BET Awards performances: Mariah Carey brings out Rakim, Snoop Dogg returns
The BET Awards had no shortage of pause-worthy moments, as some of the entertainment industry's finest gathered against the backdrop of protests in Los Angeles.
Mariah Carey debuted new music and treated fans to both a Rakim cameo and some quality throwbacks.
"106 & Park," the once-famed music video countdown show, also received a star-studded tribute with performances from Ashanti, Jim Jones, Amerie, Keyshia Cole, Mya, T.I., B2K, and Bow Wow with Jermaine Dupri.
Didn't get to tune in? Here's a rundown on who performed.
First Ladies of Hip-Hop kick off BET awards
Lil' Kim and Amerie each took the stage on culture's biggest night for showstopping performances that got fans talking. The "Crush on You" emcee, long considered the "Queen of Rap," performed her newly released collab with R&B singer Honey Bxby, "Left Eye (Remix)," during the ceremony's preshow.
Kim's BET performance seemed to divide fans, with some critiquing the rapper's onstage delivery. "That Lil' Kim performance was hard to watch," @VashonWade wrote on X.
"I wonder does Lil Kim have regrets?" X user @GuernicaWiliams added.
Other viewers defended Lil' Kim's performance and icon status. "She sound cool, choreo tight," @ItsRezForMe wrote on X. Meanwhile, @charcekage weighed in: "This is so insulting! Lil Kim given less than 3 minutes to perform at the preshow."
Amerie, best known for her 2000s hits "Why Don't We Fall in Love" and "1 Thing," earned kudos for her vocal prowess and aughties nostalgia during a "106 & Park" medley tribute. "The voice is on point here Amerie 😌," @lexxdadon wrote on X, following the singer's recent — and widely panned — NPR "Tiny Desk" performance.
"Okay @BETAwards y’all pulling out all of the stops!", X user @jamaicanmae said. "Making me miss this time in music! @Ameriie ♥️"
Who performed at the BET Awards 2025?
- Ying Yang Twins (preshow)
- Lil' Kim and Honey Bxby (preshow)
- Ashanti
- Jim Jones
- Amerie
- Keyshia Cole
- Mya
- T.I.
- B2K
- Bow Wow
- Jermaine Dupri
- Leon Thomas
- Ravyn Lenae
- Ludacris
- Big Tigger
- Kevin Hart
- Mariah Carey (with appearances from DJ D-Nice, Anderson .Paak and Rakim)
- Lil Wayne
- GloRilla (with Keyshia Cole)
- Luke James, Miles Caton and Lucky Daye
- Babyface, Jennifer Hudson, Tank, T-Pain, Doug E. Fresh, Teddy Riley
- Elmiene
- Teyana Taylor
- Ledisi
- Playboi Carti
- Andra Day
- Snoop Dogg
- Charlie Wilson
- Kurupt
- Warren G
- Brittney Spencer
- Kirk Franklin
- Cheryl James, aka Salt