Kendrick Lamar Was the Top Winner at the 2025 BET Awards
Kendrick Lamar was top winner at the 2025 BET Awards, held in Los Angeles Monday night.
The rapper took home the awards for 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 'Luther.' Lamar also shared the award for video director of the year with his longtime creative partner Dave Free.
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SZA and Chris Brown won best female and male R&B/pop artists, respectively. Doechii also won the award for best female hip-hop artist. During the latter's acceptance speech, the rapper called out President Donald Trump for the 'ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order' amid protests against unlawful immigration raids in Los Angeles.
Other winners included Leon Thomas for best new artist, Denzel Washington for best actor and Cynthia Erivo for best actress.
Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Kirk Franklin and Snoop Dogg were also among the honorees for the 2025 Ultimate Icon Award.
Throughout the ceremony, GloRilla, Ledisi, Leon Thomas, Lil Wayne, Playboi Carti and Teyana Taylor were among those who took to the stage to perform. The night's presenters also included Annie Ilonzeh, Ashley Nicole Moss, Big Tigger, Busta Rhymes, Cam Newton, Ciara, Claudia Jordan, Crystal Renee, DC youngfly, Deon Cole, DeVon Franklin, Diamond White, Drew Sidora, Druski, Erica Mena, Erika Pinkett, Free, Julissa Bermudez, Kai Cenat, Keke Palmer, Ken Lawson, Keshia Chanté, Kerry Washington, Lala Anthony, Letoya Luckett-Coles, Mariah the Scientist, Marques Houston, Quinta Brunson, Stevie Wonder, Terrence J, Tichina Arnold, T.I.P., Tisha Campbell, Tyler James Williams, Tyler Perry and Xavier Smalls.
A 106 & Park 25th anniversary tribute also featured performances by Amerie, Ashanti, B2K, Bow Wow, Jim Jones, Keyshia Cole, Mya and T.I., among others.
Heading into the ceremony, Kendrick Lamar led with 10 nominations, followed by Doechii, Drake, Future and GloRilla with six nods each. Metro Boomin received five noms, while SZA and The Weeknd earned four each.
The 25th BET Awards, hosted by Kevin Hart, were held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles Monday night.
A complete list of this year's BET Awards winners follows.
Drake and PartyNextDoor, $Some $Sexy $Songs 4 UChris Brown, 11:11 DeluxeDoechii, Alligator Bites Never HealBeyoncé, Cowboy CarterGloRilla, GloriousKendrick Lamar, (WINNER)The Weeknd, Hurry Up TomorrowFuture and Metro Boomin, We Don't Trust You
Ari Lennox Ayra StarrCoco JonesKehlaniMuni LongSummer WalkerSZA (WINNER)Victoria Monét
Bruno MarsChris Brown (WINNER)DrakeFridayyLeon ThomasTeddy SwimsThe WeekndUsher
41Common and Pete RockDrake and PartyNextDoor,FLOFuture and Metro Boomin (WINNER)Jaquees and Dej LoafLarry June, 2 Chainz, The AlchemistMaverick City Music
SZA Featuring Kendrick Lamar, 30 For 30Doechii Featuring JT, Alter EgoTeddy swims Featuring Giveon, Are You Even RealDee Billz Featuring Kyle Richh, Kai Swervo, KJ Swervo, BeckhamLil Wayne, Wheezy and Young Thug, BlessFuture, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar, Like ThatKendrick Lamar and SZA, Luther (WINNER)Tyler, The Creator Featuring Glorilla, Sexxy Red and Lil Wayne, StickyThe Weeknd Featuring Playboi Carti, Timeless
Cardi BDoechii (WINNER)Doja CatGloRillaLattoMegan Thee StallionNicki MinajRapsodySexxy Red
BigXThaPlugBossMan DlowBurna BoyDrakeFutureKendrick Lamar (WINNER)Key GlockLil WayneTyler, The Creator
Key Glock, 3AM in ToKEYo Shaboozey, A Bar Song (Tipsy) Kehlani, After HoursDoechii, Denial is a RiverDrake, Family MattersKendrick Lamar, Not Like Us (WINNER)The Weeknd Featuring Playboi Carti, TimelessFuture, Metro Boomin Travis Scott and Playboi Carti, Type Shit
Anderson .PaakB Pace Productions and JacqueesBenny BoomCactus JackCole BennettDave Free and Kendrick Lamar (WINNER)Dave MeyersFoggierawTyler, The Creator
41Ayra StarrBigXThaPlugBossMan DlowDee BillzLeon Thomas (WINNER)October LondonShaboozeyTeddy Swims
Common and Pete Rock Featuring Jennifer Hudson, A God (There Is)Pastor Mike Jr., AmenFridayy, Better DaysYolanda Adams Featuring Sir The Baptist and Donald Lawrence, Church Doors (Terry Hunter Remix)Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore and Anthony Gargiula, ConstantTamela Mann, Deserve to WinRapsody, FaithGloRilla Featuring Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music, Rain Down on Me (WINNER)
Chris Brown, Residuals (WINNER)Doechii, Denial is a RiverDrake, NokiaFuture and Metro Boomin Featuring Kendrick Lamar, Like ThatGloRilla, TGIFKendrick Lamar, Not Like UsKendrick Lamar and SZA, LutherLatto, Brokey
Mary J. Blige, Beautiful PeopleBeyoncé Featuring Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts, BlackbirdDoechii, BloomTems, BurningCynthia Erivo Featuring Ariana Grande, Defying GrafitySummer Walker, Heart of a woman (WINNER)Tems, Hold onFLO and GloRilla, In My Bag
Bad Boys: Ride or DieBeverly Hills Cop: Axel F (WINNER)Mufasa: The Lion KingOne of Them DaysRebel RidgeThe Piano LessonThe Six Triple Eight
Aaron PierreAldis HodgeAnthony MackieColman DomingoDenzel Washington (WINNER)Jamie FoxxJoey Bada$$Kevin HartSterling K. BrownWill Smith
Andra DayAngela BassettCoco JonesCynthia Erivo (WINNER)Keke PalmerKerry WashingtonQuinta BrunsonViola DavisZendaya
Akira AkbarBlue Ivy Carter (WINNER)Graceyn 'Gracie' HollingsworthHeiress HarrisMelody HurdThaddeus J. MixsonTyrik JohnsonVanVan
A'ja WilsonAngel Reese (WINNER)Claressa ShieldsCoco GauffDawn StaleyFlau'Jae JohnsonJuju WatkinsSha'carri RichardsonSimone Biles
Aaron JudgeAnthony EdwardsDeion SandersJalen Hurts (WINNER)Jayson TatumLebron JamesSaquon BarkleyStephen Curry
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