May 2025

“BET AWARDS” 2025 REVEALS FIRST LINEUP OF PERFORMERS: LIL WAYNE, TEYANA TAYLOR, GLORILLA

Sylvester May 27, 2025

BET announced today that “BET Awards” 2025 keeps getting BIGGER with the first slate of performers set to hit the stage. The star-studded lineup includes 5-time GRAMMY® Award winning global hip hop icon Lil Wayne, trailblazing multi-hyphenate Teyana Taylor, with a one night only legendary performance unlike anything you’ve seen before, GRAMMY® nominated superstar GloRilla, genre-defying hitmaker Playboi Carti, and GRAMMY® Award winning singer, songwriter, and producer Leon Thomas. The 25^th anniversary of “BET Awards” will air LIVE from Los Angeles on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 8 PM ET/PT on BET.

“We’re setting the tone for a night that celebrates 25 years of impact, creativity, and Black culture,” said Connie Orlando, EVP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET. “With electrifying performances from some of the biggest names in music and an iconic comedic host, ‘BET Awards’ 2025 will be a can’t-miss celebration of everything the culture represents.”

As previously announced, legendary comedian, actor, producer, and global box office sensation Kevin Hart will bring his signature energy and humor as host of “BET Awards” 2025.

Kendrick Lamar leads “BET Awards” 2025 nominationswith ten, Doechii, Drake, Future and GloRilla are tied with six nominations, Metro Boomin earned five nominations, and SZA and The Weeknd are tied with four nominations each. 

BET also previously announced that it will celebrate the 25th anniversary of legendary music video countdown show 106 & Park with a must-see tribute, and creative directed by Teyana Taylor and The Aunties Production, Beloved former hosts AJ Calloway, Free Marie Wright, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz, and Terrence J will reunite on stage for a nostalgic celebration. The tribute will feature timeline-shattering performances from previous host and Mr. 106 & Park, Bow Wow, Amerie, B2K, Jim Jones, Mya, T.I., and more, bringing back the culture-defining energy, music and moments of the history-making franchise.

Connie Orlando, EVP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy, serves as the Executive Producer for “BET Awards” 2025, with Jamal Noisette, SVP of Tentpoles & Music Community Engagement, for BET. Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company for the show, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serving as Executive Producers.

Expect more exciting announcements, including more performers, honorees, and more. Additionally, Culture’s Biggest Week returns with BET Experience 2025 (BETX)—four days of immersive fan-focused events from Thursday, June 5, through Sunday, June 8, ahead of the “BET Awards” 2025.

Grammy-Winning Multiplatinum Rapper Cardi B Receives ASCAP Voice of the Culture Award

Sylvester May 24, 2025

Today, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) announces multiplatinum, Grammy-winning superstar Cardi B will be honored with the distinguished ASCAP Voice of the Culture Award.

Cardi B made history in 2020 as the first woman to receive the esteemed ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Songwriter of the Year Award two years in a row, adding to her multiple ASCAP accolades, including eight ASCAP Pop Music Awards and a whopping 23 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards. This year, the world-renowned rapper returns to accept the ASCAP Voice of the Culture Award, which is presented to ASCAP members who have had a major influence on music and culture, to recognize their success as creators and changemakers. Last year, Usher was the recipient of the distinguished award.

“Cardi B has left an indelible mark on the culture of hip-hop by redefining and challenging the norms for women,” said ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams. “Having broken through countless barriers with her unapologetic authenticity and talent, she continues to use her voice to advocate for and inspire others, a true testament to her undeniable impact. We are proud to present Cardi B with this year’s ASCAP Voice of the Culture Award.”

Cardi B will be presented with the award at a private, invitation-only event celebrating ASCAP’s top hip-hop, R&B and gospel songwriters on Sunday, June 8 in Los Angeles.

Cardi B is among the most significant musical artists of all time, regardless of genre, gender or generation. Among her seemingly endless list of accomplishments, she stands as the highest-certified female rapper of all time on the RIAA’s “Top Artists (Digital Singles)” ranking, the female rap artist with the most RIAA diamond certifications, and the only female rapper with multiple billion-streamers on Spotify, where her chart-topping, Grammy-winning, four-times RIAA platinum-certified debut album, Invasion of Privacy, remains the most-streamed album by a female rap artist to date. All 13 tracks on Invasion of Privacy are now certified at least platinum, and the smash 2018 album also includes the history-making diamond-certified “Bodak Yellow.”

With an extensive list of awards, nominations and high-profile honors, Cardi B’s additional nods include nine total Grammy Award nominations, eight Billboard Music Awards, six Guinness World Records, five Spotify One Billion Streams Awards, six American Music Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, three iHeartRadio Titanium Awards, six BET Awards, 14 BET Hip Hop Awards, inclusion on TIME’s “TIME100: The 100 Most Influential People of 2018,” being named Entertainment Weekly’s 2018 “Entertainer of the Year” and Billboard’s 2020 “Woman of the Year,” along with countless other triumphs. In 2021, she was named Playboy‘s first-ever Creative Director in Residence and founding member of Playboy’s creator-led platform. Since then, Cardi B has been featured on chart-topping singles including platinum-certified “Tomorrow 2” with GloRilla and gold-certified “Put It on the Floor” with Latto. In 2024, Cardi B came out swinging with dual releases “Like What (Freestyle)” and “Enough (Miami),” before collaborating on Rob 49’s “On Dat Money” and Megan Thee Stallion and GloRilla’s “Wanna Be (Remix).” 

Season 2 of NINE PERFECT STRANGERS

Sylvester May 12, 2025

Starring Nicole Kidman, Henry Golding, Lena Olin, Annie Murphy, Christine Baranski, Lucas Englander, King Princess, Murray Bartlett, Dolly de Leon, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Mark Strongand Aras Aydin

The Hulu Original drama returns on May 21, 2025with two episodes at launch followed by weekly episodes.

* * *

SYNOPSIS:

Nicole Kidman returns as the enigmatic healing guru Masha in the second season of “Nine Perfect Strangers”, based on Liane Moriarty’s bestselling novel. A new batch of wellness-seekers arrive at a mysterious Alpine resort looking for transformative paths to betterment and happiness. During their stay, the guests partake in unconventional methods to reach their goals while Masha is forced to confront some past demons… threatening to destroy both her own personal wellness, and that of her guests.

KENDRICK LAMAR LEADS “BET AWARDS” 2025 NOMINEES WITH TEN NOMINATIONS

Sylvester May 8, 2025

KENDRICK LAMAR LEADS “BET AWARDS” 2025 NOMINEES WITH TEN NOMINATIONS

DOECHII, DRAKE, FUTURE AND GLORILLA TIE WITH SIX NOMINATIONS EACH

 METRO BOOMIN EARNS FIVE NOMINATIONS

SZA AND THE WEEKND TIE WITH FOUR NOMINATIONS

ARYA STARR, CHRIS BROWN, LIL WAYNE, MAVERICK CITY MUSIC, PLAYBOI CARTI, TEDDY SWIMS, AND TYLER, THE CREATOR EARN
THREE NOMINATIONS EACH

CULTURE’S BIGGEST NIGHT, “BET AWARDS” 2025 WILL AIR LIVE MONDAY, JUNE 9 AT 8 PM ET/ PT ON BET

Today, BET announces “BET Awards” 2025 nominees, with Kendrick Lamarleading the nominations with ten, Doechii, Drake, Future and GloRilla tying with six nominations, Metro Boominearning five nominations, and SZA and The Weekndtying with four nominations each. 

This year’s “BET Awards” 2025 nominees reflect multifaceted creative expression and Black excellence across music, television, film, and sports. Nominations were selected by the BET Voting Academy, which is comprised of an esteemed group of entertainment professionals and influencers in the fields of music, media, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations, and creative arts.

Kendrick Lamar holds the top spot with ten “BET Awards” 2025 nominations. Lamar’s nominations include ‘Album of the Year’ for GNX, ‘Video of the Year’ for “Not Like Us,” three ‘Viewer’s Choice Award’ nods for “Not Like Us,” “Luther,” featuring SZA, and “Like That” with Future & Metro Boomin, three ‘Best Collaboration’ nods for “Like That,” “30 for 30,” and “Luther,” featuring SZA, ‘Video Director of the Year’ with Dave Free, and ‘Best Male Hip Hop Artist.’ 

Doechii’s six nominations include ‘Album of the Year’ for Alligator Bites Never Heal, ‘Video of the Year’ and ‘Viewer’s Choice Award’ for “Denial is a River,” ‘BET Her’ for “Bloom,” ‘Best Collaboration’ for “Alter Ego” featuring JT, and ‘Best Female Hip Hop Artist.’  

Drake’s six nominations include ‘Album of the Year’ for $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, ‘Video of the Year’ for “Family Matters,” ‘Viewer’s Choice Award’ for “Nokia,” ‘Best Group’ with “Drake & PartyNextDoor,” ‘Best Male R&B/Pop Artist’ and ‘Best Male Hip Hop Artist.’

Future’s six nominations include ‘Album of the Year’ for We Don’t Trust You with Metro Boomin, ‘Video of the Year’ for “Type Shit” with Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Playboi Carti, ‘Best Collaboration’ and ‘Viewer’s Choice Award’ for “Like That” with Metro Boomin featuring Kendrick Lamar, ‘Best Group’ with “Future & Metro Boomin,” and Best Male Hip Hop Artist. 

GloRilla six nominations include ‘Album of the Year’ for Glorious, ‘Viewer’s Choice Award’ for “TGIF”, ‘Best Collaboration’ for “Sticky” with Tyler, The Creator, Sexyy Red and Lil Wayne, the ‘Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award’ for “Rain Down On Me,” ‘Best Female Hip Hop Artist’, and ‘BET Her’ for “In My Bag” with FLO.

SZA and The Weeknd tie with four nominations each, while Arya Starr, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Maverick City Music, Playboi Carti, Teddy Swims, and Tyler, The Creator each earn three nominations. 

Voting for “BET Awards” 2025 Viewer’s Choice Award will open soon.

BET.com/bet-awards is the official site for “BET Awards” 2025 and will have all the latest news and updates about this year’s show. Follow us @BET and @BETAWARDS.

Connie Orlando, EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy, will oversee and Executive Produce the annual show, with Jamal Noisette, SVP, Tentpoles & Music Community Engagement for BET. Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company for the show, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serving as Executive Producers.

The 25th Anniversary of “BET Awards” – Culture’s Biggest Night – will air LIVE on BET from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 8 pm ET/PT. This milestone event will honor 25 years of cultural excellence, spotlighting the most influential names in music, film, television, and sports.

To register for the free, 2-day BETX Fan Fest, visit  BETExperience.com. “BET Experience” 2025 is co-produced by Live Nation Urban.

To apply for media credentials to cover the “BET Awards” 2025 red carpet, press room, BET Experience 2025 fanfest, concerts, and more, visit “BET Awards” 2025 Media Application.

The Complete List Of Nominees for “BET Awards” 2025 Are:

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 SHIT                             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

Tyler Perry Studios and Courtney Glaudé Present Psychological Thriller “Old Gray Mare”

Sylvester May 2, 2025

TYLER PERRY STUDIOS AND AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKER COURTNEY GLAUDÉ 

ILLUMINATE THE HARSH REALITIES OF DEMENTIA IN PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER “OLD GRAY MARE”

“Old Gray Mare,” written and directed by Courtney Glaudé —fresh off an overall deal with Tyler Perry Studios —delivers a gripping exploration of the emotional weight carried by families affected by dementia. What begins as minor memory lapses quietly escalates into something far more unsettling. When Steven and Robin return from a peaceful cruise and visit Eileen’s home, they’re confronted with a chilling new reality. This time, it’s more than forgotten groceries or misplaced keys—this time, the truth is impossible to ignore. With a deeply personal perspective, Glaudé crafts a poignant and haunting portrait of love, loss, and the slow unraveling of memory.

Courtney Glaudéis an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and director from Houston, Texas, renowned for his emotionally gripping narratives that tackle complex social issues. He rose to prominence with his critically acclaimed film “The Reading” starring Mo’Nique on BET+, which established him as a master of suspense-driven drama. Glaudé made his television directorial debut with Zatima (Season 3) and Ruthless (Season 6) for Tyler Perry Studios, while also contributing as a writer for Zatima (Season 4) and Ruthless (Season 6). Under an overall deal with Tyler Perry Studios, Glaudé is set to direct his first feature film for the studio, “A Love”, a psychological thriller that explores the dark reality of domestic violence rooted in learned behavior from childhood. In addition to directing, Glaudé will be developing and producing both scripted and unscripted content for Tyler Perry Studios, further expanding his influence in the entertainment industry. Known for his ability to explore deep emotional and societal themes, Glaudé continues to push the boundaries of storytelling while elevating underrepresented voices. Courtney Glaudé’s debut short film “Old Gray Mare” premiered at the Atlanta Film Festival and will continue its festival run with upcoming screenings at ABFF (Miami), MVAFF (Martha’s Vineyard), and BronzeLens (Atlanta) in summer 2025.

Kerry Washington attends Red Carpet for Shadow Force in Atlanta

Sylvester May 1, 2025

Kerry Washington graced the Red Carpet for The Atlanta Film Festival ATLFF screening of SHADOW FORCE.

In SHADOW FORCE, Kyrah (Washington) and Isaac (Sy) were once the leaders of a multinational special forces group called Shadow Force. They broke the rules by falling in love, and in order to protect their son, they go underground. With a large bounty on their heads, and the vengeful Shadow Force hot on their trail, one family’s fight becomes all-out war. 

Directed by: Joe Carnahan

Written by: Leon Chills and Joe Carnahan

Produced by: Kerry Washington, p.g.a., Pilar Savone, p.g.a., Stephen “Dr.” Love, p.g.a., Sterling K. Brown

Executive Producers: Jonathan McCoy, Christopher Woodrow, K. Blaine Johnston, Kathy Atkinson, Quinn Curry, Danielle Reardon, Jennifer Wiley-Stockton

Starring: Kerry Washington, Omar Sy, Mark Strong, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Cliff “Method Man” Smith