2025 BET Awards: Kendrick Lamar wins big and Playboi Carti performs

Kendrick Lamar was the biggest winner at the 2025 BET Awards, taking home four prizes including album of the year for GNX. Comedian Kevin Hart was the host on a night that also saw wins for SZA, Doechii, and Future & Metro Boomin.

In addition to album of the year, Lamar also won best male hip-hop artist, video of the year for “Not Like Us,” and best collaboration alongside SZA for their song “Luther.”

Stevie Wonder presented the Ultimate Icon award to Jamie Foxx while there were also lifetime achievement awards for Snoop Dogg and Mariah Carey. The latter was among the artists playing live, with Carey joined by Rakim to perform her new song “Type Dangerous.”

Other artists who performed at the event included Playboi Carti, GloRilla, Teyana Taylor, and Leon Thomas.

Accepting her award for best female hip-hop artist, Doechii called out the “ruthless” attacks currently happening on protestors in Los Angeles. The ceremony was held at the Peacock Theater, close to where the immigration protests are taking place.

See below for a full list of winners from the 2025 BET Awards as well as a round-up of the stand out musical spots.

*winners in bold

Album of the Year

Drake & Partynextdoor, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U
Chris Brown, 11:11 Deluxe
Doechii, Alligator Bites Never Heal
Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter
GloRilla, Glorious
Kendrick Lamar, GNX
The Weeknd, Hurry Up Tomorrow
Future & Metro Boomin, We Don’t Trust You

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

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

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

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

Best Group

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

Best Collaboration

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

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

Video of the Year

Key Glock, “3AM in Tokeyo”
Shaboozey, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
Kehlani, “After Hours”
Doechii, “Denial Is a River”
Drake, “Family Matters”
Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us”
The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti, “Timeless”
Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Playboi Carti, “Type Shit”

Video Director of the Year

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

Best New Artist

41
Ayra Starr
BigXthaPlug
Bossman DLow
Dee Billz
Leon Thomas
October London
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims