Kendrick Lamar Leads 2025 BET Awards With 10 Nominations
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As the 25th anniversary of the BET Awards approaches, the stage is set for a major showdown between two of hip-hop’s most talked-about figures. Rap icon Kendrick Lamar leads the pack with a stunning 10 nominations, edging ahead of his lyrical rival Drake, who earned six nods.
The nominations come on the heels of one of the most intense rap beefs in recent memory, culminating in Lamar’s critically dissected diss track, Not Like Us. The record, which has dominated social media and streaming charts, received nominations for Video of the Year and Viewer’s Choice Award, signaling its cultural impact beyond the feud.
Lamar’s dominance continues with nominations for Album of the Year (GNX), multiple Viewer’s Choice Awards (Not Like Us, Luther with SZA, and Like That with Future & Metro Boomin), and three nods for Best Collaboration (Like That, 30 for 30, and Luther).
He is also up for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist and shares a Video Director of the Year nomination with longtime creative partner Dave Free.
Drake, who remains central to the ongoing rap narrative, is nominated for Album of the Year ($OME $EXY $ONGS 4 U, with PARTYNEXTDOOR), Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, and Viewer’s Choice for his track Nokia. Other artists matching his six-nomination tally include GloRilla, Doechii, and Future.
With tensions still simmering, there’s speculation that the two rap titans may appear in the same room at the awards ceremony, set to take place on June 9, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The event will air live at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT on BET.
Among other heavyweights, Metro Boomin received five nominations, while SZA and The Weeknd secured four each. Nigerian artists Ayra Starr, Rema, and Shallipopi earned international nods, affirming Afrobeats’ growing global footprint.
The 25th BET Awards not only celebrates the year’s biggest musical achievements but also recognizes excellence in film, sports, and activism. Nominees span a range of genres and industries, with Denzel Washington, Zendaya, Coco Gauff, and Simone Biles among the stars recognized in acting and sports categories.
