The BET Awards are celebrating their 25th anniversary. Credit to Christopher Polk.
Los Angeles, California (June 11, 2025)- Los Angeles played host to a landmark celebration this year as the BET Awards marked their 25th anniversary with a show that honored the past, electrified the present, and pointed boldly toward the future. With a dazzling lineup that brought together generations of Black excellence from across music and entertainment, the night unfolded as more than just an award show — it became a living chronicle of cultural legacy, innovation, and resilience.
Kendrick Lamar, Tyler Perry, and Lil Wayne were among the A-list names who graced the event, but the real heartbeat of the evening came from the convergence of artists who’ve helped shape Black music into what it is today. BET bestowed the Ultimate Icon Award on four luminaries — Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx, Mariah Carey, and Kirk Franklin — each of whom stood as living testaments to longevity, creativity, and reinvention. Their presence on stage was not just symbolic, but actively thrilling. Foxx, who didn’t perform, gave one of the evening’s most emotional speeches, opening up about his stroke recovery with grace and gravity. “You can’t go through something like that and not testify,” he said. “A career that I could only thank God for.” It was a moment that grounded the ceremony in something deeper than spectacle — the hard-fought journey behind every accolade.
The night was far from just a celebration of icons. It was also a launchpad for the next generation. Playboi Carti, fresh off his tour with The Weeknd, lit up the stage with cuts from his chart-dominating album, including “Like Weezy” and “Rather Lie,” proving why his fanbase is one of the most loyal and ravenous in modern rap. GloRilla took center stage with a Michael Jackson–inspired look and high-octane delivery of her anthem “Let Her Cook,” before bringing out Keyshia Cole for a powerful crossover moment with their song “Typa,” which sampled Cole’s own 2005 classic “Love.” Teyana Taylor made a triumphant return after stepping away from music, performing her new single “Long Time” from the upcoming Escape Room project. She moved like someone who never left, commanding the stage with robotic dancers and a sleek, R&B-infused sonic palette that signaled a thrilling new era for the artist.
Leon Thomas turned vulnerability into a superpower with a raw performance of his breakout single “Mutt,” wielding his guitar and voice with theatrical finesse that left the room hanging on every syllable. Ledisi followed Tyler Perry’s galvanizing speech with “BLKWMN,” a powerful ode to the strength of Black women, performed as images of trailblazers flashed behind her — turning her performance into a spiritual offering of gratitude and pride.
The icons, of course, reminded everyone why they earned that title. Mariah Carey brought the house down with the debut performance of her latest single “Type Dangerous,” supported by Anderson .Paak on drums and an elegant cameo from Rakim. It was the kind of performance that felt like a masterclass in pop divadom — lavish, polished, and precise. Snoop Dogg revisited the biggest hits of his legendary career with a medley that included “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and “Nuthin’ But a G Thang,” joined by West Coast staples Warren G and Kurupt. He even called on Charlie Wilson for a nostalgic trip through The Gap Band’s “Outstanding,” turning the theater into a full-blown West Coast house party.
Jamie Foxx received one of the night’s most riveting tributes, with artists like Babyface, Jennifer Hudson, Tank, and Ludacris honoring different phases of his musical journey. The medley culminated with Doug E. Fresh, Teddy Riley, and T-Pain breathing new life into “Blame It,” fusing old-school soul with futuristic production, vocoders, and celebratory chaos. Foxx watched, visibly moved, as his own artistry was reflected back to him through the voices of legends.
The In Memoriam segment provided a moment of tenderness, as Andra Day channeled the spirit of Roberta Flack with a stunning rendition of “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” honoring not only Flack but also the broader community of artists lost over the last year. R&B talents Lucky Daye, Luke James, and Miles Caton paid tribute to the genius of Quincy Jones with “The Secret Garden,” a smooth and sultry performance that could’ve benefited from a stronger song choice but nonetheless showcased their vocal chemistry.
Midway through the night, the stage transformed into a time machine with a vibrant reunion of 106 & Park hosts — Free, Terrence J, Big Tigger, Julissa Bermudez, and Keshia Chanté — who each introduced legends of the 2000s countdown era. Ashanti serenaded with “Foolish” and “Baby,” T.I. turned up with vintage Atlanta energy, and Bow Wow closed the set with a throwback explosion that had the whole room bouncing.
As the ceremony neared its end, the spotlight turned to Kirk Franklin, who didn’t just close the show — he elevated it. After receiving his Ultimate Icon honor, Franklin led a tour de force performance of his most beloved gospel hits, including “Stomp,” “Silver & Gold,” and “Revolution.” Joined by DC Young Fly, the segment became less of a performance and more of a revival — a spirit-drenched celebration that sent the audience out on a collective high.
From the nostalgic to the prophetic, the sacred to the turnt-up, BET’s 25th anniversary was a stunning reflection of the network’s enduring mission: to uplift, to spotlight, and to unify through the power of Black creativity. For one night in Los Angeles, the past and future of Black music weren’t just honored — they danced together, side by side, as the culture roared on.
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