Kendrick Lamar, Mariah Carey Headline BET Awards/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The 25th annual BET Awards promises a star-studded celebration with Kendrick Lamar leading nominations and appearances from Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, and Kevin Hart. The event will honor musical icons and reunite past hosts from “106 & Park.” Expect powerful tributes, top-tier performances, and fierce competition across music, acting, and sports categories.
BET Awards 2025 Quick Looks
- Lamar Leads Nominations: 10 nods for Kendrick Lamar, including Album of the Year.
- Star-Studded Tributes: Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg, Kirk Franklin honored.
- High-Energy Performances: Lil Wayne, GloRilla, Playboi Carti and more to perform.
- Host Returns: Kevin Hart brings the laughs for a second BET Awards hosting stint.
- “106 & Park” Reunion: Original hosts and stars return for a nostalgic tribute.
- Big Names in Acting: Will Smith, Viola Davis, Denzel Washington, Zendaya nominated.
- Live Broadcast: Show airs June 9, 8 PM ET from Peacock Theater, L.A.
Deep Look: BET Awards Turns 25 with All-Star Celebration, Lamar Domination, and Nostalgic Tributes
The BET Awards hits a milestone this Monday, celebrating 25 years of Black excellence in entertainment with an all-star lineup and a slate of high-profile nominees. This year’s ceremony, airing live from Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater at 8 PM ET, promises a blend of music, memory, and momentous tributes.
Kendrick Lamar Leads the Pack
Rapper Kendrick Lamar tops the leaderboard with 10 nominations, including Album of the Year for GNX and nods for his Drake-diss anthem “Not Like Us” — which already nabbed Song and Record of the Year at the Grammys.
Lamar’s 2025 BET Awards domination reflects his resurgent cultural impact. Fresh off a high-profile halftime performance and his Grand National Tour with SZA, Lamar’s presence reinforces his status as one of the most influential voices in modern music.
Ultimate Icon Honors: Carey, Foxx, Snoop, Franklin
The BET Awards will present the Ultimate Icon Award to four genre-defining figures: Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg, and Kirk Franklin. Honorees were selected for not only shaping entertainment but also for their social advocacy and community influence.
Whether they’ll receive individual tributes is still under wraps, but their presence alone adds gravitas to an already packed lineup.
Who’s Performing?
A-list performers set to electrify the stage include:
- Lil Wayne – Rap icon expected to perform new material.
- GloRilla – Rising star with six nominations.
- Teyana Taylor – Known for cinematic stagecraft.
- Playboi Carti – Known for his rebellious, avant-garde sets.
- Leon Thomas – Singer-songwriter delivering smooth R&B vibes.
Kevin Hart Returns as Host
“It’s a chance to reflect, cherish, and honor life’s unforgettable moments,” said Hart, who has a long-standing relationship with BET through projects like Real Husbands of Hollywood and Comic View.
Nostalgia Reigns: ‘106 & Park’ Revival
BET is turning back the clock to honor “106 & Park,” the beloved countdown show that defined hip-hop and R&B culture for a generation. Hosts A.J. Calloway, Free, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz, and Terrence J are all set to reunite on stage.
The tribute performance will feature early-2000s icons including:
- Bow Wow (aka Mr. 106 & Park)
- Amerie
- B2K
- Jim Jones
- Mya
- T.I.
“It was the heartbeat of Black youth culture,” said BET CEO Scott Mills, reflecting on the legacy of the weekday afternoon staple that ran from 2000 through the early 2010s.
Tight Races in Acting and Sports Categories
This year’s acting categories are stacked with some of Hollywood’s finest.
Best Actor Nominees Include:
- Denzel Washington
- Jamie Foxx
- Kevin Hart
- Sterling K. Brown
- Will Smith
- Joey Bada$$
Best Actress Contenders:
- Viola Davis
- Zendaya
- Keke Palmer
- Angela Bassett
- Coco Jones
- Quinta Brunson
Top Sports Nominees:
- LeBron James
- Stephen Curry
- Jalen Hurts
- Simone Biles
- Angel Reese
With pop culture titans across sports, acting, and music in attendance, the 25th BET Awards aims to be not just a night of recognition — but a full-scale celebration of legacy, influence, and Black excellence.
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