The 2025 BET Awards Had Me in a Chokehold — Let’s Talk About It

Credit: Instagram/@doechii

Whew. Where do I even begin?

On June 9th, BET threw a full-blown celebration — 25 years of the BET Awards, 45 years of the network — and they did not come to play.

It wasn’t just a show; it felt like a love letter to the culture. I went in expecting a few nostalgic moments and left feeling like I time-traveled through every era of Black excellence.

By the time the first performance hit, I already had my notes app open. Let’s get into it.

Certified Show-Stealers: Who Shut the Stage Down

The show opened with a nod to 106 & Park (which already had me in my feels), and then boom — Ashanti stepped out as the first performer. “Happy” is one of those songs that lives rent-free in my head, so seeing her kick things off felt personal. I was hype. It’s about time she got her moment.

Jim Jones followed up with “We Fly High.” And when I tell you the entire crowd screamed it with the hand motion?? Instantly transported back to elementary school — recess, baggy jeans, and kids yelling “BALLIN!” like it was a sport. If you know, you know.

Amerie?! Don’t play with her. She hit that stage with “One Thing” like it was still 2005, and the whole room shifted. After her Tiny Desk, I was hoping this performance would come — and she didn’t disappoint. She looked stunning, too.

Things kept moving quick, like BET had no plans of letting us breathe. Terrence J — yes, the best 106 host, don’t argue — stepped up to introduce Keyshia Cole. Sis walked out in a burgundy leather and fur fit, giving drama and heartbreak, and then belted out “I Should Have Cheated.” I was standing up in my living room like I had beef with someone.

Then came T.I., and the Libra energy was heavy. “Bring Em Out”? “What You Know”? That was real ATL royalty — no notes.

Next, the beat dropped and B2K came out, and baby — the little girl in me was screaming. Sure, the lip syncing was obvious, but I didn’t care. The choreography hit, and I was living.

(Also… where were Rocsi and AJ??? BET, be serious.)

Bow Wow — Mr. 106 & Park himself — finally got his moment too. He doesn’t get nearly enough credit for what he did for the culture as a teen star.“Fresh Az I’m Iz” still knocks, and you could tell he was feeling the love.

Leon Thomas finally hit the main stage and I almost teared up. He’s been doing his thing for years now, and this moment? So deserved. The vocals, the guitar solo, the way he ended his set on the floor — chef’s kiss. I was clapping like a proud cousin.

And Ravyn Lenae! Her being on the BET Amplified stage felt like justice. She’s criminally underrated with a voice like velvet. She floated across that stage. It was giving fairy queen.

Then came Mariah Carey, serving full ethereal goddess in a short gold dress as she performed her new single, “Type Dangerous.” The vocals? Still elite. The look? Very diva-coded. But let’s be real — she barely moved. No disrespect, but it felt more like a soft launch than a full performance. I was definitely hoping for a quick throwback moment, especially since it’s the 20th anniversary of The Emancipation of Mimi. Like girl, give us at least one classic!

Lil Wayne popped out next with a thermal cup in hand (as expected, LOL) and performed “Welcome to Tha Carter” off his new album Tha Carter VI. Then he hit us with “A Milli,” and you already know I rapped every word. Lyricist behavior.

Who Slayed, Who Won, and Who Left Me Speechless:

Doechii Used Her Moment — and Her Voice

Doechii took home Best Female Hip Hop Artist, and what made it even more powerful was how she used her platform. She didn’t just thank her team and dip — she called out Donald Trump and shouted out the ICE protests in L.A. It was bold, it was brave, and it was exactly the kind of energy the stage needed. In an era where playing it safe is the norm, Doechii reminded everyone that music and activism can (and should) coexist.

Leon Thomas, You Better Sing — and Win!

My fave R&B artist right now — Leon Thomas — crushed it on stage and then scored a well-earned win for Best New Artist. Watching his steady climb and now seeing him finally get his industry props? I was cheesing like someone just told me my friend got the job. His win felt like a victory for all of us who’ve been rocking with him.

Jamie Foxx’s Flowers, Finally

Now this is how you do a tribute. Jamie Foxx got the Ultimate Icon Award, and the lineup for his tribute was straight-up legendary —  Babyface, Ludacris, Jennifer Hudson, Stevie Wonder, Tank, Teddy Riley, Doug E. Fresh. They really went all out. Jamie’s acceptance speech was a mix of emotion, humor, and a few tears — I was right there feeling every bit of it. I found it liberating seeing him get his flowers not just for his acting and comedy but for being a real musical force. If you haven’t played Unpredictable from front to back, do yourself a favor and fix that ASAP. No skips.

Teyana Taylor Beamed Down and Took the Stage With Her

Teyana Taylor’s performance felt like a sci-fi love story unfolding right on stage — moody, futuristic, and lowkey hypnotic. The lights, the silhouettes, the set design… it all gave “Long Time” in real life. She didn’t just perform; she committed to that whole extraterrestrial aesthetic, and it worked so well, I was totally sucked in.

A lot more went down, but honestly? I got so hype and overwhelmed, I could barely think straight. Snoop Dogg and Mariah Carey both took home Icon Awards, Angie Stone got a tribute (finally!), and GloRilla served full-on pimp realness while cooking up on the main stage. I know I didn’t catch everything — so what did I miss? Did you tune in? Drop your fave (and not-so-fave) moments in the comments!