Twenty-five years in, the BET Awards still don’t miss. The 2025 edition was more than a spectacle. It was a Black cultural checkpoint, reminding the world that while trends may change, the influence of Black creativity is forever.

Live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, host Kevin Hart brought sharp comedy, introspection, and the energy of a show that knew exactly what it was doing. The 25th anniversary wasn’t just a milestone, it was a mirror to how far Black entertainment has come, and how wide its wings now span.

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Kendrick Took the Crown—Again

Kendrick Lamar made the night his own, collecting five major awards, including:

• Album of the Year – GNX
• Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
• Video of the Year – “Not Like Us”
• Best Collaboration – “Luther” ft. SZA
• Video Director of the Year (shared with Dave Free)

Kendrick didn’t just win—he dominated. His clean sweep proved that art rooted in Black truth, rage, joy, and vision can still rise to the top even when it refuses to water itself down.

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Doechii's Moment

Doechii claimed Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, a long-overdue recognition of her sonic rebellion and cultural flair. In her acceptance speech, she didn’t hold back—calling out political injustice and standing firm on the power of being a Black woman in rap, unfiltered and unbought.

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A 106 & Park Homecoming

For those who lived through the days of flip phones and ringtone charts, the 106 & Park reunion was a full-circle moment. Bow Wow, T.I., Keyshia Cole, Mýa, and B2K took the stage not to chase nostalgia, but to remind us: Black culture has always been the main event.

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Icon Energy Only

This year’s Ultimate Icon Awards hit different. Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg, and Kirk Franklin were all honored four names who’ve shaped the sound, humor, soul, and style of Blackness over decades.

Jamie Foxx’s return to the spotlight following his 2023 medical emergency was particularly powerful. He stood with purpose, reminding the crowd and himself that Black resilience is unmatched. “This second chance, I’m not wasting it,” he said. And we believed him.

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Praise + Trap: The Gospel According to Glo

In one of the most talked-about performances of the night, GloRilla, Kirk Franklin, and Maverick City Music delivered “Rain Down on Me”. It wasn’t just a genre mashup. It was a spiritual collision grit meeting grace on the altar of Black sound. The track also won the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award.

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New Stars, Same Power

• Leon Thomas took home Best New Artist, confirming what many already knew—he’s next.
• Blue Ivy Carter won YoungStars Award, showing that legacy meets talent in real time.
• Angel Reese and Jalen Hurts were named Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year, respectively—because Black excellence doesn’t stop at the mic.

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25 Years Later, We Still Set the Tone

The BET Awards have never just been about trophies. They’re about telling the truth of Black life loud, layered, luminous. And this year was no exception.

At Unruly, we know this: Black culture isn’t made to be mainstream. It’s made to move the world. From Kendrick’s rage to GloRilla’s gospel to Blue Ivy’s legacy in motion this was a night that held a mirror to our power and said, “We are still the blueprint.”

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