The 2025 BET Awards held on Monday night, brought on high energy and even higher stakes, as the biggest names in music, film, and sports gathered at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles to honour and recognise Black excellence. Hosted by comedian Kevin Hart, this year’s ceremony became one of the most competitive and talked-about editions yet.Leading the pack is Kendrick Lamar, who scored a staggering 10 nominations including Album of the Year for GNX, Video of the Year for his powerful track “Not Like Us,” and additional recognition for his collaborations with SZA on “30 for 30” and Luther. He was followed by Doechii, Drake, Future and GloRilla, each of whom earned six.Drake made a strong showing with five nominations, including Video of the Year for “Family Matters,” a diss track aimed at Kendrick—a reflection of their much-publicised lyrical feud that has dominated headlines and playlists this year.SZA, a powerhouse in her own right, scored 4 nominations and was a contender in the Best Female Pop/R&B Artist category where she was joined by a list of nominees including Ari Lennox, Arya Starr, Coco Jones, Kehlani, Muni Long, Summer Walker, and Victoria Monét.Metro Boomin led the pack with five nominations, while The Weeknd followed closely with four. Ayra Starr, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Maverick City Music, Playboi Carti, Teddy Swims, and Tyler, the Creator each secured three nominations.Check out the complete winner’s list below: Album of the Year$Ome $Exy $Ongs 4 U – Drake & PartyNextDoor11:11 Deluxe – Chris BrownAlligator Bites Never Heal – DoechiiCowboy Carter – BeyoncéGlorious – GloRillaGNX – Kendrick Lamar: WINNERHurry Up Tomorrow – The WeekndWe Don’t Trust You – Future & Metro BoominBest Female R&B/Pop ArtistAri LennoxAyra StarrCoco JonesKehlaniMuni LongSummer WalkerSZA: WINNERVictoria MonétBest Male R&B/Pop ArtistBruno MarsChris Brown: WINNERDrakeFridayyLeon ThomasTeddy SwimsThe WeekndUsherBest Group41Common & Pete RockDrake & PartyNextDoorFLOFuture & Metro Boomin: WINNERJacquees & Dej LoafLarry June, 2 Chainz, The AlchemistMaverick City MusicBest Collaboration“30 For 30” – SZA Feat. Kendrick Lamar“Alter Ego” – Doechii Feat. JT“Are You Even Real” – Teddy Swims Feat. Giveon“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 CartiBest Female Hip Hop ArtistCardi BDoechii: WINNERDoja CatGloRillaLattoMegan Thee StallionNicki MinajRapsodySexyy RedBest Male Hip Hop ArtistBigXthaPlugBossman DlowBurna BoyDrakeFutureKendrick Lamar: WINNERKey GlockLil WayneTyler, the CreatorVideo 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 CartiVideo Director of the YearAnderson .PaakB Pace Productions & JacqueesBenny BoomCactus JackCole BennettDave Free & Kendrick Lamar: WINNERDave MeyersFoggierawTyler, the CreatorBest New Artist41Ayra StarrBigXthaPlugBossman DlowDee BillzLeon Thomas: WINNEROctober LondonShaboozeyTeddy SwimsDr. 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 (Terry Hunter Remix)” – Yolanda Adams Feat. Sir The Baptist & Donald Lawrence“Constant” – Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore & Anthony Gargiula: WINNER“Deserve To Win” – Tamela Mann“Faith” – Rapsody“Rain Down on Me” – GloRilla Feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City MusicBest New International ActAbigail Chams (Tanzania)Ajuliacosta (Brazil): WINNERAmabbi (Brazil)Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)Dr Yaro (France)kwn (United Kingdom)Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa)Merveille (France)Odeal (United Kingdom)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 & GloRillaBeyond music, the BET Awards continue to spotlight Black excellence in cinema. Films such as The Piano Lesson, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, Rebel Ridge, Luther: Never Too Much, and Mufasa: The Lion King all received nominations. Keke Palmer and SZA’s short film One of Them Days was also recognised for its creative impact.Best MovieBad Boys: Ride Or DieBeverly Hills Cop: Axel FLuther: Never Too Much: WINNERMufasa: The Lion KingOne Of Them DaysRebel RidgeThe Piano LessonThe Six Triple EightBest ActorAaron PierreAldis HodgeAnthony MackieColman DomingoDenzel Washington: WINNERJamie FoxxJoey Bada$$Kevin HartSterling K. BrownWill SmithBest ActressAndra DayAngela BassettCoco JonesCynthia Erivo: WINNERKeke PalmerKerry WashingtonQuinta BrunsonViola DavisZendayaYoungStars AwardAkira AkbarBlue Ivy Carter: WINNERGraceyn “Gracie” HollingsworthHeiress HarrisMelody HurdThaddeus J. MixsonTyrik JohnsonVanvanAthletics were not overlooked. In the Sportswoman of the Year category, WNBA star Angel Reese and her former LSU teammate Flau’jae Johnson are nominated alongside a stellar lineup including A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces), Juju Watkins (USC), Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, track star Sha’Carri Richardson, tennis champion Coco Gauff, boxer Claressa Shields, and South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley.Sportswoman of the Year AwardA’ja WilsonAngel Reese: WINNERClaressa ShieldsCoco GauffDawn StaleyFlau’jae JohnsonJuju WatkinsSha’Carri RichardsonSimone BilesSportsman of the Year AwardAaron JudgeAnthony EdwardsDeion SandersJalen Hurts: WINNERJayson TatumLeBron JamesSaquon BarkleyStephen CurryAs the ceremony continues, fans can expect more show-stopping moments, meaningful tributes, and unforgettable performances—affirming the BET Awards as a cultural cornerstone celebrating Black talent in all its brilliance.
