# BET Awards

The BET Awards are an American award show that was established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate Black entertainers and other minorities in music, film, sports and philanthropy. The awards, which are presented annually, are broadcast live on BET. The annual presentation ceremony features performances by artists; some of the awards of more popular interest are presented in a televised ceremony.

## Trophy

The Award Trophy, inspired by three words - aspire, ascend, achieve, was designed by artist/sculptor Carlos "Mare139" Rodriguez. Outkast won the first award trophy during the first ceremony in 2001. In 2007, Society Awards, the New York firm who manufactures the award, enhanced the quality of the trophy design using plated steel and black crystal.

## List of ceremonies

The inaugural ceremony in 2001 was held at the Paris Las Vegas resort on the Las Vegas Strip. From 2002 to 2005, the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood hosted the awards. From 2006 to 2012, the ceremonies were held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The ceremony was moved to the Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live in 2013.
| # | Date | Venue | Host city | Host |
| 1st | June 19, 2001 | Paris Las Vegas | Las Vegas | Steve Harvey and Cedric the Entertainer |
| 2nd | June 25, 2002 | Kodak Theatre | Los Angeles | Steve Harvey and Cedric the Entertainer |
| 3rd | June 24, 2003 | Kodak Theatre | Los Angeles | Mo'Nique |
| 4th | June 29, 2004 | Kodak Theatre | Los Angeles | Mo'Nique |
| 5th | June 28, 2005 | Kodak Theatre | Los Angeles | Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith |
| 6th | June 27, 2006 | Shrine Auditorium | Los Angeles | Damon Wayans |
| 7th | June 26, 2007 | Shrine Auditorium | Los Angeles | Mo'Nique |
| 8th | June 24, 2008 | Shrine Auditorium | Los Angeles | D. L. Hughley |
| 9th | June 28, 2009 | Shrine Auditorium | Los Angeles | Jamie Foxx |
| 10th | June 27, 2010 | Shrine Auditorium | Los Angeles | Queen Latifah |
| 11th | June 26, 2011 | Shrine Auditorium | Los Angeles | Kevin Hart |
| 12th | July 1, 2012 | Shrine Auditorium | Los Angeles | Samuel L. Jackson |
| 13th | June 30, 2013 | Nokia Theatre/ Microsoft Theater | Los Angeles | Chris Tucker |
| 14th | June 29, 2014 | Nokia Theatre/ Microsoft Theater | Los Angeles | Chris Rock |
| 15th | June 28, 2015 | Nokia Theatre/ Microsoft Theater | Los Angeles | Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross |
| 16th | June 26, 2016 | Nokia Theatre/ Microsoft Theater | Los Angeles | Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross |
| 17th | June 25, 2017 | Nokia Theatre/ Microsoft Theater | Los Angeles | Leslie Jones |
| 18th | June 24, 2018 | Nokia Theatre/ Microsoft Theater | Los Angeles | Jamie Foxx |
| 19th | June 23, 2019 | Nokia Theatre/ Microsoft Theater | Los Angeles | Regina Hall |
| 20th | June 28, 2020 | Virtual show | Virtual show | Amanda Seales |
| 21st | June 27, 2021 | Microsoft Theater/ Peacock Theater | Los Angeles | Taraji P. Henson |
| 22nd | June 26, 2022 | Microsoft Theater/ Peacock Theater | Los Angeles | Taraji P. Henson |
| 23rd | June 25, 2023 | Microsoft Theater/ Peacock Theater | Los Angeles | — |
| 24th | June 30, 2024 | Microsoft Theater/ Peacock Theater | Los Angeles | Taraji P. Henson |
| 25th | June 9, 2025 | Microsoft Theater/ Peacock Theater | Los Angeles | TBA |

## Ratings

| Year | Day | Date | BET | BET | BET | Cumulative | Cumulative | Ref. |
| Year | Day | Date | Household rating | 18–49 rating | Viewers (in millions) | 18–49 rating | Viewers (in millions) | Ref. |
| 2001 | Tuesday | June 19 | 4.3 | Un­known | 5.20 | No simulcast | No simulcast | |
| 2002 | Tuesday | June 25 | 4.0 | Un­known | 4.40 | No simulcast | No simulcast | |
| 2003 | Tuesday | June 24 | 4.3 | Un­known | 5.50 | No simulcast | No simulcast | |
| 2004 | Tuesday | June 29 | 3.4 | Un­known | 5.60 | No simulcast | No simulcast | |
| 2005 | Tuesday | June 28 | 3.7 | Un­known | 6.58 | No simulcast | No simulcast | |
| 2006 | Tuesday | June 27 | 4.9 | Un­known | 6.60 | No simulcast | No simulcast | |
| 2007 | Tuesday | June 26 | 3.4 | Un­known | 6.39 | No simulcast | No simulcast | |
| 2008 | Tuesday | June 24 | 3.2 | Un­known | 5.85 | No simulcast | No simulcast | |
| 2009 | Sunday | June 28 | Un­known | Un­known | 10.65 | No simulcast | No simulcast | |
| 2010 | Sunday | June 27 | Un­known | Un­known | 7.40 | No simulcast | No simulcast | |
| 2011 | Sunday | June 26 | Un­known | 3.3 | 7.71 | No simulcast | No simulcast | |
| 2012 | Sunday | July 1 | Un­known | 3.2 | 7.42 | No simulcast | No simulcast | |
| 2013 | Sunday | June 30 | Un­known | 3.4 | 7.77 | No simulcast | No simulcast | |
| 2014 | Sunday | June 29 | Un­known | 3.1 | 7.50 | Un­known | 7.90 | |
| 2015 | Sunday | June 28 | Un­known | 2.6 | 6.27 | Un­known | 6.50 | |
| 2016 | Sunday | June 26 | Un­known | 1.9 | 4.50 | 4.3 | 7.20 | |
| 2017 | Sunday | June 25 | Un­known | 1.5 | 3.83 | 3.5 | 5.80 | |
| 2018 | Sunday | June 24 | Un­known | 1.2 | 2.87 | 1.8 | 4.30 | |
| 2019 | Sunday | June 23 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 2.43 | 1.5 | 3.79 | |
| 2020 | Sunday | June 28 | Un­known | Un­known | 1.6 | 1.0 | 3.7 | |
| 2021 | Sunday | June 27 | Un­known | Un­known | 1.7 | Un­known | 2.4 | |

## Nomination process

The nomination process is handled by a voting academy made up of about 500 people from the music industry, involving the media, and bloggers. BET sends out ballots electronically and voters nominate deserving works and artists in all categories who they think should be nominated. Nominations and voting ballots are collated by Yangaroo, Inc., a leading digital distribution firm that works on many other televised award ceremonies, including those of BET's sister networks under parent company Paramount Global. The top nominees are determined in each category, and the winners are selected via the academy members' voting process.

## Award categories
### Defunct awards

* Best Actor & Actress of the Year
* Best Gospel Artist (2001–16)
* J Cool Like That Award (2006–07)
* J Award (2008–09)
* Centric Award (2010–17)
* Best International Act: Africa (2011–17)
* Best International Act: UK (2011–16)
* FANdemonium Award (2010–16)
* International Viewers' Choice Award (2015–17)
* Best International Act: Europe (2017)

### Special awards

The BET Lifetime Achievement, Humanitarian and Ultimate Icon Award recipients, along with the nominees for other categories are announced in a press conference. At the awards ceremony a mini-documentary is shown covering the honorees' life. The awards are given out separately. The Ultimate Icon Award was created in 2015 and presented in the ceremony.

#### Lifetime Achievement

The BET Lifetime Achievement Award is given a veteran artist or group who has made notable contributions to the music industry. The honoree is paid tribute to by current popular singers who perform the honoree's most recognized songs. The honoree will usually perform themselves after being paid tribute.
* 2001: Whitney Houston
* 2002: Earth Wind & Fire
* 2003: James Brown
* 2004: The Isley Brothers
* 2005: Gladys Knight
* 2006: Chaka Khan
* 2007: Diana Ross
* 2008: Al Green
* 2009: The O'Jays
* 2010: Prince
* 2011: Patti LaBelle
* 2012: Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly
* 2013: Charlie Wilson
* 2014: Lionel Richie
* 2015: Smokey Robinson
* 2016: Samuel L. Jackson
* 2017: New Edition
* 2018: Anita Baker
* 2019: Mary J. Blige
* 2021: Queen Latifah
* 2022: Sean Combs
* 2023: Busta Rhymes
* 2024: Usher

#### Humanitarian

In 2002, at the second annual BET Awards, the category for the BET Award Humanitarian Award was created. The Humanitarian Award is given to a celebrity philanthropist who donates their time and money to a charitable cause.
* 2002: Muhammad Ali
* 2003: Earvin "Magic" Johnson
* 2004: Danny Glover
* 2005: Denzel Washington and Pauletta Washington
* 2006: Harry Belafonte
* 2007: Don Cheadle
* 2008: Quincy Jones
* 2009: Alicia Keys and Wyclef Jean
* 2010: John Legend
* 2011: Steve Harvey
* 2012: Rev. Al Sharpton
* 2013: Dwyane Wade
* 2014: Myrlie Evers-Williams
* 2015: Tom Joyner
* 2016: Jesse Williams
* 2017: Chance the Rapper
* 2018: Naomi Wadler, Mamoudou Gassama, Justin Blackman, Shaun King, Anthony Borges and James Shaw Jr.
* 2019: Nipsey Hussle
* 2020: Beyoncé

#### Ultimate Icon

In 2015 and 2018, at the fifteenth and eighteenth annual BET Awards, the category of the Ultimate Icon Award was created. It is given to a veteran artist whose career is deemed iconic by fans and critics alike for their notable contributions in the music, dance and music video fields.
* 2015: Janet Jackson
* 2018: Debra L. Lee
* 2019: Tyler Perry

## Most nominated and winning artists

Below are the current rankings for the most wins and most nominated artist (male & female):
Most wins (as of 2024)
| Rank | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
| Artist | Beyoncé | Kendrick Lamar | Drake | Nicki Minaj & Serena Williams | Lil Wayne |
| Total wins | 36 (with Destiny's Child and The Carters) | 29 | 15 | 13 | 11 |
Most nominations (as of 2017) This is a list of multiple nominated performers, athletes & actors with 5 or more career nominations. Beyoncé is currently the most nominated performer with 81 nominations, solo and with Destiny's Child.
81 nominations
* Beyoncé 73 solo; 8 w/ Destiny's Child
59 nominations
* Chris Brown
51 nominations
* Drake 46 solo; 5 w/ Young Money
37 nominations
* Nicki Minaj 33 solo; 4w/ Young Money
35 nominations
* Jay Z 30 solo; 5 w/ Watch The Throne
33 nominations
* Lil Wayne 28 solo; 5 w/ Young Money
31 nominations
* Kanye West 26 solo; 5 w/ Watch The Throne
23 nominations
* Rihanna
21 nominations
* Kendrick Lamar
19 nominations
* Usher
18 nominations
* Missy Elliott
17 nominations
* Serena Williams
16 nominations
* Bruno Mars
* Venus Williams
15 nominations
* Alicia Keys
* T.I.
14 nominations
* Jamie Foxx
* Ludacris
* Mary J. Blige
13 nominations
* Erica Campbell 2 solo; 11 w/ Mary Mary
* H.E.R.
* SZA
12 nominations
* Common
* Pharrell Williams 10 solo; 2 w/ N.E.R.D.
11 nominations
* Big Boi 1 solo; 10 w/ Outkast
* Ciara
* LeBron James
* Mary Mary
* Snoop Dogg
* The Weeknd
10 nominations
* Kobe Bryant
* T-Pain
* Outkast
* Trina
* Trey Songz
* Tyga 6 solo; 4 w/ Young Money
9 nominations
* Denzel Washington
* Doja Cat
* Jazmine Sullivan
* Kelly Rowland 1 solo; 8 w/ Destiny's Child
* Michelle Williams 1 solo; 8 w/ Destiny's Child
* Taraji P. Henson
8 nominations
* 2 Chainz
* 50 Cent
* Angela Bassett
* ASAP Rocky 6 solo; 2 w/ ASAP Mob
* Benny Boom
* Big Sean
* Busta Rhymes
* Chloe x Halle
* Destiny's Child
* Diddy 5 solo; 3 w/ Diddy-Dirty Money
* Hype Williams
* Idris Elba
* John Legend
* Marsha Ambrosius 4 solo; 4 w/ Floetry
* Miguel
* Omarion 2 solo; 6 w/ B2K
* Justin Timberlake
* Rick Ross
7 nominations
* Don Cheadle
* Erykah Badu
* Halle Berry
* Jennifer Hudson
* Keyshia Cole
* Kirk Franklin
* Mariah Carey
* Ne-Yo
* R. Kelly
6 nominations
* Aaliyah
* Anthony Hamilton
* August Alsina
* B.o.B
* B2K
* Benny Boom
* CeeLo Green 2 solo; 4 w/ Gnarls Barkley
* Keri Hilson
* Lil Jon 3 solo; 3 w/ Lil' Jon and the Eastside Boyz
* Lil' Kim
* Musiq Soulchild
* Samuel L. Jackson
* “Too Short Pants”
* Wale
* Yolanda Adams
5 nominations
* Bow Wow
* Carmelo Anthony
* Donnie McClurkin
* Eminem
* Eve
* Fantasia
* Gabrielle Union
* Jhené Aiko
* Jill Scott
* Keke Palmer
* Melanie Fiona
* Mindless Behavior
* Nelly
* Pusha T 3 solo; 2 w/ The Clipse
* Regina King
* Solange Knowles
* Willow Smith