingdom)

Joé Dwèt Filé (France)

Mc Luanna (Brazil)

Rema (Nigeria)

SDM (France)

Tyla (South Africa)

Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)

BET HER Award

“Beautiful People” — Mary J. Blige

“Blackbiird” — Beyoncé feat. Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy & Reyna Roberts