BET Remembers the Legends We Lost in 2025
2025 has been a year of both celebration and major loss in Black entertainment.
From the untimely deaths of Angie Stone and D'Angelo to the tragic passing of Malcolm Jamal-Warner and so many more legends, fans around the world said goodbye to several cultural icons whose work helped shape music, film, sports, and activism.
From chart-topping singers to trailblazing actors, activists, and athletes, these figures not only broke barriers in their industries but also redefined what representation, artistry, and influence look like in the modern era.
Many had careers spanning decades, while others were only beginning to reach new creative heights, reminding fans of both the fragility of life and the enduring power of impact.
Ahead, we look back at the lives and legacies we've lost this year.
*Indicates exact birthdate unknown at the time of publishing.
Ananda Lewis, media personality
March 21, 1973 – June 11, 2025
Angie Stone, musician
December 18, 1961— March 1, 2025
Anthony “DJ Unk” Platt, musician
November 28, 1981 — January 24, 2025
- advertisement
Assata Shakur, activist
July 16, 1947 — September 25, 2025
Betty Reid Soskin, park ranger
September 22, 1921 — December 21, 2025
Cavin Yarbrough, musician
January 22, 1954 —Jun 19, 2025
- advertisement
Carl Carlton
May 21, 1952 – December 14, 2025
D’Angelo, musician
February 11, 1974 — October 14, 2025
Danielle Spencer, actress
June 24, 1965 — August 11, 2025
- advertisement
Don Bryant, songwriter
April 4, 1942 – December 26, 2025
Donyelle Jones Wilson, dancer
July 3, 1979 — December 2, 2025
D’Wayne Wiggins, musician
February 14, 1961— March 7, 2025
- advertisement
Eddie “Supa” Lewis, musician
January 24, 1968 — June 7, 2025
Esaw Snipes-Garner, activist
August 30, 1967 — June 16, 2025
George Foreman, boxer & businessman
January 10, 1949 — March 21, 2025
- advertisement
Glenn “Young Bleed” Clifton Jr., musician
June 6, 1974 — October 29, 2025
Gwen McCrae, musician
December 21, 1943 — February 21, 2025
Howard “Hitman Howie Tee” Thompson, producer
February 2, 1964 – August 2, 2025
- advertisement
Imani Dia Smith
* — December 21, 2025
Irv Gotti, producer
June 26, 1970 — February 5, 2025
Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, aka H. Rap Brown, activist
October 4, 1943 – November 23, 2025
- advertisement
Jimmy Cliff, musician
July 30, 1944 — November 24, 2025
John Edwards, musician
December 25, 1944 — May 9, 2025
Jubilant Sykes, musician
- advertisement
Kimberly Hébert Gregory, actress
December 7, 1972 – October 3, 2025
Lenny Wilkens, NBA hall of famer
October 28, 1937 – November 9, 2025
Lynn Hamilton, actress
*1930 — June 19, 2025
- advertisement
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, actor
August 18, 1970 — July 20, 2025
Mama Mosie Burks, musician
June 18, 1933 — July 7, 2025
Marshawn Kneeland, football defensive end
July 8, 2001— November 6, 2025
- advertisement
Michael “Chicago Mike” Sumler, musician
November 1, 1953 — May 25, 2025
Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, author and activist
October 25, 1946 — October 13, 2025
Mtulazaji “P.E.A.C.E.” Davis, musician
June 15, 1974 – October 24, 2025
- advertisement
Roberta Flack, musician
February 10, 1937— February 24, 2025
Robbie Pardlo, musician
April 21, 1977 — July 17, 2025
Rolling Ray, influencer
September 5, 1996 — September 3, 2025
- advertisement
Roy Ayers, musician
Rufus Lee “Young Noble” Cooper, musician
March 21, 1978 – July 4, 2025
Sam Moore, musician
October 12, 1935 – January 10, 2025
- advertisement
Shani Lynn Saxon
*1973 — December 8, 2025
Sly Stone, musician
March 15, 1943 – June 9, 2025
Tevin “T-” Hood, musician
March 17, 1992 — August 8, 2025
- advertisement
Viola Fletcher, Tulsa Race Massacre survivor
May 10, 1914 — November 24, 2025
Vivian Ayers Allen, poet
July 29, 1923 – August 18, 2025
Voletta Wallace, legacy builder
February 14, 1947 - February 21, 2025
- advertisement
Walter Scott, musician
*1944 — June 26, 2025
Wayne Lewis, musician
April 13, 1957 — June 5, 2025
