BET Awards 2025: How to Watch, Host, Performers, Nominees, and More

The BET Awards are officially turning 25, and Monday night’s anniversary ceremony is shaping up to be one of the biggest nights in Black entertainment. With Kevin Hart returning as host, Kendrick Lamar leading the nominations, and a long-awaited tribute to 106 & Park, this year’s show has all the makings of a cultural touchstone. If you’re planning to watch the celebration live, here is everything you need to know about the BET Awards 2025, from start time to streaming options and the star-studded lineup.

How to Watch and Stream the BET Awards 2025

The 25th annual BET Awards will air live on BET on Monday, June 9, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. The network is kicking things off early with a red-carpet pre-show at 6 p.m. ET, so viewers can catch all the fashion and arrivals before the main event begins.

For cord-cutters, BET is widely available through several live TV streaming services, including Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, and YouTube TV, provided your package includes BET. BET also offers its own livestream through the ‘LIVE TV’ option on the official BET website, or via the BET Now app on smart TVs. No matter how you tune in, the show is positioned to be appointment viewing for music and pop culture fans alike.

Kevin Hart Returns to Host

Comedy superstar Kevin Hart is taking the reins for the milestone event. The four-time Emmy winner has hosted the BET Awards before to widespread acclaim, and his chemistry with live audiences makes him a natural fit for an anniversary show of this scale. Hart’s presence adds an extra layer of unpredictability and humor, and fans can expect his signature quick-witted monologue and playful interactions with the celebrity-packed crowd.

Given his track record with major award shows and his massive crossover appeal, tapping Hart for the 25th anniversary underscores BET’s commitment to making this year feel like an event. His return is likely to help drive ratings and make the show one of the most talked-about broadcasts of the year.

Who Is Performing at the BET Awards 2025?

For its silver anniversary, BET has assembled an eclectic and exciting lineup of performers. The scheduled acts span generations and styles, from hip-hop heavyweights to R&B veterans. Here is the list of announced performers:

• Lil Wayne
• Teyana Taylor
• GloRilla
• Playboi Carti
• Leon Thomas
• Ledisi
• Keyshia Cole

That mix of new-school energy and classic soul should give the show a broad appeal. Lil Wayne’s presence alone is enough to generate buzz, while GloRilla and Playboi Carti bring the current rap scene to the forefront. Teyana Taylor, Ledisi, and Keyshia Cole provide vocal firepower and emotional depth, ensuring the musical moments span everything from hard-hitting bars to stirring ballads.

Kendrick Lamar Leads the Nominees

Kendrick Lamar enters the BET Awards with a commanding 10 nominations, more than any other artist this year. It’s been a remarkable awards season for the rapper, who took home four Grammys earlier this year for Not Like Us, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. His Super Bowl halftime performance also remains a major cultural talking point, adding to the momentum he carries into Monday night.

Behind Lamar, a cluster of heavy hitters follows with six nominations each, including Doechii, Future, GloRilla, and Drake. Metro Boomin earned five nods, while The Weeknd and SZA round out the top contenders with four apiece. With that much talent in the mix, competition will be fierce across categories ranging from Best Hip-Hop Artist to Song of the Year.

The Lamar-Drake dynamic, a major storyline in hip-hop over the past year, adds an intriguing competitive edge. Both artists are nominated in key categories, and viewers will be watching closely to see how the rivalry plays out on the BET stage.

A Special Tribute to 106 & Park

One of the most anticipated segments of the night is a special tribute to 106 & Park, the beloved music video countdown show that helped shape BET’s identity. The program premiered 25 years ago and became a cultural institution, providing a daily platform for Black music and pop culture when few other outlets offered that space.

To honor the show’s legacy, BET has lined up several former hosts for the tribute, including AJ Calloway, Free Marie Wright, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz, and Terrence J. The musical portion will be delivered by Bow Wow, Amerie, B2K, Jim Jones, Mya, and T.I., all of whom have deep ties to the 106 & Park era.

For longtime viewers, this tribute will likely be an emotional trip down memory lane. It also highlights how much BET has meant to the careers of countless artists who relied on the show to connect with fans before the streaming era.

Ultimate Icon Award Honorees

This year’s Ultimate Icon Award will celebrate four legendary entertainers whose influence extends far beyond music and film. The honorees are:

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

Each honoree represents a different lane of Black excellence, from Carey’s record-shattering vocals and Foxx’s multi-hyphenate career to Franklin’s transformative impact on gospel music and Snoop Dogg’s enduring presence in hip-hop and popular culture. The award is designed to recognize artists who have not only achieved great success but also paved the way for future generations.

Why the 25th Anniversary Matters

Reaching a quarter-century is a major milestone for any awards show, especially in an era when live television audiences are fragmenting across streaming platforms and social media. The BET Awards have remained a vital gathering space for Black culture, and the 25th anniversary is both a reflection on the past and a statement about the future. With a host like Kevin Hart, a loaded nominee list, and tributes to touchstone moments like 106 & Park, this year’s show is designed to honor the legacy while still feeling current.

As Black entertainment continues to dominate the global conversation, the BET Awards remain a powerful reminder of the industry’s cultural and commercial influence. Monday night’s broadcast is more than just an awards show—it’s a celebration of resilience, creativity, and community.

With so much star power in one room, the 25th annual BET Awards could easily go down as one of the most memorable installments in the show’s history. All eyes will be on Kevin Hart, Kendrick Lamar, and a stage full of icons ready to make history again.

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