106 & Park Tribute Brings the Nostalgia, Stars, & Icon Out On Black Hollywoods Biggest Night
The 2025 BET Awards pulled no punches, delivering one of its most impactful shows yet for its 25th anniversary. Held at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles, the night brought the entire culture out—from living legends to rising stars—all gathered under one roof to celebrate the past, present, and future of Black entertainment.
With heavy police and National Guard presence just blocks away due to ongoing immigration protests, the ceremony still packed out with celebrities, performers, and supporters, standing tall in the face of political unrest. Inside, it was all love, legacy, and electric energy.
In a tribute to BET’s legendary countdown show 106 & Park, former hosts A.J., Free, Terrence J, Rocsi Diaz and others reunited onstage. Performers including B2K, Ashanti, Amerie, Mya, and Bow Wow helped recreate the spirit of early 2000s Black pop culture.
Kevin Hart Brings the Jokes, Then Gets Real
Host Kevin Hart opened the night with laughs and jabs—mocking celebrity names and poking fun at Kirk Franklin’s infamous onstage twerk. But Hart also shifted gears to recognize the show’s cultural weight and honor icons like Foxx.
“There won’t be any afterparties tonight,” he joked, referencing the baby oil rumors swirling around Diddy’s legal case. “Things could get slippery.”
Jamie Foxx Breaks Down in Iconic Return
Jamie Foxx’s tearful acceptance of the Ultimate Icon Award was another emotional high point of the night. Presented by Stevie Wonder, the honor marked Foxx’s public comeback after surviving a near-fatal stroke in 2023.
“When I saw the memoriam, I was like, ‘Man, that could’ve been me,’” Foxx said. “But my second chance? I’m not turning it down.”
Backed by a star-studded musical tribute featuring Babyface, Ludacris, Jennifer Hudson, and T-Pain, Foxx thanked his daughters, his team, and Black audiences for standing by him. “When I did my special, it was for Black people. Y’all held me down,” he said. “You can’t go through something like that and not testify.”
Mariah Carey and Snoop Dogg Reflect on Legacy
Mariah Carey, also honored with the Ultimate Icon Award, shared that this was her first-ever BET trophy. Introduced by Busta Rhymes, Carey said she finally reached a place where she no longer lives for anyone else’s approval: “I decided to own who I am.”
Snoop Dogg accepted his award from Dr. Dre with his wife, Shante Taylor, at his side. “Hip-hop gave me a voice. It gave me a purpose. Being an icon isn’t about fame—it’s about legacy, what you leave behind, and who you lift up.”
Kirk Franklin, the fourth Ultimate Icon honoree, joked “I can’t even sing” while expressing gratitude. “That’s when you know it’s God,” he said.
Kendrick Lamar Wins Album of the Year
Kendrick Lamar added to his already historic year by winning Album of the Year for GNX. The project has swept award circuits, with wins at the Grammys and now BET, including Song and Video of the Year for “Not Like Us.” Kendrick, currently touring with SZA on the Grand National Tour, continues to define the modern hip-hop landscape.
