2025 BET Awards: Kendrick Lamar Dominates, Doechii Speaks Out
© BET Awards
The 25th annual BET Awards, held on June 9 at Los Angeles’s Peacock Theater and hosted by Kevin Hart, delivered high-voltage performances, cultural moments, and major award wins by Kendrick Lamar that spotlighted Black excellence in music, film, television, and sports.
Kendrick Lamar Sweeps the Stage
Kendrick Lamar led the night with 10 nominations, taking home five awards—a standout feat. His wins included:
- Album of the Year for GNX
- Video of the Year for “Not Like Us”
- Best Male Hip Hop Artist
- Video Director of the Year (shared with Dave Free)
- Viewer’s Choice for “Not Like Us”
Lamar’s commanding presence reaffirmed his cultural weight and cemented GNX as a defining work of 2025.
Doechii’s Bold Moment
Doechii was crowned Best Female Hip Hop Artist and used her acceptance speech to criticize the federal government’s military response to L.A. immigrant protests, calling for increased dialogue and justice for marginalized communities.
Standouts & Special Tributes
- SZA won Best Female R&B/Pop Artist and jointly shared Best Collaboration with Lamar for “Luther.”
- Chris Brown took Best Male R&B/Pop Artist and Viewer’s Choice honors.
- Leon Thomas was named Best New Artist—a rising star to watch.
- On the film and TV front, Denzel Washington and Cynthia Erivo claimed Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively.
- The evening also celebrated Black cultural icons: Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx, and Kirk Franklin received Ultimate Icon Awards.
A Night of Performance & Reflection
The celebration featured electrifying performances by Ashanti, Lil Wayne, GloRilla, Teyana Taylor, and a nostalgic 106 & Park reunion showcasing B2K, Bow Wow, and more. Doechii’s acceptance speech served as a poignant reminder of music’s power to highlight social issues beyond entertainment.
Why This Moment Matters
- Cultural legacy: The awards affirmed BET’s role in uplifting Black voices, creativity, and influence.
- Political resonance: Doechii’s remarks underscored the ongoing intersection of art and civic commentary at cultural events.
- Artistic dominance: Kendrick’s sweep highlighted GNX as a critical touchstone in hip-hop’s evolution and influence.
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