Kendrick Lamar Tuesday was celebrating a host of 2025 BET Awards victories, with the Compton rapper taking home four major prizes, including Album of the Year, Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Video of the Year for the viral smash “Not Like Us” and Best Collaboration alongside SZA for their track “Luther.”
Lamar also shared Video Director of the Year honors with longtime creative partner Dave Free.
Going into Monday’s ceremony, Lamar led all nominees with 10 nods, while Doechii, Drake, Future and GloRilla all had six.
The awards honor individuals who contribute to Black culture as writers, musicians, filmmakers, philanthropists and more.
Lamar beat out his rival Drake and other nominees in the Album of the Year category for “GNX.”
SZA was named Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, while Chris Brown was named Best Male R&B/Pop Artist.
Future and Metro Boomin won Best Group.
Doechii won Best Female Hip Hop Artist.
Hosted by Kevin Hart, the ceremony took place at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles amid ongoing violent protests against federal immigration enforcement that has brought much of the downtown area to a standstill, and those events did not go unnoticed on stage.
“As much as I’m honored by this award, I do want to address what’s happening right now outside of the building,” Doechii said while accepting her Best Female Hip Hop Artist trophy.
“There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities … Trump is using military forces to stop a protest, and I want y’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,” she added.
Singer Mariah Carey, rapper/producer Snoop Dogg, Oscar and Grammy winner Jamie Foxx and gospel legend Kirk Franklin were presented with BET Ultimate Icon Awards during the event. The award honors “decades of groundbreaking contributions to music, entertainment, advocacy, and community impact.” Previous recipients of the BET Ultimate Icon Award include Janet Jackson, Deborah L. Lee and Tyler Perry.
The show also featured a 25th anniversary tribute to the music video countdown show “106 & Park,” featuring a reunion of former hosts AJ Calloway, Free Marie Wright, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz and Terrence J. The tribute also featured performances from previous host Bow Wow, Amerie, B2K, Jim Jones, Mya and T.I.
Here is a complete list of winners:
Album of the Year
Kendric Lamar, “GNX”
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
SZA
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Chris Brown
Best Group
Future and Metro Boomin
Best Collaboration
Kendrick Lamar and Sza, “Luther”
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Doechii
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Kendrick Lamar
Video of the Year
Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us”
Video Director of the Year
Dave Free and Kendrick Lamar
Best New Artist
Leon Thomas
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspiration Award
GloRilla Featuring Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music, “Rain Down on Me”
Viewer’s Choice Award
Chris Brown, “Residuals”
Best International Act
Any Gabrielly (Brazil)
Best New International Act
Ajuliacosta (Brazil)
BET Her
Summer Walker, “Heart of a Woman”
Best Movie
“Luther: Never Too Much”
Best Actor
Denzel Washington
Best Actress
Cynthia Erivo
Youngstars Award
Blue Ivy Carter
Sportswoman of the Year Award
Angel Reese
Sportsman of the Year Award
Jalen Hurts