2025 BET Awards: How to Watch, Nominees & More

Culture’s biggest night is right around the corner — and this year marks a major milestone. In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the 2025 BET Awards promises to be a star-studded tribute to Black excellence in music, film, TV, sports and philanthropy. The only way to watch the celebration live is on BET (Black Entertainment Television).

Get all the information you need right here to be ready to tune in to the BET Awards live, from how to watch to all the nominees and more.

Keep up with all things Awards Season with MyEntertainment from DIRECTV!

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When are the 2025 BET Awards?

Tune in to the annual BET Awards live from Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Monday, June 9th at 8 p.m. ET.

How to Watch BET Awards in 2025?

Catch the 2025 BET Awards on BET (DIRECTV channel 329) and experience the unforgettable performances, emotional tributes and history-making moments live from the comfort of your home.

Who is Hosting the BET Awards?

Kevin Hart is expected to bring his comedy and charisma to the stage as host of the BET Awards for the first time since 2011.

Who is Performing at the BET Awards?

Fans can look forward to unforgettable performances from top Black entertainers, including Lil Wayne, Teyana Taylor, GloRilla, Playboi Carti, Leon Thomas and more.

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2025 BET Awards Nominations

Kendrick Lamar leads the pack with an impressive 10 nominations at this year’s BET Awards, including Album of the Year, Best Male Hip Hop Artist and Best Collaboration. Rising stars Doechii and GloRilla join other top contenders Drake and Future, who each earned six nominations.

Check out the full list of BET Award nominees here:

Album of the Year

• 11:11 (Deluxe) – Chris Brown
• Alligator Bites Never Heal – Doechii
• Cowboy Carter – Beyoncé
• Glorious – GloRilla
• GNX – Kendrick Lamar
• Hurry Up Tomorrow – The Weeknd
• Some Sexy Songs 4 U – Drake and PartyNextDoor
• We Don’t Trust You – Future and Metro Boomin

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
• “Timeless” – The Weeknd featuring Playboi Carti
• “Type Shit” – Future and Metro Boomin featuring Travis Scott and Playboi Carti

Viewer’s Choice Award

• “Residuals” – Chris Brown
• “Denial Is a River” – Doechii
• “Nokia” – Drake
• “Like That” – Future and Metro Boomin featuring Kendrick Lamar
• “TGIF” – GloRilla
• “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar
• “Luther” – Kendrick Lamar featuring SZA
• “Brokey” – Latto

Best Collaboration

• “30 for 30” – SZA featuring Kendrick Lamar
• “Alter Ego” – Doechii featuring JT
• “Are You Even Real” – Teddy Swims featuring Giveon
• “Beckham” – Dee Billz featuring Kyle Richh, Kai Swervo and KJ Swervo
• “Bless” – Lil Wayne, Wheezy and Young Thug
• “Like That” – Future and Metro Boomin featuring Kendrick Lamar
• “Luther” – Kendrick Lamar featuring SZA
• “Sticky” – Tyler, the Creator featuring GloRilla, Sexyy Red and Lil Wayne
• “Timeless” – The Weeknd featuring Playboi Carti

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

• Bruno Mars
• Chris Brown
• Drake
• Fridayy
• Leon Thomas III
• Teddy Swims
• The Weeknd
• Usher

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

• Ari Lennox
• Ayra Starr
• Coco Jones
• Kehlani
• Muni Long
• Summer Walker
• SZA
• Victoria Monét

Best Female Hip Hop Artist

• Cardi B
• Doechii
• 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
• Key Glock
• Lil Wayne
• Tyler, the Creator

Best New Artist

• 41
• Ayra Starr
• BigXthaPlug
• BossMan Dlow
• Dee Billz
• Leon Thomas III
• October London
• Shaboozey
• Teddy Swims

Best Group

• 41
• Common and Pete Rock
• Drake and PartyNextDoor
• Flo
• Future and Metro Boomin
• Jacquees and Dej Loaf
• Larry June, 2 Chainz and The Alchemist
• Maverick City Music

BET Her Award

• “Beautiful People” – Mary J. Blige
• “Blackbiird” – Beyoncé
• “Bloom” – Doechii
• “Burning”– Tems
• “Defying Gravity” – Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande
• “Heart of a Woman” – Summer Walker
• “Hold On” – Tems
• “In My Bag” – Flo and GloRilla

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award

• “A God (There Is)” – Common and Pete Rock featuring Jennifer Hudson
• “Amen” – Pastor Mike Jr.
• “Better Days” – Fridayy
• “Church Doors” – Yolanda Adams featuring Sir the Baptist and Donald Lawrence
• “Constant” – Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore and Anthony Gargiula
• “Deserve to Win” – Tamela Mann
• “Faith” – Rapsody
• “Rain Down on Me” – GloRilla featuring Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music

Video Director of the Year

• Anderson .Paak
• B Pace Productions and Jacquees
• Benny Boom
• Cactus Jack
• Cole Bennett
• Dave Free and Kendrick Lamar
• Dave Meyers
• Foggieraw
• Tyler, the Creator

Best Movie

• Bad Boys: Ride or Die
• Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
• Luther: Never Too Much
• 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
• Jamie Foxx
• Joey Badass
• Kevin Hart
• Sterling K. Brown
• Will Smith

Best Actress

• Andra Day
• Angela Bassett
• Coco Jones
• Cynthia Erivo
• Keke Palmer
• Kerry Washington
• Quinta Brunson
• Viola Davis
• Zendaya

Sportswoman of the Year

• A’ja Wilson
• Angel Reese
• 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
• Jayson Tatum
• LeBron James
• Saquon Barkley
• Stephen Curry

Best International Act

• Any Gabrielly (Brazil)
• Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
• Bashy (United Kingdom)
• Black Sherif (Ghana)
• Ezra Collective (United Kingdom)
• Joé Dwèt Filé (France)
• MC Luanna (Brazil)
• Rema (Nigeria)
• SDM (France)
• Tyla (South Africa)
• Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)

Best New International Act

• Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
• Ajuliacosta (Brazil)
• Amabbi (Brazil)
• DLALA THUKZIN (South Africa)
• Dr. Yaro (France)
• KWN (United Kindgom)
• Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa)
• Merveille (France)
• Odeal (United Kingdom)
• Shallipopi (Nigeria)
• TxC (South Africa)

YoungStars Award

• Akira Akbar
• Blue Ivy Carter
• Graceyn Hollingsworth
• Heiress Diana Harris
• Melody Hurd
• Thaddeus J. Mixon
• Tyrik Johnson
• Van Van

Lifetime Achievement Award (Special Award)

• TBD

BET Ultimate Icon Award

Given its the 25th anniversary of the ceremony, the BET Awards are going all out in 2025, including by honoring four titans of music and entertainment with the BET Ultimate Icon Award. Those entertainment moguls include:

• Mariah Carey
• Jamie Foxx
• Kirk Franklin
• Snoop Dogg

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What are the BET Awards?

The BET Awards were established in 2001 to celebrate the invaluable achievements of Black entertainers and other minorities across the entertainment sphere, encompassing music, film, sports and philanthropy. With live performances, moving tributes and the presentation of some of the most prestigious awards in the business — including the Ultimate Icon Award — it’s a night in Hollywood not to be missed.

In its 25th year, the awards continue to serve as a cultural beacon, elevating and amplifying Black voices across industries.

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