BET Awards bring star power as Doechii, Jamie Foxx, Mariah Carey shine
in 25th anniversary show
[June 10, 2025]
By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The BET Awards delivered a night of major star power
and poignant moments Monday night, marking the ceremony's 25th
anniversary with a mix of comedy, emotion and calls for justice.
The night delivered a stirring mix of purpose and entertainment from
Doechii 's powerful speech, Jamie Foxx 's emotional reflection and Kevin
Hart 's sharp comedic opener.
Doechii made her presence felt early during the five-hour ceremony,
using her acceptance speech for best female hip-hop artist to draw
attention to the immigration raids and protest crackdowns taking place
just miles from the venue. Her message added urgency and depth to a
ceremony meant to honor both Black excellence and social impact.
After being named best female hip-hop artist — her first-ever BET Award
— Doechii acknowledged her fellow nominees, then shifted the spotlight
to the issues unfolding outside the venue.
“There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our
communities in the name of law and order,” said Doechii, who won a
Grammy for best rap album, only the third woman to win in that category.
“Trump is using military forces to stop a protest,” she said. “I want
you all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every
time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is
deployed against us. What type of government is that?”
Doechii’s words drew applause from the audience at the Peacock Theater,
where the awards aired live.
“People are being swept up and torn from their families,” she continued.
“I feel like it’s my responsibility as an artist to use this moment to
speak up for all oppressed people. … We all deserve to live in hope and
not fear. I hope we stand together.”
Ultimate Icon Award honorees
Foxx, Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg and Kirk Franklin received the Ultimate
Icon Award. They were selected due to their impact on entertainment as
well as their community impact and advocacy.
Foxx was the first to receive his award. He was visibly moved during a
heartfelt moment at the awards, being brought to tears while accepting
his trophy after surviving a life-threatening health scare in recent
years.
The Oscar and Grammy winner reflected on watching the in memoriam
tribute from his seat.
“When I saw the memoriam, I was like, ‘Man, that could’ve been me,’”
said Foxx, who was hospitalized in 2023 after suffering a stroke. In an
interview with The Associated Press, he recalled the severity of the
moment: “The thing was almost a wrap. Every prayer counted.”
Foxx was presented the award by music legend Stevie Wonder, adding even
more weight to the emotional moment. As he stood on stage, his voice
cracked with gratitude.
“I don’t know why I went through what I went through. But I know my
second chance — I won’t turn it down,” Foxx said, as his two daughters
and sister wiped away tears from the audience. “I have so much love to
give. Just give me one more crack at this. Whatever reason you put this
on me, I promise I’ll do right. … You can’t go through something like
that and not testify.”
Carey said this was her first time collecting a trophy at the BET
Awards. The singer said she became emotional after Busta Rhymes
introduced her.
“It took me a while, but I finally realized that life is far too short
to live for anyone else's approval, which is something I always did,”
said Carey, a five-time Grammy winner. “I decided to own who I am.”
Dr. Dre presented the award to Snoop, who walked onstage with his wife
Shante Taylor. In his speech, he paid homage to Carey, Franklin and Foxx
before thanking the many others who helped him throughout his life.
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Kendrick Lamar accepts the award for album of the year for "GNX"
during the BET Awards on Monday, June 9, 2025, at the Peacock
Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
 “Hip-hop gave me a voice. It gave me
a purpose,” he said. “It gave me a way out and a way into homes,
hearts, cultures and countries I'd never thought I would even touch.
Being an icon isn't about fame. It's about legacy. It's about what
you build, what you leave behind and who you lift up along the way.”
Franklin expressed gratitude for the honor, admitting he’s far from
the perfect Christian, husband, father or artist. He joked, “I can’t
even sing.”
“Which makes this award so amazing, because what I do really don’t
make sense," he said. "If you’re listening to this, that’s when you
know it’s God.”
The show's host pokes fun at honorees
Hart kicked off the awards with a flurry of jokes, poking fun at
everything from celebrity names to slippery afterparties.
“There won’t be any afterparties tonight. Things could get
slippery,” he quipped, referencing baby oil that's been frequently
mentioned in the criminal case against Diddy.
Hart set the tone for a night full of humor and on a night honoring
the awards show's 25th anniversary.
The comedian also joked about the pronunciation of GloRilla and
Snoop’s real names, drawing laughs from the crowd before turning
sincere.
Hart paid tribute to Foxx and teased gospel star Franklin.
“When you get your award tonight, don’t come up here front twerking,”
Hart said, as the crowd erupted in laughter.
The jab was a nod to Franklin’s viral moment when he playfully
twerked on gospel legend Jacky Clark Chisholm during a live
performance.
“Don’t come up here poppin’,” Hart added, as cameras caught Franklin
bowing his head and chuckling. “Don’t try to blame it on the Lord.
The Lord didn’t ask for that. Put it away, Kirk.”
Who won album of the year?
Kendrick Lamar took home the award for his critically acclaimed
project “GNX.”
Lamar made waves with his Grammy triumph, winning song and record of
the year for “Not Like Us.” He followed up with a groundbreaking
halftime show, becoming the first solo hip-hop performer to headline
the coveted slot. The rap megastar is currently on the Grand
National Tour with SZA.
Who were the show’s performers?
Lil Wayne, GloRilla, Amerie, Jim Jones and Teyana Taylor were some
of the performers who hit the stage. Other performers included
Babyface, Ludacris, Tank, Jennifer Hudson, Teddy Riley, T-Pain, Doug
E. Fresh, Craig Robinson, Playboi Carti and singer Leon Thomas.
Were there any tributes?
The BET Awards offered tributes to former popular hosts and
performances, including the network’s once-flagship program “106 &
Park. ”
The weekday show launched in 2000 and lasted for more than a decade.
It thrived with a video countdown, interviews and performances.
The show reunited past hosts A.J. Calloway, Free, Julissa Bermudez,
Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz and Terrence J. The tribute will feature
performers such as Bow Wow, Amerie, B2K, Jim Jones, Mya, T.I. and
Mr. 106 & Park.
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