Kendrick Lamar cleaned up Monday night at the 2025 BET Awards.
The Compton rapper led the competition with five wins — album of the year for GNX; video of the year for “Not Like Us,” best collaboration with SZA for their single “Luther,” best male hip hop artist, and video director of the year with his creative partner Dave Free.
“What It Is” singer and rapper Doechii picked up the trophy for best female hip hop artist.
SZA won the award for best female R&B/Pop artist. Chris Brown picked up the trophy for best male R&B/Pop artist.
Singer-songwriter Leon Thomas was named best new artist.
The awards were held at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles as protests continued in the city for a fourth straight day against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests of undocumented immigrants.
Related: Jamie Foxx Sheds Tears During BET Awards Speech About ‘Second Chances’
Inside the theater, Doechii recognized what was happening on the streets of L.A. and criticized President Donald Trump for calling in National Guard troops.
“Trump is using military forces to stop a protest, and I want y’all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us,” Doechii said on stage.
Urban Hollywood 411 was on the streets of downtown L.A. Monday evening as protesters faced off with law enforcement.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies in riot gear lined the streets around the federal courthouse and L.A. City Hall, about three miles from the BET Awards.
Meanwhile, LAPD cruisers blocked off streets to confine protesters to Civic Center — the area around government buildings — and prevent them from marching toward the Peacock Theater and potentially disrupting the BET Awards.
There were scattered reports of skirmishes and vandalism, but no problems at the awards ceremony. Below is the complete list of winners at the 2025 BET Awards:
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist – SZA
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist – Chris Brown
Best Group – Future & Metro Boomin
Best Collaboration – “Luther” – Kendrick Lamar & SZA
Best Male Hip Hop Artist – Kendrick Lamar
Best Female Hip Hop Artist – Doechii
Video of the Year – “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar
Video Director of the Year – Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
Best New Artist – Leon Thomas
Album of the Year – GNX – Kendrick Lamar
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award – “Rain Down on Me” – GloRilla feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music
Best Actress – Cynthia Erivo
Best Actor – Denzel Washington
Best Movie – Luther: Never Too Much
YoungStars Award – Blue Ivy Carter
Sportswoman of the Year – Angel Reese (Basketball)
Sportsman of the Year – Jalen Hurts (Football)
BET Her Award – “Heart of a Woman” – Summer Walker
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