Kevin Hart to Host! Here’s Everything to Know About the Star-Studded 2025 BET Awards — Nominations, Films & Black Excellence On Display

Black excellence is about to take center stage — again.

The 25th edition of the BET Awards is just days away, and this milestone celebration promises to be nothing short of iconic. Set to take place on Monday, June 9, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, this year’s show will be hosted by none other than comedy powerhouse Kevin Hart, marking his return to the BET Awards stage for the second time.

This silver anniversary edition celebrates 25 years of honoring Black culture, music, film, and achievement, making it one of the most important and culturally resonant events on the entertainment calendar. From viral performances to historic wins, the BET Awards have long stood as a spotlight for the culture, by the culture.

The 2025 nominations, announced on May 8, have already stirred excitement across social media, with blockbuster films, breakout stars, and international talents taking center stage. Whether it's the global success of Ayra Starr and Uncle Waffles, the acting brilliance of Colman Domingo and Zendaya, or the enduring musical dominance of Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, and SZA, this year’s BET Awards is a celebration of Black creativity at its peak.

Check out the full list of 2025 BET Awards nominees…

Standout Film & Acting Nominations

In the Best Movie category, it’s a tight race with buzzy titles like Bad Boys: Ride or Die, The Piano Lesson, and Mufasa: The Lion King. In the acting categories, legends like Denzel Washington and Viola Davis stand shoulder-to-shoulder with rising stars like Aaron Pierce, Joey Bada$$, and Coco Jones — reflecting the depth and range of Black talent on screen today.

Best Movie- The Nominees are:

Bad Boys: Ride or Die

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

Luther: Never Too Much

Mufasa: The Lion King

One of Them Days

Rebel Ridge

The Piano Lesson

The Six Triple Eight

Best Actor-The Nominees are:

Aaron Pierce

Aldis Hodge

Anthony Mackie

Colman Domingo

Denzel Washington

Jamie Foxx

Joey Bada$$

Kevin Hart

Sterling K. Brown

Will Smith

Best Actress-The Nominees are:

Andra Day

Angela Bassett

Coco Jones

Cynthia Erivo

Keke Palmer

Kerry Washington

Quinta Brunson

Viola Davis

Zendaya

Young Stars Award-The Nominees are:

Akira Akbar

Blue Ivy Carter

Graceyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth

Heiress Harris

Melody Hurd

Thaddeus J. Mixson

Tyrik Johnson

VanVan

Viewer’s Choice Award- The Nominees are:

“Residuals” — Chris Brown

“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

International Black Excellence

This year’s Best International Act and Best New International Act categories are stacked with diverse global Black voices — from Rema (Nigeria) and Tyla (South Africa), to Black Sherif (Ghana) and Joé Dwèt Filé (France), proving once again that the culture travels.

Best International Act-The Nominees are:

Any Gabrielly (Brazil)

Ayra Starr (Nigeria)

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)

Best New International Act-The Nominees are:

Abigail Chams (Tanzania)

Ajulicosta (Brazil)

Amabbi (Brazil)

Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)

Dr Yaro (France)

KWN (UK)

Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa)

Merveille (France)

Odeal (UK)

Shallipopi (Nigeria)

TxC (South Africa)

BET Her- The Nominees are:

“Beautiful People” — Mary J. Blige

“Blackbiird” — Beyonce feat. Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy & Reyna Roberts

“Bloom” — Doechii

“Burning” — Tems

“Defying Gravity” — Cynthia Erivo feat. Ariana Grande

“Heart of a Woman” — Summer Walker

“Hold On” — Tems

“In My Bag” — Flo & GloRilla

Album of the Year- The Nominees are:

$ome $exy $ongs 4 U — Drake & Partynextdoor

11:11 Deluxe — Chris Brown

Alligator Bites Never Heal — Doechii

Cowboy Carter — Beyoncé

Glorious — GloRilla

GNX — Kendrick Lamar

Hurry Up Tomorrow — The Weeknd

We Don’t Trust You — Future & Metro Boomin

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist- The Nominees are:

Ari Lennox

Ayra Starr

Coco Jones

Kehlani

Muni Long

Summer Walker

SZA

Victoria Monét

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist- The Nominees are:

Bruno Mars

Chris Brown

Drake

Fridayy

Leon Thomas

Teddy Swims

The Weeknd

Usher

Best Group- The Nominees are:

41

Common & Pete Rock

Drake & Partynextdoor

Flo

Future & Metro Boomin

Jacquees & Dej Loaf

Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist

Maverick City Music

Best Collaboration-The Nominees are:

“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

“Luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA

“Sticky” — Tyler, The Creator feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne

“Timeless” — The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti

Best Female Hip Hop Artist- The Nominees are:

Cardi B

Doechii

Doja Cat

GloRilla

Latto

Megan Thee Stallion

Nicki Minaj

Rapsody

Sexyy Red

Best Male Hip Hop Artist- The Nominees are:

BigXthaPlug

Bossman DLow

Burna Boy

Drake

Future

Kendrick Lamar

Key Glock

Lil Wayne

Tyler, The Creator

Video of the Year-The Nominees are:

“3AM in Tokeyo” — Key Glock

“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” — Shaboozey

“After Hours” — Kehlani

“Denial Is a River” — Doechii

“Family Matters” — Drake

“Not Like Us” — Kendrick Lamar

“Timeless” — The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti

“Type Shit” — Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Playboi Carti

Video Director of the Year- The Nominees are:

Anderson .Paak

B Pace Productions & Jacquees

Benny Boom

Cactus Jack

Cole Bennett

Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar

Dave Meyers

Foggieraw

Tyler, The Creator

Best New Artist- The Nominees are:

41

Ayra Starr

BigXthePlug

Bossman DLow

Dee Billz

Leon Thomas

October London

Shaboozey

Teddy Swims

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award- The Nominees are:

“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

“Rain Down on Me” — GloRilla feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music

A Glimpse at the Full List

The nominees span over 20 categories across music, film, video direction, gospel, and more — with artists like GloRilla, Doechii, SZA, Drake, Chris Brown, Future, and Megan Thee Stallion securing multiple nods. And for the gospel and inspirational crowd, heavyweights like Tamela Mann, Pastor Mike Jr., and Common are in the mix for the Dr. Bobby Jones Award.

Why the BET Awards Matter More Than Ever

In an industry still grappling with equitable representation, the BET Awards remain a crucial platform for centering Black talent — not just in celebration, but in setting the bar. With its unapologetically Black voice and international reach, BET continues to shape the conversation about what excellence looks like across genres.

As we countdown to June 9, all eyes will be on the red carpet, the performances, and the powerful cultural moments that this ceremony has become known for. From its roots to its global influence, the BET Awards is where legacy meets now — and this 25th anniversary edition might just be the most important yet.

Stay tuned for more updates .

 For more information and exclusive updates, visit www.bet.com/bet-awards.

TLDR| BET Awards 2025 Details:

• 📅 Date: Monday, June 9, 2025

• 📍 Location: Peacock Theater, Los Angeles

• 🎤 Host: Kevin Hart

• 🎉 Occasion: 25th Anniversary Celebration

• 🌍 Watch Live: www.bet.com/bet-awards