Kendrick Lamar Leads 2025 BET Awards Nominations: Full List

The 2025 BET nominations have been announced, and the Compton cowboy takes the lead. Revealed by the network on Thursday morning (May 8), Kendrick Lamar is the top nominee at this year’s event with 10 potential wins on the table. The nominations come from his 2024 landmark year with the release of “Not Like Us,” the album GNX, and collaborations with Metro Boomin and Future.

With the second most nominations, Doechii, Drake, Future, and GloRilla are all tied at six. Rounding out in third is St. Louis-bred producer Metro Boomin. Additionally, SZA, The Weeknd, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Ayra Starr, Playboi Carti, Teddy Swims, Maverick City Music, and Tyler, The Creator have all claimed multiple nominations.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of “Culture’s Biggest Night,” with the broadcast set to air live on BET from the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The milestone event, hosted by Kevin Hart, will honor 25 years of cultural excellence, with respect to the most influential names in music, film, television, and sports.

“I love a celebration! It’s a chance to reflect, cherish, and honor life’s unforgettable moments,” explained Hart.

“I’m truly honored to host the 25th BET Awards and celebrate the culture’s biggest night. This year marks the 25th anniversary, and my partners at Hartbeat, BET, and JCE are pulling out all the stops to make it a night to remember. It’s a black-tie affair, and you’re all invited. Tune in live on June 9th, only on BET.”

View the full list of nominees for the 2025 BET Awards below.

Album of the Year
$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
Ari Lennox
Ayra Starr
Coco Jones
Kehlani
Muni Long
Summer Walker
Sza
Victoria Monét

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Bruno Mars
Chris Brown
Drake
Fridayy
Leon Thomas
Teddy Swims
The Weeknd
Usher

Best Group
41
Common & Pete Rock
Drake & Partynextdoor
FLO
Future & Metro Boomin
Jacquees & Dej Loaf
Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist
Maverick City Music

Best Collaboration
“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
Cardi B 
Doechii
Doja Cat 
Glorilla 
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion 
Nicki Minaj 
Rapsody 
Sexyy Red

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
BigXthaPlug
Bossman Dlow
Burna Boy
Drake
Future
Kendrick Lamar
Key Glock
Lil Wayne
Tyler, The Creator

Video Of The Year
“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 Sh*T” –  Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Playboi Carti

Video Director Of The Year
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
41
Ayra Starr
Bigxthaplug
Bossman Dlow
Dee Billz
Leon Thomas
October London 
Shaboozey 
Teddy Swims

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
“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

Viewer’s Choice Award
“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

Best International Act
Any Gabrielly (Brazil)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Bashy (United Kingdom)
Black Sherif (Ghana)
Ezra Collective (United Kingdom)
Joé Dwèt Filé (France)
Mc Luanna (Brazil)
Rema (Nigeria)
SDM (France)
Tyla (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)

Best New International Act
Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
Ajuliacosta (Brazil)
Amabbi (Brazil)
Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
Dr Yaro (France)
Kwn (United Kingdom)
Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa)
Merveille (France)
Odeal (United Kingdom)
Shallipopi (Nigeria)
Txc (South Africa)

Bet Her
“Beautiful People”-  Mary J. Blige
“Blackbiird” – Beyoncé 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

Best Movie
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
Aaron Pierre
Aldis Hodge
Anthony Mackie
Colman Domingo
Denzel Washington
Jamie Foxx
Joey Bada$$
Kevin Hart
Sterling K. Brown
Will Smith

Best Actress
Andra Day
Angela Bassett
Coco Jones
Cynthia Erivo
Keke Palmer
Kerry Washington
Quinta Brunson
Viola Davis
Zendaya

Youngstars Award
Akira Akbar
Blue Ivy Carter
Graceyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth
Heiress Harris
Melody Hurd
Thaddeus J. Mixson
Tyrik Johnson
Vanvan

Sportswoman Of The Year Award
A’ja Wilson
Angel Reese
Claressa Shields
Coco Gauff
Dawn Staley
Flau’jae Johnson
Juju Watkins
Sha’carri Richardson
Simone Biles

Sportsman Of The Year Award
Aaron Judge
Anthony Edwards
Deion Sanders
Jalen Hurts
Jayson Tatum
Lebron James
Saquon Barkley
Stephen Curry