When the first BET Awards aired on June 19, 2001, no one could predict how influential it would become—not just as a celebration of Black excellence, but as a stage where culture shifts.

While other shows may scramble to keep up with trends, the BET Awards have always been the trend. The performances are louder. The speeches hit harder. And the fashion? Let’s just say it’s never safe for the timeline.

Now, 25 years later, the BET Awards has given us enough iconic moments to fill a pop culture museum. Here’s a look back at the show’s biggest milestones—the moments that didn’t just make history, but made it Blacker, bolder, and unforgettable.

The inaugural show took place at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas with Steve Harvey and Cedric the Entertainer as hosts. Whitney Houston was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, Destiny’s Child was at their peak, and Usher had the crowd in his palm. BET wasn’t just joining the awards game—it was claiming a seat at the table.

In a moment that felt like the baton being passed across generations, Michael Jackson honored James Brown on stage with a live tribute. It wasn’t just music royalty—it was ancestral recognition.

His performance of “Touch It” brought out everybody: Missy Elliott, DMX, Lloyd Banks, Rah Digga, Papoose—you name it. It was Avengers: Rap Edition. A cypher in motion, complete with a fireproof stage.

Just three days after MJ’s passing, BET scrapped their original show and reworked the entire program to become a live tribute to the King of Pop. Janet Jackson’s teary appearance became an emotional peak the show—and the audience—would never forget.

While headlining Glastonbury in the UK, Beyoncé beamed in a performance of “Best Thing I Never Had” that still rivaled anything live in the room. A reminder: location never limits legacy.

With Ciara, Tinashe, and Jason Derulo dancing through her hits, Janet was honored with the Ultimate Icon Award. Her impact across music, dance, and visuals was cemented—and celebrated on beat.

During his Humanitarian Award speech, Jesse Williams didn’t hold back.

"Just because we’re magic doesn’t mean we’re not real.”

Coming off the buzz of her diss track “shETHER,” Remy Ma shocked the culture by winning Best Female Hip Hop Artist. It was the BET version of a Game of Thrones plot twist.

BET was the first major award show to go fully virtual in response to COVID-19—and they set the bar. Megan Thee Stallion’s Mad Max-inspired performance, D Smoke’s poetic visuals, and DaBaby’s protest imagery made the show feel like art, not a compromise.

With a performance of “U.N.I.T.Y.” by Lil’ Kim, Rapsody, and Monie Love, Queen Latifah was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, reminding the world who the real multi-hyphenate blueprint is.

Afrobeats and amapiano dominated the night. Burna Boy, Tems, Tyla, and Davido turned the BET Awards into a global stage, proving once and for all: Black music is world music.

Beyoncé took home Viewer’s Choice for “Texas Hold ’Em,” ushering in a new country era and kicking down genre walls. Meanwhile, Victoria Monét—after a long, earned journey—won big with “On My Mama,” giving R&B its renaissance moment.

The BET Awards isn’t just a night of trophies. It’s a cultural checkpoint. A stage for Black brilliance—unfiltered, unwatered, and unforgettable. It’s where newcomers become legends. Where protest becomes poetry. Where the moments that move the needle in Black culture are not only recognized—but celebrated in real time.

And every June, we tune in not just for who wins—but for what the night says about where we are, and where we’re going.

Tune into the BET Awards 2025 on June 9th at 8PM on BET