Kendrick Lamar won album of the year at the 2025 BET Awards for his 2024 LP GNX. The BET Awards was held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, CA, on June 9th. It’s noteworthy to mention that Lamar has won the album of the year award twice, last in 2018 for his Pulitzer Prize-winning album Damn.
“I ain’t been here in a long time, but I always kept it in my heart,” the 37-year-old stated while receiving his award.
“BET always makes sure its representing the culture right,” Dot stated. “I’ll always give my heart to BET.”
During the ceremony, Lamar thanked his collaborator SZA, who was excitedly cheering him. He also thanked God and his team at his company, PGLang.
Before Lamar could leave the stage, Kevin Hart, the night’s host, unceremoniously presented him with several other BET trophies, totaling 5 out of 10 awards as the show’s top nominee.
The Compton native could barely hold all the prizes as he walked offstage with them.
Here’s a list of awards Lamar snagged at the BET Awards:
- Album of the Year: GNX
- Best Collaboration: “Luther” ft. SZA
- Best Male Hip Hop Artist: For the 8th time!
- Video Director of the Year with Dave Free
- Video of the Year: “Not Like Us”
GNX, released in November, spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and produced several Billboard Hot 100 hits.
In addition to his Grand National Tour with SZA in support of the album, Lamar is kicking off the year with impressive momentum following his success in 2024.
L-R: Kendrick Lamar at the Super Bowl LIX Pregame + Apple Music Halftime Show Press Conference on February 6, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana – Photo Credit: Christopher Polk; Promotional flyer of co-headliners Kendrick Lamar and SZA for the Grand National Tour, running from April to December 2025 SZA – Courtesy of PGLang; Kendrick Lamar and SZA at the BET Awards 2025, at the Peacock Theater on June 9, 2025 in Los Angeles, California – Photo Credit: Christopher Polk
Lamar has already made a significant impact this year by performing at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. He also achieved remarkable success at the 2025 Grammy Awards, winning five awards including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video for his track Not Like Us. Additionally, he received accolades for Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album and Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song at the NAACP Image Awards in February 2025, highlighting his impressive beginning to the year.
