BET Awards Winners 2025: Kendrick Lamar’s ‘GNX’ Is Album of the Year, Doechii Named Best Female Hip-Hop Artist

Kendrick Lamar was the biggest winner of the 25th BET Awards on Monday night. Broadcasting live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, the show crowned SZA as best female R&B and pop artist, while Doechii took home her first BET trophy for best female hip-hop artist.

Lamar claimed four awards, including album of the year for “GNX,” best male hip-hop artist, video of the year for “Not Like Us,” and best collaboration alongside SZA for their chart-topping hit “Luther.” Lamar also shared a video director of the year win with longtime creative partner Dave Free.

Stevie Wonder presented the Ultimate Icon award to Jamie Foxx, adding that he first connected with Foxx when the latter was tasked to portray Ray Charles in the 2004 biopic. In a tribute-style medley, Babyface performed on the piano and provided vocals on a medley of Foxx’s “Unpredictable,” and Charles’ “Night Time Is the Right Time” and “I’ve Got a Woman,” alongside guest performers Ludacris, Tank, Craig Robinson, Jennifer Hudson, Doug E. Fresh and T-Pain.

Also recognized as an Ultimate Icons, Busta Rhymes presented the award to Mariah Carey, who earned her first BET win with this honor. Snoop Dogg was also recognized as an Ultimate Icon by 50 Cent, and Kirk Franklin was introduced by T.I.

Comedian Kevin Hart hosted the ceremony for a second time, following a stint in 2011, and opened the night with back-to-back laughs and wildcard innuendos. Without hesitation, Hart daringly joked about controversial hip-hop figures, including Kanye West, who has shown aggressive antisemitic behavior for years.

“We all saw ‘Sinners,’ don’t let his ass in here,” Hart joked about West, referencing Ryan Coogler’s vampire film. “So he can bite somebody. So he can bite Playboi Carti again — Playboi Carti definitely been bit.”

In a rapid-style lineup dedicated to uplifting the legacy of “106 and Park,” BET’s hip-hop and R&B music video show, Ashanti delivered the first performance of the evening, followed by Jim Jones and Amerie. Keyshia Cole, Mya, T.I., Bow Wow and the boy band B2K also appeared in the high-energy greeting.

BET AWARDS WINNERS LIST

Album of the Year
$ome $exy $ongs 4 U — Drake & Partynextdoor
11:11 Deluxe — Chris Brown
Alligator Bites Never Heal — Doechii
Cowboy Carter — Beyoncé
Glorious — GloRilla
GNX — Kendrick Lamar (WINNER)
Hurry Up Tomorrow — The Weeknd
We Don’t Trust You — Future & Metro Boomin

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Ari Lennox
Ayra Starr
Coco Jones
Kehlani
Muni Long
Summer Walker
SZA (WINNER)
Victoria Monét

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Bruno Mars
Chris Brown (WINNER)
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 (WINNER)
“Sticky” – Tyler, the Creator feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne
“Timeless” – The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti

Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi B
Doechii (WINNER)
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 (WINNER)
Key Glock
Lil Wayne
Tyler, the Creator

Video of the Year
“3AM in Tokeyo” – Key Glock
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – Shaboozey
“After Hours” – Kehlani
“Denial Is a River” – Doechii
“Family Matters” – Drake
“Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar (WINNER)
“Timeless” – The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti
“Type Shit” – Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Playboi Carti

Video Director of the Year
Anderson .Paak
B Pace Productions & Jacquees
Benny Boom
Cactus Jack
Cole Bennett
Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar (WINNER)
Dave Meyers
Foggieraw
Tyler, the Creator

Best New Artist
41
Ayra Starr
BigXthaPlug
Bossman DLow
Dee Billz
Leon Thomas (WINNER)
October London
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
“A God (There Is)” – Common & Pete Rock feat. Jennifer Hudson
“Amen” – Pastor Mike Jr.
“Better Days” – Fridayy
“Church Doors” – Yolanda Adams feat. Sir The Baptist & Donald Lawrence
“Constant” – Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore & Anthony Gargiula
“Deserve to Win” – Tamela Mann
“Faith” – Rapsody
“Rain Down on Me” – Glorilla feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music (WINNER)

Viewer’s Choice Award
“Residuals” – Chris Brown (WINNER)
“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 New International Act
Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
Ajulicosta (Brazil) (WINNER)
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
“Beautiful People” – Mary J. Blige
“Blackbiird” – Beyoncé feat. Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy & Reyna Roberts
“Bloom” – Doechii
“Burning” – Tems
“Defying Gravity” – Cynthia Erivo feat. Ariana Grande
“Heart of a Woman” – Summer Walker (WINNER)
“Hold On” – Tems
“In My Bag” – FLO & GloRilla

Best Movie
Bad Boys: Ride or Die
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
Luther: Never Too Much (WINNER)
Mufasa: The Lion King
One of Them Days
Rebel Ridge
The Piano Lesson
The Six Triple Eight

Best Actor
Aaron Pierre
Aldis Hodge
Anthony Mackie
Colman Domingo
Denzel Washington (WINNER)
Jamie Foxx
Joey Bada$$
Kevin Hart
Sterling K. Brown
Will Smith

Best Actress
Andra Day
Angela Bassett
Coco Jones
Cynthia Erivo (WINNER)
Keke Palmer
Kerry Washington
Quinta Brunson
Viola Davis
Zendaya

YoungStars Award
Akira Akbar
Blue Ivy Carter (WINNER)
Graceyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth
Heiress Harris
Melody Hurd
Thaddeus J. Mixson
Tyrik Johnson
VanVan

Sportswoman of the Year Award
A’ja Wilson
Angel Reese (WINNER)
Claressa Shields
Coco Gauff
Dawn Staley
Flau’jae Johnson
Juju Watkins
Sha’Carri Richardson
Simone Biles

Sportsman of the Year
Aaron Judge
Anthony Edwards
Deion Sanders
Jalen Hurts (WINNER)
Jayson Tatum
LeBron James
Saquon Barkley
Stephen Curry