2025 BET Awards: Performer lineup, presenters and more explored as Kendrick Lamar leads nominations

The 2025 BET Awards are all set to take place on June 9. The ceremony will be broadcast live from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, starting at 8 PM ET. The event will be hosted by American comedian and actor Kevin Hart, who returns as a host to the stage after 14 years. Hart last hosted the BET Awards in 2011.

The names of the confirmed performers at the 2025 BET Awards include Lil Wayne, Teyana Taylor, GloRilla, Playboi Carti, and Leon Thomas. Each artist is expected to bring their own unique energy to the stage.

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Presenters/participants of the 2025 BET Awards

Cast members from Divorced Sistas, including LeToya Luckett-Coles and DeVon Franklin, will be part of this year’s BET Awards, joined by filmmaker Tyler Perry. The list of presenters also features big names like Stevie Wonder, Keke Palmer, Kerry Washington, and Busta Rhymes. The complete list of participants/presenters is as follows:

• Annie Ilonzeh
• Ashley Nicole Moss
• Big Tigger
• Busta Rhymes
• Cam Newton
• Ciara
• Claudia Jordan
• Crystal Renee
• Deon Cole
• Devon Franklin
• Diamond White
• Drew Sidora
• Erica Mena
• Erika Pinkett
• Free
• Kai Cenat
• Keke Palmer
• Keshia Chante
• Ken Lawson
• Kerry Washington
• LaLa Anthony
• LeToya Luckett-Coles
• Mariah the Scientist
• Marques Houston
• Stevie Wonder
• T.I.P.
• Tichina Arnold
• Tisha Campbell
• Tyler James Williams
• Tyler Perry
• Quinta Brunson
• Terrence J
• Druski
• Julissa Bermudez
• DC YoungFly
• Xavier Smalls

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Who will be receiving the Ultimate Icon Award at the 2025 BET Awards?

The 2025 BET Awards will witness four Ultimate Icon Award recipients, namely Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx, and Kirk Franklin. These artists will receive the honor because of their amazing work and important impact on music and entertainment.

The BET Awards also announced these names on their Instagram account on May 28, with the caption,

"we’re honoring the visionaries whose impact is immeasurable — the ones who didn’t just change the game… they redefined what was possible. Introducing our ULTIMATE ICON HONOREES — a celebration of unmatched impact and unshakable influence. 🏆✨"

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Kendrick Lamar scores the highest number of nominations at the 2025 BET Awards

Fans are waiting to watch the 2025 BET Awards live. According to the nominations list as reported by People, Kendrick Lamar leads the way with 10 nominations, making him the top contender this year. The artist is nominated in the following categories:

Album of the Year

• GNX - Kendrick Lamar

Best Collaboration

• 30 For 30 - SZA Feat. Kendrick Lamar
• Like That - Future & Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar
• Luther - Kendrick Lamar & SZA

Best Male Hip Hop Artist

Video of the Year

• Not Like Us - Kendrick Lamar

Video Director of the Year

• Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar

Viewer’s Choice Award

• Like That - Future & Metro Boomin Feat. Kendrick Lamar
• Not Like Us - Kendrick Lamar
• Luther - Kendrick Lamar & SZA

Drake, Future, GloRilla, and Doechii have also made a strong mark with six nominations each. Check this out to have a look at the complete nominations list.

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Interested fans can watch the 2025 BET Awards live on BET, with the pre-show starting at 6 PM. ET on June 9.