Kendrick Lamar Dominates 2025 BET Awards
Rapper Secures Five Wins, Cementing His Status as Hip-Hop Royalty
Kendrick Lamar swept the 2025 BET Awards held Monday night at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater, taking home five trophies and solidifying his position as a leading force in contemporary music. The awards recognize the best in Black entertainment, and this year’s ceremony highlighted a year of groundbreaking artistry.
Lamar’s Triumphant Night
The celebrated artist entered the evening as the most nominated performer, with a total of ten nods. He ultimately secured wins for Album of the Year, Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Best Collaboration, Video of the Year, and Video Director of the Year—shared with Dave Free. Lamar accepted the Album of the Year prize for his critically acclaimed project, GNX.
And the Winners Are…
Beyond Lamar’s success, several other artists were recognized for their contributions. SZA was awarded Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, while Chris Brown took home the title of Best Male R&B/Pop Artist. Future and Metro Boomin were jointly honored as Best Group.
Key Wins Across Categories
The award for Best Collaboration went to Kendrick Lamar and SZA for their track “Luther.” Rising star Doechii earned the title of Best Female Hip Hop Artist, and Leon Thomas was named Best New Artist. In the sports world, Angel Reese was celebrated as Sportswoman of the Year, and Jalen Hurts received the Sportsman of the Year Award.
Expanding Recognition
The BET Awards also honored achievements in film and television. Cynthia Erivo was recognized as Best Actress, and Denzel Washington earned the title of Best Actor. The award for Best Movie went to Luther: Never Too Much. The Young Stars Award was presented to Blue Ivy Carter.
Gospel and International Spotlight
GloRilla, featuring Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music, won the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award for “Rain Down on Me.” Tyla from South Africa was honored as Best International Act. According to a recent Nielsen Music/Luminate report, R&B/Hip-Hop continues to be the most consumed genre in the U.S., accounting for 28.8% of total music consumption in 2024. Billboard
Viewer’s Choice and Beyond
Chris Brown’s “Residuals” was selected as the Viewer’s Choice Award winner. The ceremony celebrated a diverse range of talent and underscored the enduring influence of Black culture on the global entertainment landscape. The event showcased not only musical prowess but also achievements in sports, film, and gospel music.