BET Awards 2025: Full List of Winners Celebrates Musical Excellence

The BET Awards 2025, held on June 8, 2025, delivered an unforgettable night of music, culture, and celebration, honoring the best in Black entertainment. Hosted at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, the star-studded event showcased electrifying performances and heartfelt moments, with Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and Chris Brown among the standout winners. The awards highlighted a diverse range of talent across R&B, hip-hop, gospel, and international categories, reflecting the vibrant contributions of artists to the global music scene. Below is the complete list of winners for the BET Awards 2025, recognizing excellence in music and visual storytelling.

Album of the Year

The race for Album of the Year was fierce, with heavyweights like Beyoncé, Drake, and The Weeknd in contention. However, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX took home the coveted award, solidifying his dominance in the industry with his introspective lyricism and genre-defying production.
Winner: GNX — Kendrick Lamar
Other nominees:

• $ome $exy $ongs 4 U — Drake & Partynextdoor
• 11:11 Deluxe — Chris Brown
• Alligator Bites Never Heal — Doechii
• Cowboy Carter — Beyoncé
• Glorious — GloRilla
• Hurry Up Tomorrow — The Weeknd
• We Don’t Trust You — Future & Metro Boomin

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

SZA continued her reign as a leading voice in R&B, securing the Best Female R&B/Pop Artist award. Her soulful melodies and raw vulnerability resonated with fans and voters alike.
Winner: SZA
Other nominees:

• Ari Lennox
• Ayra Starr
• Coco Jones
• Kehlani
• Muni Long
• Summer Walker
• Victoria Monét

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

Chris Brown’s consistent chart-topping hits and dynamic performances earned him the Best Male R&B/Pop Artist award, further cementing his legacy in the genre.
Winner: Chris Brown
Other nominees:

• Bruno Mars
• Drake
• Fridayy
• Leon Thomas
• Teddy Swims
• The Weeknd
• Usher

Best Group

Future and Metro Boomin’s undeniable chemistry and groundbreaking production on We Don’t Trust You earned them the Best Group award, highlighting their influence in hip-hop.
Winner: Future & Metro Boomin
Other nominees:

• 41
• Common & Pete Rock
• Drake & Partynextdoor
• Flo
• Jacquees & Dej Loaf
• Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist
• Maverick City Music

Best Collaboration

Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s powerful duet “Luther” won Best Collaboration, a track that combined their lyrical prowess and emotional depth to captivate audiences.
Winner: “Luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA
Other nominees:

• “30 For 30” — SZA feat. Kendrick Lamar
• “Alter Ego” — Doechii feat. JT
• “Are You Even Real” — Teddy Swims feat. Givēon
• “Beckham” — Dee Billz feat. Kyle Richh, Kai Swervo, KJ Swervo
• “Bless” — Lil Wayne, Wheezy & Young Thug
• “Like That” — Future & Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar
• “Sticky” — Tyler, The Creator feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne
• “Timeless” — The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti

Best Female Hip Hop Artist

Doechii’s bold and innovative approach to hip-hop earned her the Best Female Hip Hop Artist award, marking her as a rising star in the genre.
Winner: Doechii
Other nominees:

• Cardi B
• Doja Cat
• GloRilla
• Latto
• Megan Thee Stallion
• Nicki Minaj
• Rapsody
• Sexyy Red

Best Male Hip Hop Artist

Kendrick Lamar’s lyrical genius and cultural impact secured him the Best Male Hip Hop Artist award, a testament to his continued influence in hip-hop.
Winner: Kendrick Lamar
Other nominees:

• BigXthaPlug
• Bossman DLow
• Burna Boy
• Drake
• Future
• Key Glock
• Lil Wayne
• Tyler, The Creator

Video of the Year

The visually striking and culturally resonant “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar won Video of the Year, celebrated for its bold storytelling and cinematic quality.
Winner: “Not Like Us” — Kendrick Lamar
Other nominees:

• “3AM in Tokeyo” — Key Glock
• “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” — Shaboozey
• “After Hours” — Kehlani
• “Denial Is a River” — Doechii
• “Family Matters” — Drake
• “Timeless” — The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti
• “Type Shit” — Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Playboi Carti

Video Director of the Year

The creative duo of Dave Free and Kendrick Lamar took home the Video Director of the Year award for their visionary work on projects like “Not Like Us.”
Winner: Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
Other nominees:

• Anderson .Paak
• B Pace Productions & Jacquees
• Benny Boom
• Cactus Jack
• Cole Bennett
• Dave Meyers
• Foggieraw
• Tyler, The Creator

Best New Artist

Leon Thomas emerged as the Best New Artist, recognized for his soulful voice and promising contributions to R&B.
Winner: Leon Thomas
Other nominees:

• 41
• Ayra Starr
• BigXthaPlug
• BossMan Dlow
• Dee Billz
• October London
• Shaboozey
• Teddy Swims

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award

GloRilla’s uplifting collaboration with Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music, “Rain Down on Me,” won the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award, blending gospel and hip-hop with powerful results.
Winner: “Rain Down on Me” — GloRilla feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music
Other nominees:

• “A God (There Is)” — Common & Pete Rock feat. Jennifer Hudson
• “Amen” — Pastor Mike Jr.
• “Better Days” — Fridayy
• “Church Doors” — Yolanda Adams feat. Sir The Baptist & Donald Lawrence (Terry Hunter Remix)
• “Constant” — Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore & Anthony Gargiula
• “Deserve to Win” — Tamela Mann
• “Faith” — Rapsody

Viewer’s Choice Award

Chris Brown’s “Residuals” won the Viewer’s Choice Award, reflecting the fans’ love for his heartfelt and relatable track.
Winner: “Residuals” — Chris Brown
Other nominees:

• “Denial Is a River” — Doechii
• “Nokia” — Drake
• “Like That” — Future & Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar
• “TGIF” — GloRilla
• “Not Like Us” — Kendrick Lamar
• “Luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA
• “Brokey” — Latto

Best International Act

Nigeria’s Ayra Starr claimed the Best International Act award, recognized for her global impact and genre-blending artistry.
Winner: Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Other nominees:

• Any Gabrielly (Brazil)
• Basky (UK)
• Black Sherif (Ghana)
• Ezra Collective (UK)
• Joé Dwèt Filé (France)
• MC Luanna (Brazil)
• Rema (Nigeria)
• SDM (France)
• Tyla (South Africa)
• Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)

A Night to Remember

The BET Awards 2025 not only celebrated musical achievements but also highlighted the cultural significance of Black artistry. Kendrick Lamar’s multiple wins underscored his pivotal role in shaping contemporary hip-hop, while SZA and Chris Brown continued to dominate R&B. Emerging talents like Doechii and Leon Thomas signaled a bright future for the industry. The event also featured powerful performances and tributes, making it a night of unity, creativity, and inspiration. As the BET Awards continue to uplift Black excellence, the 2025 ceremony set a high bar for years to come.