The 2025 BET Awards live broadcast, with a live broadcast that ran more than four hours, was a night that saddled up to Black greatness and delivered it a full bouquet. Celebrating 45 years of the network, there was no lack of legendary performances, passionate speeches and iconic moments that will not be forgotten. Here are five takeaways that made the show unforgettable.
106 & Park Power
BET’s signature series 106 & Park took us back with a countdown of the most requested performers that dominated the late ’90s and early 2000s. From Ashanti and Amerie to Keisha Cole, T.I. and more, they took the stage and dropped the tracks that are still charting on our personal playlists today.
Iconic Performances
Leon Thomas III rocking us out. Teyana Taylor giving us futuristic insight on love gone wrong. GloRilla cooking it down. The performances were five-alarm, with everyone who leaving it all on the stage. Mega producer Tyler Perry introduced Ledisi, who sang ‘BLKWMN ,’ while images from her video, which was directed by Perry, flashed behind her, featuring of Black female artists, politicians and activists who have changed our world.
Honoring the Icons
The four legends honored with the Ultimate Icon Award did not disappoint. Busta Ryhmes led the honors for Mariah Carey, who had earlier performed dripping in gold. She shared it was her first Icon Award (so why not start with the best honor possible) and encouraged us to be a diva and a boss but be iconic while you’re doing it.
Dr. Dre introduced his long-time collaborator and friend, Snoop Dogg, who brought his wife, Shante Broadus, on stage to share in his special moment and then gave us a “1,2, 3 and to the 4” performance with a roster of rap greats.
Special guest Stevie Wonder introduced a teary-eyed Jamie Foxx, who was serenaded by a series of artists paying him homage, shared that as he watched the “In Memoriam,” he realized that could have been him. And while he was one of the reasons the show went over its scheduled 3.5 hour time with a speech that lasted more than 10 minutes, his commitment to give back after getting his second chance was palpable.
The ever- patient Kirk Franklin, who didn’t go on until after midnight ET, shut it down with a performance that took us all back to church.
Protecting Our Future
During her acceptance speech for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, Doechii took time to speak about Los Angeles protests. “People are being swept up and torn from their families. And I feel that it is my responsibility as an artist to use this moment to speak for all oppressed people.”
Perry also spoke about the attack on our culture, but pointed out it could never be taken as its innate from our ancestors, while Wonder reminded us all that we are the original people of the planet, and that all are our children, white, brown, whatever color you may be, so let’s work it out.
Kevin Hart on Steroids
He may be small in stature, but Kevin Hart made sure he delivered big on his hosting duties. His show opening was frenzied and furious as standards and practices could barely keep up with his expletive-filled monologue. He called out scant dress codes and banned nicknames, choosing to call all in the audience by their government name (we’re looking at you, Gloria Hallelujah Woods a.ka. GloRilla).
Hart also said there would be no after-parties, where things can get out of hand, a subtle (or maybe not) nod to the ongoing Diddy trial for racketeering. Later in the show, he laid a diss track with Ludacris, tried to woo Tichina Arnold, Tisha Campbell and Kerry Washington with fruit (none of them were having it), and took to the stage with his Real Husbands of Hollywood co-stars.
SOURCE: ebony.com