The 2025 BET Awards, which additionally represented the present’s twenty fifth anniversary, wrapped up Monday night in Los Angeles, leaving audiences within the area and watching at dwelling with an evening to recollect. From emotional speeches to electrifying performances, the ceremony honored Black excellence, cultural legacy and a long time of music and artistry, with callbacks to BET staples like “Rap Metropolis” and “106 & Park” and even tv reveals like “Actual Husbands of Hollywood,” becoming because the night was hosted by legendary “mitch,” Kevin Hart.
On an evening stuffed with issues to speak in regards to the subsequent day, listed below are the highest 5 moments from the evening:
Jamie Foxx’s Heartfelt Speech
Foxx, alongside Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg and Kirk Franklin, was honored with BET’s Final Icon Award, a tribute to his a long time of affect in music and leisure. His emotional speech that introduced individuals to tears centered on the enjoyment of survival and the hope that tomorrow brings after struggling a medical disaster in 2023. The speech was particularly shifting when he spoke about his household having his again, and his daughters—one in every of which was in tears for a lot of his speech, clearly nonetheless coping with the considered almost shedding her father. It was a touching second for everyone who watched.
“You may’t undergo one thing like that and never testify,” he stated.
Legendary musician Stevie Surprise, a longtime good friend and collaborator, introduced Foxx with the award, praising his expertise and resilience, and offered some a lot wanted, unintentional comedy for Jamie Foxx who performed on the longstanding rumor that Stevie can truly see, breaking apart the tears and emotion with some moments of laughter.
Doechiii’s highly effective remarks about ICE Raids
The newly topped Finest Feminine Hip Hop Artist Doechiii took a second throughout her acceptance speech to name out rising tensions in Los Angeles following President Trump’s deployment of the Nationwide Guard towards peaceable demonstrators.
“Trump is utilizing navy forces to cease a protest, and I need you all to think about what sort of authorities it seems to be — when each time we train our democratic proper to protest, the navy is deployed towards us.”
Her phrases highlighted the urgency of the matter, as she devoted her award to Black, Brown, transgender people, Gazans and different communities of individuals.
“106 & Park” Tribute
In honor of the 25-year legacy of BET’s “106 & Park,” previous hosts Terrence J and “Free” Marie Wright took the stage to introduce a tribute efficiency that includes early-2000 icons. Ashanti, Jim Jones, Amerie, Mya, T.I. and a reunion of B2K delivered nostalgic hits, bringing audiences again to the present’s golden years. As solely a “106 & Park” tribute might do, it closed with Mr. 106 & Park—Bow Wow (who was additionally a number for a time)—reminding all people in regards to the present’s heyday.
Spanning from 2000 to 2014, “106 & Park” was greater than a countdown present–it was a cultural staple that linked Black youth to hip-hop and R&B artists, shaping an period of music and leisure and serving up iconic moments that resonate even immediately. On the finish of the tribute, almost all the present’s hosts throughout its run took the stage (save for AJ Calloway and Rocsi Diaz); what a time to be alive.
Tyler Perry’s Footprints Analogy and Name to Motion
Doechiii wasn’t the one one who spoke out about present political points. Tyler Perry took the stage and used his time to replicate on Black erasure and legacy, sharing a reminiscence about strolling within the sand along with his tune. He linked the second to his deeper message: the significance of leaving a long-lasting legacy for future generations, particularly in a time of political pushback.
“They’re eradicating our books from libraries, they’re eradicating our tales and our historical past–they’re eradicating our names from authorities buildings. It’s as if somebody desires to erase our footprints.”
His phrases led into Ledisi’s soulful efficiency of “BLKWMN,” her newest single (with a video from Tyler Perry) additional highlighting the evening’s theme of honoring Black historical past and tradition.
Kirk Franklin ends the ceremony with a bang
The ultimate Final Icon Award recipient Kirk Franklin shut the place down with a robust speech and an explosive efficiency that had the group on their toes.
“The one time I felt love was after I sat behind the piano and wrote songs about Jesus,” he stated throughout his speech. “Folks liked my songs and the extra I wrote, the extra individuals listened. Thanks to all of you that also hear. Thanks to each group, singer, musician that’s been the microphone to my ache.”
He then delivered an unforgettable set that includes “Stomp,” “Silver & Gold,” “Melodies From Heaven” and “Revolution,” creating an entire environment of celebration.
