New York, NY (May 8, 2025) – Today, BET announces “BET Awards” 2025 nominees, with Kendrick Lamar leading the nominations with ten, Doechii, Drake, Future and GloRilla tying with six nominations, Metro Boomin earning five nominations, and SZA and The Weeknd tying 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.
iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, today announced “Outlaws” with TS Madison — a new original podcast series joining the Outspoken Podcast Network and hosted by cultural icon, LGBTQ+ activist and entertainer TS Madison. Premiering Tuesday, May 13, the first episode will feature a candid conversation with Tina Knowles, businesswoman, philanthropist, author and mother of Beyoncé and Solange. Fans can listen to the trailer now, here.
No one does it like TS Madison. Each week on “Outlaws,” the host will chop it up with the internet’s most wanted—living legends and rising stars who will shed their armor for an hour, owning their stories in conversations that feel like odysseys. Listeners can expect some episodes to crack them up—while others might crack them open. It won’t be church, but it will feel sacred. It won’t be therapy, but something will always shift. It won’t be a living room, but it might be the most at-home listeners have felt in a while. It’s the kind of space Madison has spent her whole career creating.
“Being yourself loudly, truthfully and unapologetically has always been my mission, even when it made people uncomfortable,” said TS Madison. “‘Outlaws’ is about reclaiming the power in being different, in being vocal and in standing firm in your truth. Sometimes the world will label you an ‘Outlaw’ just for living out loud, and I wear that title with pride. This podcast is a space for reflection, real talk and revolution. Because when you speak up and stand tall, you don’t just break the mold, you make change.”
“We’re proud to launch a series that amplifies bold voices and uncompromising stories of resilience,” said Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts. “TS Madison brings unmatched energy, insight and heart to every conversation, making ‘Outlaws’ as fearless and impactful as she is.”
Additional guests will include Chappell Roan, Sasha Colby, Lil Nas X, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Laverne Cox, among others.
“Outlaws” with TS Madison is co-created by Tyler Rabinowitz and Olivia Peace, with Rabinowitz and Maya Howard (iHeartPodcasts) serving as executive producer alongside Madison. The series is a part of iHeartMedia’s Outspoken Podcast Network and is co-produced by Turtle Run Entertainment.
All shows on the Outspoken Podcast Network are distributed by iHeartPodcasts. The network aims to amplify, elevate and reflect the diversity, richness and humanity of the voices throughout the LGBTQ+ community. See the current Outspoken Podcast Network lineup of shows here.
The first episode of “Outlaws” with TS Madison will be available on the iHeartRadio app and all major podcast platforms beginning Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 06, 2025 – BET Media Group announced today that it will celebrate the 25th anniversary of legendary music video countdown show 106 & Park with a can’t-miss tribute at “BET Awards” 2025, LIVE on Monday, June 9, on BET at 8 pm ET/PT. Beloved former hosts AJ Calloway, Free, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz, and Terrence J will reunite on stage for a nostalgic celebration of the show that shaped a generation. The tribute will feature electrifying performances from previous hosts 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 106 & Park.
The BET daily music video and interview series shaped an entire generation’s relationship with music. Packed with appearances from the hottest stars in R&B and Hip-Hop, the show quickly became a staple for lovers of Hip-Hop culture as the must-see after-school television event following its premiere on September 11, 2000.
“106 & Park was more than just a music countdown show; it was the heartbeat of Black youth culture and one of the highest-rated BET programs for over a decade,” stated Scott Mills, President and CEO at BET. “From Freestyle Friday to unforgettable live performances, it launched careers, influenced fashion, and became a platform where voices, style, and sound converged. 106 & Park both celebrated and fueled many of the most important musical and culture evolutions that occurred during its two-and-a-half-decade tenure.”
“106 & Park served as a cultural touchstone, embodying the energy, creativity and authenticity of a generation,” stated Connie Orlando, EVP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET. “It provided artists a direct connection to their fans, transforming everyday moments into lasting memories. The show’s legacy continues to influence how we engage with music, connect with talent, and celebrate Black creativity. We are thrilled to commemorate 25 years of this iconic series at this year’s BET Awards.”
106 & Park Activations During Culture’s Biggest Week:
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.
Registration for the free, 2-day BETX Fan Fest opens soon—stay tuned to BETExperience.com for updates and more announcements. “BET Experience” 2025 is co-produced by Live Nation Urban.
The 30-Minute Trial Deep Dive, ‘Burden of Proof: The Case Against Diddy,’ Will Spotlight and Analyze the Day’s Events From the Courtroom and Beyond
Today, ABC News announced a daily show on the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, “Burden of Proof: The Case Against Diddy,” premiering Friday, May 9, at 5:30 p.m. EDT on ABC News Live, the No. 1 streaming news channel. Hosted by “GMA3” co-anchor and senior national correspondent Eva Pilgrim, the 30-minute show will be an in-depth look into the high-profile federal trial of the music mogul. The series will deliver real-time updates and analysis of the defense and prosecution as Combs faces federal charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
The first episode will examine the science behind jury selection and explain the charges against Diddy. The regular, daily cadence for the show will commence on the day of opening statements, currently slated for May 12 and airing daily on ABC News Live at 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. EDT through the end of the trial.
Joining Pilgrim are chief investigative correspondent Aaron Katersky and legal contributor and attorney Brian Buckmire, who will be inside the courtroom during the trial. Their firsthand insights and expert commentary will bring viewers behind the scenes of one of the most consequential celebrity trials in recent memory. Pilgrim will feature additional guests and experts throughout the series to provide audiences with the full scope and impact of the trial.
For more context and analysis on the trial, ABC Audio and “20/20” will be producing twice weekly episodes of the podcast “Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy” hosted by Brian Buckmire, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.
BET+, the leading streamer for Black audiences, announced today the pickup of Tyler Perry’s Divorced Sistas, a new BET+ original series and the first original to launch under Mr. Perry’s recently expanded, multi-year content partnership with BET Media Group – one of the largest deals in the industry with a Black creator. A fresh extension of the Sistas universe, the series will premiere on Monday, June 9, on BET, the day of the 2025 BET Awards, and will be available to stream on BET+ starting Tuesday, June 10.
The ensemble cast features LeToya Luckett (Greenleaf), Khadeen Indréa (Ellis Ever After), Porscha Coleman (Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!), Briana Price (Step Up: High Water), Jennifer Sears (Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Family Funeral), RonReaco Lee (Survivor’s Remorse), DeVon Franklin (Kingdom Business), Donovan Christie Jr. (Tyler Perry’s The Oval), and Robert Christopher Riley (Dynasty).
Tyler Perry’s Divorced Sistas follows five close friends – Rasheda, Geneva, Naomi, Tiffany, and Bridgette – as they navigate life, love, and the challenges that come with divorce, marriage, and dating. As they lean on each other through heartbreak and healing, their biggest test comes from within their own circle, challenging their loyalty, character, and true bond of sisterhood.
“Tyler Perry has been the most incredible partner to BET – delivering record breaking hits and top series year after year,” said Scott Mills, President and CEO of BET Media Group. “And now, we eagerly await the arrival of Tyler’s newest series – Divorced Sistas – a brilliant expansion of the Sistas universe that for years has been the most watched series among Black viewers across television. We’re thrilled to launch this new series with Tyler and further expand the slate of compelling and authentic stories we deliver to our audiences.”
“Divorced Sistas is a story of resilience and the power of female friendship,” said creator, writer, and director Tyler Perry. “It is my hope that audiences will fall in love with these dynamic characters, and that they will be able to explore their own personal truths about healing and love in the process. I’m excited to launch this brand new show, and proud to do it on BET’s biggest night of the year and in their 45th year of programming!”
From Tyler Perry Studios, Tyler Perry’s Divorced Sistas is created, written, and directed by Tyler Perry, who also serves as an executive producer.
In the Season 3 opener of “Hacks,” stand-up legend Deborah Vance, played by Jean Smart, touches down in Montreal to accept the comedy special of the year award at the venerable Just for Laughs festival. The episode allowed the Emmy-winning Max series to finally pay homage to the world’s biggest comedy fest, which for decades was a talent incubator and industry summer camp where deals were struck and comics like Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer and Quinta Brunson were discovered.
But the episode aired at an awkward time. Two months earlier, in March 2024, Just for Laughs filed for bankruptcy after owing millions in unpaid bills to hotels, venues and production companies. It shuttered its global events and production arm, leaving the future of the 43-year-old gathering, the crown jewel of comedy industry events, uncertain.
Then, later that year, Sylvain Parent-Bédard, the head of the Quebec-based company ComediHa!, swooped in, acquiring Just for Laughs and marrying the two brands. With Parent-Bédard as its new president and CEO, the festival made a gradual return this year with small events in Sydney and Bermuda. With new initiatives and a greater focus on development, Just for Laughs hopes Hollywood and beyond will return in droves to Montreal for the rebooted fest, which runs July 16-27. (The lineup has yet to be announced.)
Parent-Bédard, a primarily French-speaking businessman with a sunny smile and spiky hair, launched his first business at age 17, hopping the Canadian border to buy video games from American ports and then selling them in Quebec. He barged into the comedy world in 1997 when he decided to rent a venue, book the comedian Stéphane Rousseau and “call every businessman in the city,” selling tickets one by one over the phone.
He fell in love with comedy. “I wanted to launch Just for Laughs in Quebec City, but the former owner told me it was impossible. So I launched my own festival,” he says, referring to ComediHa!, which he built into a full-fledged production company. “I know what it means to light the stage, to put the sound on, to roll cables for the camera, because I’ve done it myself.” What separates him from Just for Laughs’ previous ownership, he says, is a true passion for comedy and an ear to the ground.
“With all the respect I have for the old owners, you do not manage a creation company with a finance ideology,” Parent-Bédard says. “When I met the CEO of Just for Laughs in 2018, I had the phone number of every stand-up comedian, their management, their agent. He did not have one, but he had the phone number of the bank. He had the phone number of the sponsor. He knew nothing about comedy.”
Spencer Griffin, Just for Laughs’ longtime head of development and creative strategy, emphasizes that while the fest has historically been focused on discovery of new talent, the new regime aims to play a more active role in career development.
This year, Just for Laughs is partnering with Rob McElhenney and his More Better Productions on an initiative geared to writers, Will Arnett and his Electric Avenue banner on a shorts and pilots platform, and YouTube sketch-comedy stars Smosh on a program for social media creators. Those selected for the programs will receive development deals and prolonged mentorship.
“We want to be additive. We want to introduce artists to the industry at the festival and then actually help them succeed in the industry,” Griffin says. “Whereas the old company just said, ‘Good luck,’ now we want to say, ‘Here’s how we take the next step together.’”
While some in the biz are skeptical about the brand’s health just one year out from bankruptcy, Hollywood is still eager to return to Montreal. Even in an era when comedians are self-distributing specials and self-financing movies and TV shows, their representatives still see Just for Laughs as a key-holder to some of the gates encircling the entertainment industry.
“A lot of pipelines have disappeared in this industry in terms of building your career,” says one comedy manager. “Having a respected institution like Just for Laughs backing you and guiding you is actually exciting.”
Source: Variety
Meagan Good (“Shazam!”), Jabari Banks (“Bel-Air”) and Bailee Madison (“Pretty Little Liars”) will star in “Rocky Top College,” the latest screenplay by former NBA player turned filmmaker Jarnell Stokes.
Directed by Jamal Hill (“Sins of the Father”), “Rocky Top College” follows the harrowing journey of Zion Williams, a young African American basketball prodigy from Memphis. After being suspended during his highly anticipated senior year, the nation’s No. 1 ranked prep phenom shocks the sports world by enrolling in a small-time college to continue his quest for NBA stardom. But once on campus, a series of peculiar and disturbing events has him questioning his decision whilst fighting to hold onto his fleeting sanity.
“This story is deeply personal, inspired by real-life experiences, and I’m grateful to have such a talented team helping bring it to life,” said Stokes. “Like Zion, I once walked this path. Basketball was my anchor in an unforgiving world, and I want this film to show young people that hope, and healing are always within reach.”
Stokes will produce the project under his Stoked Bros banner alongside Emmy-nominated producer Aisha Wynn, Nigel Thomas and Rick Benattar. Good will serve as executive producer with Shondrella Avery, Sean Mik’ael Butler, Patrick Strøm, Isaiah Stokes, and Beth Fryman Poulin of Stoked Sports.
Filming is set to begin this month on location in Louisville, Ky.
“The moment Jarnell shared this story with me, I knew it was something special. ‘Rocky Top College’ is more than a sports film – it’s a gripping journey of resilience, and purpose,” said Hill. “We’re exploring the depths of our young hero’s psyche, blending suspense with a unique twist to create an unforgettable experience. I’m excited to bring another production to Kentucky and share this story with the world.”
Good added, “This marks my third time working with Jamal Hill, and my admiration for him began after seeing ‘Brotherly Love’ at its premiere. Beyond being a fan of his artistry, I deeply respect his unique ability to communicate with actors and his collaborative spirit, which leads with confidence without compromising vision. I’m incredibly excited for what we’re about to create together.”
The announcement comes as Stoked Bros continues to make waves in the film industry with powerful upcoming projects like the Cuba Gooding, Jr.-led “Break the Cycle” and “American Smuggler” starring Dennis Haysbert. It also comes on the heels of the company’s launch of sister company Stoked Sports & Entertainment, a full-service management and production company focused on helping athletes and other crossover talent make the leap into film and TV.
Good is repped by Gersh Agency and Atlas Artists. Banks is with WME and Frontline Management, while Madison is represented by Aaron Brown of UTA. Hill is represented by Cultivate Entertainment Partners and IAG. Stokes is repped by Ryan Saul of Evoke Entertainment.
Source: Variety
Mo’Nique is doubling down on the message she delivered to Shannon Sharpe. While on stage for a show, Mo’Nique reminded the crowd, “Yes, I told that n—a Shannon Sharpe leave the white women alone.”
Spike Lee has released the first trailer for his A24 and Apple-backed crime thriller “Highest 2 Lowest” starring Denzel Washington, A$AP Rocky, and more. The movie will be released in theaters August 22 and stream on Apple TV+ starting Sept. 5 after world premiering later this month at the Cannes Film Festival.
Written by William Alan Fox, “Highest 2 Lowest” is loosely based on Akira Kurosawa’s “High and Low,” which follows a businessman deciding whether or not to use his wealth to further his career or save a child’s life. Both “Highest 2 Lowest” and “High and Low” are reinterpretations of Ed McBain’s mystery novel “The King’s Ransom.”
“One of the best things about film school is that you get introduced to world cinema, not just Hollywood,” Lee said about the film last year at the Red Sea Film Festival. “Seeing Kurosawa’s film ‘Rashomon’ and its structure inspired me to make ‘She’s Gotta Have It.’ In ‘Rashomon,’ you have three people who witness a rape, and each gives their own opinion of what happened. In ‘She’s Gotta Have It,’ Nola Darling has three boyfriends who each see her in a different way. From the very beginning of my career, I was influenced by Kurosawa.”
The film marks the fifth collaboration between Lee and Washington. “I’m just glad we got five in,” Lee said of working with Washington. “Highest 2 Lowest” also stars Ilfenesh Hadera, Jeffrey Wright, Dean Winters, John Douglas Thompson and rapper Ice Spice.
The film, produced by A24, Escape Artists, Mandalay Pictures, 40 Acres and a Mule and Filmworks, began production in New York City and wrapped with cinematographer Matthew Libatique in May 2024.
Watch the trailer for “Highest 2 Lowest” below.
Hartbeat, the global entertainment company at the intersection of comedy and culture, along with Color Farm Media, has announced a new podcast series, ReLiving Single, hosted by real-life best friends and Living Single stars Erika Alexander and Kim Coles. ReLiving Single is the official unofficial rewatch series, offering a fresh, in-depth look at the iconic ’90s show that redefined comedy, friendship, dating, and the Black experience for a generation. From “Ride the Maverick” mishaps to classic “woo woo woo” wisdom, each episode delivers behind-the-scenes stories, unforgettable moments, and surprise guest appearances, giving both longtime fans and new viewers a front-row seat to the legacy of Living Single.
ReLiving Single is the newest addition to Hartbeat’s expanding portfolio of original audio content, joining hit series like Gold Minds with Kevin Hart, One Song with Diallo Riddle and Luxxury, and Petty Crimes with Ceara Jane O’Sullivan and Griff Stark-Ennis.
WHO:
WHEN: “ReLiving Single” premieres Wednesday, May 7th and new episodes release weekly on Wednesdays.
WHERE: Watch on The “ReLiving Single” YouTube channel [HERE] and listen wherever you get your podcasts.