Here's Everything You Missed At The 2025 BET Awards

There’s no better person to run through Kirk Franklin’s iconic gospel catalog than the legendary hitmaker himself. After accepting his Ultimate Icon award, the 20-time Grammy winner hit the BET Awards stage with his uniformed choir troop for an electrified performance filled with his biggest records, from “Melodies From Heaven” to “Stomp” and “Revolution.” That’s not even half of what Franklin has contributed to the music world with his genre-bending sound and impact, but that performance was a solid reminder that there’s no one else like him. An icon indeed!

I had a feeling Kendrick was going to pop up during the show, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up. But seeing him walk onstage to accept his award — mind you, he’s in the middle of his Grand National Tour with SZA — felt like yet another victory lap after the incredible post-beef year he’s had.

One thing about Teyana Taylor, she’s going to show up and show OUT with a live performance. It feels almost criminal to say this is her first solo performance on the BET Awards stage, but she made sure it was a highlight of the night. And what a show she put on for her return to music after retiring years ago.

From what she’s teased so far about her upcoming “Escape Room” album, it’s looking like she’s in her “Lemonade” era after divorcing her ex-husband, Iman Shumpert. The nods to needing to escape love and bringing Taraji P. Henson to echo how she “should've been walked out this bitch a long time” ago were icing on the cake. And S/O to the literal fire stage set that transitioned into a futuristic setup that had her floating from the ceiling. I can’t wait to see what else comes from this album. Teyana Taylor, what a creative genius you are.

I literally screamed out loud when Kevin Hart marched his ass into the crowd with Usher’s red fur coat and a bowl of cherries. Tichina Arnold and Tisha Campbell were not here for any of his games, trolling him for having his “ashy areolas” out LOL. He’s really the most entertaining BET Awards host we’ve had in a while. Calling Kerry Washington “Cherry Washington” absolutely took me out, and so did their banter. Can we please make sure Kevin comes back to host next year?

Now, I know we’ve been complaining about the lackluster Quincy Jones tributes at award shows this year, so I thought BET would come through with something more spectacular. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll never turn down a live performance from Lucky Daye and Luke James. “Sinners” breakout star Miles Caton joining the two onstage to pay homage to Jones during the In Memoriam segment was a nice touch, too. But I can’t believe a two-minute serenade is all they could muster up.

Baby, Tank threw on those black shades, got on that piano and said we’re going to do this “Ray” tribute right, OK! I love that Jennifer Hudson joined him onstage to pay homage to her “Dreamgirls” co-star, too. “Ray” will always be my all-time favorite Jamie Foxx film, which rightfully earned him a Best Actor Oscar for the 2004 Ray Charles biopic. This tribute just highlights one of Foxx’s many eras and only further solidifies his Ultimate Icon title.

OK, this made me laugh out loud: “Just because you played a blind man doesn't mean we're besties,” Stevie Wonder said, referencing Jamie Foxx’s incredible portrayal of Ray Charles in 2004 film, “Ray.”

Wonder was introducing the tribute to Foxx, who is receiving the Ultimate Icon Award.

I just love how GloRilla’s stage performances have only gotten better and better since she first blew up. It’s like she heard all the critiques and said, “Bet. Watch this.” The kitchen set-up while she performed “Let Her Cook” before the stage transitioned into a lounge set was *chef’s kiss.* And bringing out Keyshia Cole to perform her new single “Typa,” which samples the R&B singer’s classic song “Love”? Very smart.

Now, I was really hoping Mariah Carey would perform a lil’ medley of hits, but the Queen of Christmas performed her new song “Type Dangerous” at the BET Awards. She looked and sounded incredible, but I would have loved to hear “Honey” or “Fantasy” or one of her other mega hits. She also brought out legendary rapper Rakim, so I guess I can’t be THAT mad.

We know how much drama B2K has been through since their breakup over 20 years ago. From solo career spats to a messy love triangle to dissing each other in interviews, this quartet has been through it. So, the fact that Omarion, J-Boog, Raz-B and Fizz could put their egos to the side for this performance is a miracle no one expected. They first came back together at the Millennium Tour finale show in Los Angeles in April, which seemed to set the stage for this next reunion.

This performance took me right back to when I would rip out Omarion posters from my old magazines during my elementary school days (too young, I know). It might be a stretch to ask for another reunion tour, but the boys still got it. — Njera

Listen, I had an Omarion poster up in college, and all of the B2K albums in high school. I’m so happy to see they were able to put aside whatever beef they still have to put on this performance. It’s not the early 2000s without B2K! I went to the Millennium Tour in 2020, and while it was just Omarion there from the group, I would have LOVED for a reunion. There’s still time! — Erin

It’s been 25 years since BET debuted its iconic music video countdown show, and the BET Awards spent plenty of time paying tribute to the series. Amerie, Jim Jones, Keyshia Cole and Mya performed their hits from the 2000s, and even former host Terrence J popped up on the old “106 & Park” set. — Erin

This tribute reminds me of how I used to sit in front of my TV every day after school and watch all my favorite artists and music videos on the countdown. I’m low-key living for these throwback memories. BET definitely reached deep into their nostalgia bag with Ashanti, Keyshia Cole, Amerie and Jim Jones’ early aughts-themed performances. And Mya still has the vocals and dance moves like the last 20 years haven’t even passed.

Love seeing Terrence J back at it, plus Julissa and Tigger — childhood me is thoroughly enjoying this homage. — Njera

Screaming at Kevin Hart poking fun at “Soul Plane,” which is a classic IMO, even though folks bootlegged the hell out of that movie, like the comedian said in his opening monologue. But look at how much he’s blown up since then — crazy to see where he started, and now he’s back hosting the BET Awards again. — Njera

It’s so funny because “Soul Plane” is also one of those movies — like “Baby Boy” — that BET played all the damn time in the early 2000s. I def had a bootleg DVD of the film. — Erin