BET Awards 2025 Held Amid Los Angeles Protests

The 2025 BET Awards, hosted by Kevin Hart at Los Angeles' Peacock Theater, marked the 25th anniversary of the event, celebrating achievements in music, entertainment, and culture. Kendrick Lamar led the night with 10 nominations, including Album of the Year for "GNX," competing against artists like Drake, Doechii, Future, and GloRilla. The ceremony honored four Ultimate Icons—Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg, and Kirk Franklin—instead of a single lifetime achievement award, and featured a special tribute reunion for BET's "106 & Park" with performances by former hosts and artists such as Bow Wow and Amerie. The event proceeded despite protests in Los Angeles, with BET organizers coordinating closely with LAPD to ensure safety. Viewers could stream the awards live through multiple platforms including BET+, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Philo, and DirecTV, many offering free trials. The show included performances by Lil Wayne, Teyana Taylor, Playboi Carti, Leon Thomas, and others, promising a night full of memorable moments and star-studded appearances.