Key Takeaways
- The BET Awards 2025 will celebrate 25 years of Black excellence in entertainment, highlighting both legends and rising stars.
- The event has faced a controversial history involving violence and security issues, which organizers are addressing head-on this year.
- Artists like Lil Wayne, Teyana Taylor, and GloRilla represent the evolving landscape of Black music and cultural influence.
The Countdown is On: A Night of Black Entertainment Excellence
On Monday, June 9, 2025, the 25th Annual BET Awards will take over the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, promising a night filled with bold performances, emotional moments, and a celebration of Black excellence in entertainment. As the network marks a quarter-century of honoring the artists, visionaries, and creatives shaping the culture, this year’s event is more than just an award show—it’s a milestone.
So what can fans expect this year?
A Star-Packed Lineup
BET isn’t holding back for its 25th anniversary. The confirmed performers read like a cultural mixtape of influence and edge:
- Lil Wayne brings the legacy.
- Teyana Taylor brings the passion.
- GloRilla brings the streets.
- Playboi Carti brings the chaos.
- Leon Thomas brings the soul.
Hosting duties fall to Kevin Hart, returning for the first time since 2011. His quick wit, cultural awareness, and comedic timing make him a strategic pick to balance celebration with commentary.
Also returning is the BET Experience (BETX) from June 5–8, a weekend full of concerts, comedy shows, fan activations, and Black-owned business expos—a reminder that this isn’t just a show, it’s an ecosystem of community and commerce.
The Culture, the Cameras, and the Chaos
But we can’t talk about the BET Awards without addressing the shadow that sometimes follows the spotlight.
Over the years, the BET Awards has seen its share of controversy and violence—a painful truth that can’t be ignored.
- In 2014, a shooting at an unofficial BET Awards pre-party left one person dead and another wounded.
- In 2016, fights broke out at affiliated afterparties, raising questions about event security.
- There have also been multiple incidents of backstage beefs, sudden artist pull-outs, and last-minute cancellations tied to personal and industry conflicts.
Though BET itself has worked hard to distance the official ceremony from unaffiliated parties and drama, the association with volatile moments has hurt the brand’s reputation in some circles.
This year, organizers have reportedly tightened security, limited access credentials, and collaborated with LAPD and private security firms to ensure the weekend goes off without incident. The BET Awards deserves to be remembered for its moments of glory, not for moments of grief.
25 Years of Impact
Despite the bumps in the road, there’s no denying the BET Awards has served as a launchpad, healing ground, and cultural mirror.
Where else have we seen:
- Prince honored by Erykah Badu, Bilal, and The Roots in 2016?
- Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar blow up the stage with “Freedom” in 2016?
- Diddy’s 2022 tribute medley that spanned generations of hip-hop royalty?
These aren’t just moments—they’re milestones in the cultural timeline.
And now, in 2025, we’re likely to see tributes to both the past 25 years and the next 25. Expect nods to artists like Missy Elliott, Outkast, and Lauryn Hill, alongside rising stars making their mark on this next wave.
What to Watch For
Here’s what we’ve got our eyes on:
- Album of the Year Showdown: Will it be SZA? J. Cole? Or someone unexpected?
- Hip-Hop Dominance vs. R&B Resurgence: Is the pendulum swinging back to vocalists?
- Surprise Appearances: Rumors are swirling around Jay-Z and Rihanna. Nothing’s confirmed… yet.
- Tributes: Expect a major one for Andre 3000, who’s seen a renaissance in 2025 with his ambient flute album—and yes, it’s nominated.
How to Watch
You can catch the BET Awards 2025 live on BET, BET Her, and VH1, with streaming available via BET+ and Paramount+. Red carpet coverage begins at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET, and the ceremony airs live at 8 p.m. PT / 11 p.m. ET.
For fans who want to be in the mix, BETX is still selling last-minute tickets and offering meet-and-greet packages through Ticketmaster and official BET partners.
The BET Awards may carry baggage from its past, but it also carries the weight of a legacy—a legacy of Black artistry, resilience, and celebration. In a world that often sidelines Black creativity, this is our night, our stage, and our story.
Let’s see who rises, who surprises, and who sets the tone for the next 25.
