BET Awards 2025: 25 Years – The Artists Who Defined the BET Awards Era
Every award show has its darlings. But the BET Awards doesn’t just hand out trophies—it crowns culture-shifters.
Over the last 25 years, certain artists haven’t just collected BET Awards like mantelpiece accessories. They’ve used them as milestones in careers that mirror Black culture’s growth, defiance, creativity, and joy. These are the artists who showed up, showed out, and made BET’s stage their own. Their wins weren’t just expected—they were earned, with impact felt across generations.
Here are 10 of the most defining BET Award winners of the past two and a half decades—the artists who didn’t just win, but helped define the era.
1. Beyoncé
Total BET Awards wins: 35+
Defining era: 2003–presentFrom her solo debut performance of “Crazy in Love” to the Homecoming-inspired tribute at the 2019 show to winning Viewer’s Choice for “Texas Hold ’Em” in 2024, Beyoncé is the BET Awards. No one has evolved through the show’s history more gracefully or more impactfully—from pop diva to global icon to Southern Black cowgirl reclaiming country.
2. Kendrick Lamar
Total wins: 20+
Defining era: 2013–presentWhen Kendrick stepped into the cypher in 2013, he didn’t just spit—he shifted the energy. Whether performing “Alright” with revolutionary imagery or winning Best Male Hip Hop Artist repeatedly, Kendrick has used his BET stage time to balance lyricism, political commentary, and West Coast pride like no other.
3. Nicki Minaj
Total wins: 15+
Defining era: 2010–2024From her reign as Best Female Hip Hop Artist for seven straight years to chaotic Barbie-core performances that broke the timeline, Nicki turned BET into her own pink dream house. Her 2024 win marked a return to form—and a reminder that she helped shape the category into what it is today.
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4. Drake
Total wins: 15+
Defining era: 2010s–presentThough Drake rarely attends the ceremony, he’s omnipresent in every category—from Best Collaboration to Best Male Hip Hop Artist to Album of the Year. Whether through meme-worthy acceptance speeches or viral performances (cough 2016 Rihanna duet), his BET wins have always paralleled his mainstream dominance.
5. Megan Thee Stallion
Total wins: 7+
Defining era: 2019–presentMegan came in hot—literally. From outdoor pre-show stages to commanding the main stage while revealing a pregnancy, her BET journey is a masterclass in rapid ascent. Every win, every performance, every outfit has marked her place in BET’s modern Mount Rushmore.
6. Chris Brown
Total wins: 20+
Defining era: 2005–presentControversial, consistent, and always chart-topping, Chris has maintained a decades-long run as one of BET’s most awarded male artists. His 2024 Album of the Year nomination and continuous presence in Best Male R&B categories prove he’s still very much part of the Awards’ DNA.
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7. SZA
Total wins: 4+
Defining era: 2017–presentSZA’s journey from alternative R&B darling to cultural mainstay has been mirrored by her steady rise at BET. Her 2024 Best Female R&B/Pop Artist win solidified her status as more than a moody favorite—she’s now a queen in her own right.
8. Cardi B
Total wins: 6+
Defining era: 2018–presentCardi turned her first BET win into a media circus—in the best way. Whether twerking while pregnant, performing alongside Offset, or giving side-eye from her seat, Cardi brings chaos, comedy, and charisma every time.
9. Usher
Total wins: 10+
Defining era: 2001–2024From early-2000s abs-out performances to his 2024 Best Male R&B/Pop Artist win for Coming Home, Usher’s relationship with the BET Awards is generational. He’s been the elder statesman of R&B for a minute—and the awards keep proving it.
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10. Lil Wayne
Total wins: 11+
Defining era: 2006–2015, 2024 comebackWayne’s early wins came during the Tha Carter III peak, but his 2024 Best Group win with Ye (as ¥$) proves he’s never out of the conversation. He may disappear from the mainstream now and then—but the BET Awards never forget.
Honorable Mention:
Rihanna – She dominates every red carpet and performance, even when absent.
Victoria Monét – Her 2024 wins marked the birth of a new BET Awards era.Tems – Bringing Afrofusion and gospel into the winner’s circle.
Future – Perennial nominee and feature king.
Mo’Nique & Taraji – Technically not musicians, but their hosting wins? Legendary.
BET Awards wins don’t just reflect popularity—they reflect impact. These artists didn’t just collect trophies. They collected milestones that mirrored the evolution of Black music, power, and performance in real time.Watch the BET Awards 2025 on June 9th at 8 PM on BET.
