Greatest, Worst and Most Oops Moments of the 2025 BET Awards

Greatest Bling: Busta Rhymes’ Ring (and $100 Payments)

Busta Rhymes was the shining star of the BET Awards purple carpet — actually. The rapper appeared dapper in a traditional black-and-white tux with a jeweled brooch on the lapels. On his gloves, he sported an enormous cross sparkler, and he enhanced the luxe to the max with some Benjamins in his coat pocket.

Oops, Kevin Hart Cannot Cease Laughing!

Throughout his opening monologue, host Kevin Hart cracked jokes about Cardi B, Playboi Carti, Kanye West and extra, however he could not assist himself when ribbing Final Icon Award recipient Kirk Franklin.

“Kirk, do me a favor. Whenever you get your award tonight, do not come up right here entrance twerking,” he joked by his personal laughter because the musician lined his face. “He be attempting responsible it on the Lord. The Lord did not ask for that.”

Greatest Evening to Relive the ’00s

In honor of the hip hop and R&B music video present 106 & Park‘s twenty fifth anniversary, former presenters Huge Tigger, Keshia Chante, Free, Julissa Bermudez, and Terrence J reunited to emcee a sequence of throwback hits from the aughts. Ashanti started the frilly tribute with “Rock Wit U (Aww Child)” and “Silly,” adopted by Amerie, Mya, Keyshia Cole, T.I., B2K and Bow Wow.

Greatest Acceptance Speech: Doechii

After successful finest feminine hip hop artist, her first BET Award, Doechii turned consideration towards the Los Angeles protests in her acceptance speech.

“As a lot as I’m honored by this award, I do need to deal with what’s taking place proper now exterior of the constructing,” she started after displaying appreciation to the ceremony and her fellow nominees. “There are ruthless assaults which might be creating worry and chaos in our communities within the title of regulation and order.”

The rapper concluded, to the viewers’s applause: “All of us need to dwell in hope and never in worry, and I hope we stand collectively, my brothers and my sisters, in opposition to hate and we protest in opposition to it. Thanks, BET.”

Rising Stars: Leon Thomas III and Ravyn Lenae

Two rising stars on the charts, Leon Thomas III and Ravyn Lenae, lit up the BET stage with their viral songs “Mutt” and “Love Me Not.” The Victorious alum — who received finest new artist later within the night time — sang his face off whereas ripping his electrical guitar to his R&B reduce, at the moment at a peak of No. 13 on the Billboard Sizzling 100. Then, Lenae enchanted the gang with an ethereal efficiency of her dreamy hit that is certain to get caught in your head after one hear.

Worst Evening to Be ‘Classic’

Earlier than presenting finest new artist, Deon Cole tried gauging the demographic of girls within the viewers by reciting lyrics to songs from totally different eras, from Usher and GloRilla to El DeBarge. When his co-presenter Dominique Thorne, 27, began singing alongside to DeBarge’s 1982 hit “I Like It,” to Cole’s shock.

“I like music from the ancestors,” the Marvel actress quipped, and Cole rapidly reduce to the nominees.

Most Questionable Music Alternative for In Memoriam: ‘The Secret Backyard’

Do not get us unsuitable: Lucky Daye, Miles Caton and Lucas James sounded unimaginable on their rendition of the late legend Quincy Jones‘ “The Secret Backyard (Candy Seduction Suite).” However through the In Memoriam section, kicking off the efficiency with an attractive “say girls” and craving vocals got here out of left subject tonally.

Worst Individual to Edit Footage: Stevie Surprise

Stevie Wonder‘s obtained jokes! The enduring musician gave a heartfelt speech to preview shut buddy Jamie Foxx’s Final Icon Award. To spherical out the introduction, he made a cheeky reference to his blindness earlier than the profession retrospective video performed.

“To be clear, I spent tireless hours watching and modifying the footage for this tribute tonight. So please listen and luxuriate in,” the singer-songwriter mentioned.

Greatest Evening to Be Jamie Foxx

On high of Surprise’s particular look, Foxx was honored with a medley efficiency that includes Ludacris, Jennifer Hudson, T-Pain and extra. The Final Icon Award honoree turned visibly emotional as he watched within the viewers, and he proceeded to simply accept the respect with an equally moving (and humorous) speech. He spoke about his 2023 hospitalization, thanked his neighborhood and household and even requested for Kirk Franklin’s exercise routine.

“I ain’t going to show down. I am not going to cease crying,” the actor mentioned. “At a sure level I am gonna cease crying, however I ain’t gonna cease simply but.”

Worst Time Administration

Regardless of being slated for 3 and a half hours, the BET Awards ran an hour and quarter-hour previous schedule.

We love a grand jubilee, and we love celebrating legends and one of the best of one of the best. However no awards present must be that lengthy. We may’ve reduce down one of many drawn-out bits, like Hart’s Usher cosplay, or the Walmart Father of the Yr sketch, or Kai Cenat and Druski leaping up and down onstage with Hart for a great couple minutes earlier than introducing Playboi Carti.