The 2025 BET Awards pulled out all the stops for its 25th anniversary.
Hosted by Kevin Hart, this year’s edition of the BET Awards featured flashy performances, beloved throwbacks and poignant tributes to legends past and present. Throughout the night, the show kept the party going with memorable comedic bits from Hart, nostalgic moments to celebrate 25 years and powerhouse vocals from artists like Jennfier Hudson, Leon Thomas III and more.
Ahead, see all the moments from the nearly five-hour ceremony we won’t forget.
Best Bling: Busta Rhymes’ Ring (and $100 Bills)
Busta Rhymes was the shining star of the BET Awards red carpet — literally. The rapper looked dapper in a classic black-and-white tux with a jeweled brooch on the lapels. On his gloves, he sported a massive cross sparkler, and he enhanced the luxe to the max with some Benjamins in his coat pocket.
Oops, Kevin Hart Can’t Stop Laughing!
During his opening monologue, host Kevin Hart cracked jokes about Cardi B, Playboi Carti, Kanye West and more, but he couldn’t help himself when ribbing Ultimate Icon Award recipient Kirk Franklin.
“Kirk, do me a favor. When you get your award tonight, don’t come up here front twerking,” he joked through his own laughter as the musician covered his face. “He be trying to blame it on the Lord. The Lord didn’t ask for that.”
Best Night to Relive the ’00s
In honor of the hip hop and R&B music video show 106 & Park‘s 25th anniversary, former presenters Big Tigger, Keshia Chante, Free, Julissa Bermudez, and Terrence J reunited to emcee a series of throwback hits from the aughts. Ashanti began the elaborate tribute with “Rock Wit U (Aww Baby)” and “Foolish,” followed by Amerie, Mya, Keyshia Cole, T.I., B2K and Bow Wow.
Best Acceptance Speech: Doechii
After winning best female hip hop artist, her first BET Award, Doechii turned attention toward the Los Angeles protests in her acceptance speech.
“As much as I’m honored by this award, I do want to address what’s happening right now outside of the building,” she began after showing appreciation to the ceremony and her fellow nominees. “There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order.”
The rapper concluded, to the audience’s applause: “We all deserve to live in hope and not in fear, and I hope we stand together, my brothers and my sisters, against hate and we protest against it. Thank you, BET.”
Rising Stars: Leon Thomas III and Ravyn Lenae
Two rising stars on the charts, Leon Thomas III and Ravyn Lenae, lit up the BET stage with their viral songs “Mutt” and “Love Me Not.” The Victorious alum — who won best new artist later in the night — sang his face off while ripping his electric guitar to his R&B cut, currently at a peak of No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. Then, Lenae enchanted the crowd with an ethereal performance of her dreamy hit that’s sure to get stuck in your head after one listen.
Worst Night to Be ‘Vintage’
Before presenting best new artist, Deon Cole tried gauging the demographic of women in the audience by reciting lyrics to songs from different eras, from Usher and GloRilla to El DeBarge. When his co-presenter Dominique Thorne, 27, started singing along to DeBarge’s 1982 hit “I Like It,” to Cole’s surprise.
“I like music from the ancestors,” the Marvel actress quipped, and Cole quickly cut to the nominees.
Most Questionable Song Choice for In Memoriam: ‘The Secret Garden’
Don’t get us wrong: Lucky Daye, Miles Caton and Lucas James sounded incredible on their rendition of the late legend Quincy Jones’ “The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite).” But during the In Memoriam segment, kicking off the performance with a sexy “say ladies” and yearning vocals came out of left field tonally.
Worst Person to Edit Footage: Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder’s got jokes! The iconic musician gave a heartfelt speech to preview close friend Jamie Foxx’s Ultimate Icon Award. To round out the introduction, he made a cheeky reference to his blindness before the career retrospective video played.
“To be clear, I spent tireless hours watching and editing the footage for this tribute tonight. So please pay attention and enjoy,” the singer-songwriter said.
Best Night to Be Jamie Foxx
On top of Wonder’s special appearance, Foxx was honored with a medley performance featuring Ludacris, Jennifer Hudson, T-Pain and more. The Ultimate Icon Award honoree became visibly emotional as he watched in the audience, and he proceeded to accept the honor with an equally moving (and humorous) speech. He spoke about his 2023 hospitalization, thanked his community and family and even asked for Kirk Franklin’s workout routine.
“I ain’t going to turn down. I’m not going to stop crying,” the actor said. “At a certain point I’m gonna stop crying, but I ain’t gonna stop just yet.”
Worst Time Management
Despite being slated for three and a half hours, the BET Awards ran an hour and 15 minutes past schedule.
We love a grand jubilee, and we love celebrating legends and the best of the best. But no awards show needs to be that long. We could’ve cut down one of the drawn-out bits, like Hart’s Usher cosplay, or the Walmart Father of the Year sketch, or Kai Cenat and Druski jumping up and down onstage with Hart for a good couple minutes before introducing Playboi Carti.
Read the full article here
