Best and worst moments from BET awards 2025

The 2025 BET Awards weren't just a big 25-year mark; they made it a full-on nod to culture — past, present, and the future of Black entertainment. Not just a red-carpet event, the show felt like a big, bright party of all that BET has been for the last 25 years.

Kevin Hart, with his trademark humor and quick wit as host, added funny parts that made the show feel more down-to-earth. But more than just the fun, there was a deep feel too, one that showed respect to the stars who set the path and the new ones taking it on.

The night of the BET Awards gave us great live songs from Jennifer Hudson and Leon Thomas III. It also struck a nostalgic chord with heartfelt tributes and surprise moments from the network’s rich history. What made it hit home was not just the big show, but the strong love for the culture it showed, loud, proud, and full of meaning.

The 2025 BET Awards came to life with lots of star power, making it a big bash of Black culture. This was a bold mix, given the tense mood right outside in Los Angeles.

It was a big year, too, the 25th year of the ceremony, making the night feel like both a nod to the past and a blast from the past. The stage had stars like Mariah Carey, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Lil' Kim, Lil Wayne, and the first "106 & Park" hosts. They made it an evening where old times met big show fun.

With all the skill in the show, not all hit the mark with the crowd. A big talk point came early, when Lil' Kim and new artist Honey Bxby did a preshow act that split folks on the web. Some loved her great vibe; some did not. Next, Kevin Hart's opening words began fun and funny, then took a sharp turn.

In a strong step, Hart spoke on the big gaps left by Sean "Diddy" Combs and Ye, two big names in hip-hop who were once cheered on this stage, but were now clearly not there. His comments hinted at deeper industry tensions and added a layer of bite to an otherwise glitzy evening. For all its tributes and throwbacks, the night reminded everyone that culture doesn’t just celebrate itself, it reflects its fractures too.

Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. The reader's discretion is advised!

Here are some of the best and worst moments from the BET Awards 2025

Here are the top and low points from the 2025 BET Awards, a night of major wins and minor stumbles. The night was full of talk from guests who no one saw coming to talk on social media. Mariah Carey's show was a key win, showing all her endless charm and strong voice. Kendrick Lamar gave a strong show with a big goal, mixing tunes with deep thoughts in his own way.

But not all was well, Lil' Kim's early show work with Honey Bxby got many mixed reviews online, with some not liking how it was done more than the try itself. Kevin Hart's time as host had its ups and downs. His sharp words on Diddy and Ye not being there changed the feel and made some people raise their brows. All in all, the show mixed fun with stirred talks. It showed that even after 25 years, the BET Awards still get people talking.

1) Busta Rhymes' Ring

Busta Rhymes didn’t just go to the BET Awards, he ruled the red carpet like a man who knew the job and then went big. Throwing away the small stuff for pure show, he walked in wearing a sharp, black-and-white suit that mixed old style with flash. But it wasn’t the cut that made folks look; it was the extra bits.

2025 BET Awards - Arrivals - Source: Getty

A shiny brooch on his coat caught the light, while his gloved hand showed off a big cross that looked more like a prize than just for show. And just in case you didn't get it: yes, that was real money sticking out of his pocket, because Busta doesn't do soft rich, he does big fancy, with a smile.

BET Awards 2025 - Arrivals - Source: Getty

The entire look wasn't just fashion-forward; it was performance art, a nod to the days when red carpets were about presence, not just photos.

2) Kevin Hart kicks off BET Awards 2025 with sharp jabs at Diddy and Ye in hilarious opening monologue

As the court case with Sean "Diddy" Combs goes on into week six, Kevin Hart had to mix the hot mess into his job as host. He delivered sharp, timely jokes at the Monday night BET Awards. He started with a joke on why things were set up mid-week, making fun of big parties and warning all about having too much fun since the real wild stuff happens at the after-parties.

"That’s where it gets slippery," he said, making the crowd think hard.

With a tricky wink about Combs' now-famous baby oil stories, Hart lifted an eyebrow and said,

"We're uncovering all kinds of truths lately, huh?"

The fun did not end there; he focused on Ye (Kanye West), putting on a fake show of losing his track as if he had received a text from the rapper. "He's outside," Hart said dryly, looking at an invisible phone. "Waiting on someone to let him in. Let's maybe not." It was a mix of jokes and talk, said in the way only Hart can: fast, sharp, and edgy enough to make folks laugh but not mess up the vibe.

3) Snoop Dogg's amazing performance after a long time!

At the 2025 BET Awards, Snoop Dogg got a big honor as an Ultimate Icon, and didn't just take it with a thank you. He turned the stage into a show of his great past. With the cool look of someone who’s influenced hip-hop across three decades, the star from Long Beach gave a strong eight-minute act that showed how his sound has grown.

From the smooth Drop It Like It's Hot to the cool G-funk of Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang and The Next Episode, each song was like a piece from West Coast rap's story. Halfway in, the mood changed when Charlie Wilson came on. He gave a smooth, deep break with an old act of Outstanding, a tip to the start of funk that shaped a lot of Snoop Dogg's first work.

As the end came near, Warren G and Kurupt took the stage, and the crowd went wild as Ain't No Fun (If the Homies Can't Have None) filled the air, making the honor a real big bash. It was not just a show, it was a love note to a time, a place, and a type of music Snoop helped shape.

4) Mariah Carey's performance at the BET Awards 2025

The vibe changed when Mariah Carey got on the stage, because her shows are more than just songs; they are big shows. But that night was even more special. To start, she sang her new song Type Dangerous for the first time live. The feel rose when Rakim, a guest no one knew was coming, came on.

He mixed old rap style with Mariah's charm. But the night was about more than the songs. Later, she came back to loud claps to get the Ultimate Icon Award, a prize that seemed just right for her years of big impact. Dressed in a shiny gold dress and high heels that could have made anyone else stop, Mariah Carey went down a few steps with help from a dancer, smooth, calm, and not bothered at all.

She did not need to dance or wow with big moves; her singing did all the work with ease. Each note was precise, powerful, and unmistakably hers. Just when the crowd thought the night couldn't get more old-school, she ended strong with her 2005 hit It's Like That, a last note that even after years, Mariah doesn't just come back, she owns the stage every time.

5) Stevie Wonder mixes heartfelt tribute with signature humor in Jamie Foxx's ultimate icon award introduction

Stevie Wonder owned the stage of the BET Awards 2025 with his mix of true warmth and quick wit. When he brought up his good pal Jamie Foxx for the Ultimate Icon Award, he did not lean on old, worn words of praise. He spoke with real love, looking back on Jamie Foxx's path in music, acting, and comedy with the kind of respect only a true friend can give.

Just as the crowd was diving into the feel of the moment, Stevie Wonder made a smart move; he lightened the mood with a funny joke about his own blindness. It came out smooth, taking the room by surprise in the best way and showing, once more, that his talent for humor is as great as his singing. The crowd roared with laughs, not from shock, but since that's Stevie: real, raw, and always set to find the fun in it all, even in himself. He said:

"To be clear, I spent tireless hours watching and editing the footage for this tribute tonight. So please pay attention and enjoy."

His words were not just a nod to Jamie's wins; they showed a bond, a shared story, and a note that stars, even at their peak, know how to stay true. As the video played, it was clear Stevie Wonder's start was not just an intro; it was a key part all on its own.

6) 106 & Park Anniversary brings back early 2000s music icons at the BET Awards 2025

BET gave a big nod to an old favorite as 106 & Park hit 25 years with a big, star-filled event that took fans back to the early 2000s. Old hosts, like Free and Terrence J, came back not just to look back but to bring on a set of stars who grew with the show's help.

The crowd went wild as big names like Ashanti, Jim Jones, Amerie, Keyshia Cole, Mya, T.I., B2K, and Bow Wow came on with a full old-school vibe. Ashanti made fans remember why they love her hits like Foolish and Rock Wit U, while Keyshia Cole's deep I Should Have Cheated made everyone sing along loud.

Amerie's 1 Thing and Mya's Case of the Ex made the room shine. B2K brought back old joys with Bump Bump Bump, a throwback to when R&B met pop in style. Jim Jones turned up the energy with We Fly High, and T.I. came next with two big hits from that time.

Bow Wow closed it out with a show that felt like a big home return, pulling Jermaine Dupri up for Fresh Azimiz. He showed us all how key 106 & Park was to the feel, look, and cool of hip-hop and R&B back in the 2000s.

7) BET Awards pre-show blends hip-hop legends with rising stars

At the 25th BET Awards, old times and new vibes met on the stage before the big show, making noise just as the main event did. The list had stars from different times in hip-hop, with pros like Ying Yang Twins and Lil' Kim, and new star Honey Bxby. It was like a pass from one time to another. The Twins hit out with club hits that once set the sound, with old greats like Wait, Get Low, and Say I Yi Yi, giving fans a blast from the past.

Lil’ Kim’s surprise tribute to Left Eye delivered a burst of nostalgia and energy, showing she still has a big pull. But not all were won over, web talk soon saw that some of the performers looked tired or not in line, making folk ask if old acts are respected or just pushed too far. Yet, this time caught a mixed but true side of hip-hop's growth: it is a type built on rounds, where old and new mix and come back again and again.

The 2025 BET Awards gave us a night full of ups and downs, showing the joy and guesswork of live TV for Black fun. From electrifying performances to unexpected moments that sparked reflection, the show had it all. It had strong nods, surprise visits, or acts that did not work; the night showed the good and the mess of a culture always in flux. In the end, the BET Awards kept their style, loud, full of feeling, and really real.