Latest news with #BETAwards'
Kuwait Times
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
Rapper Kendrick Lamar lands the biggest wins at the 2025 BET Awards
Kendrick Lamar was the top winner on Monday at the BET Awards, an awards ceremony honoring Black actors, singers and sports stars. The "30 For 30" rapper won the best male hip hop artist award, best album of the year as well as the video of the year award for 'Not Like Us." The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here. Lamar and filmmaker Dave Free also took home the video director of the year award at the event, which was held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and broadcast on the BET cable channel. "BET has always made sure they're representing the culture right and always put me in the midst of the cycle of what we represent," Lamar said on stage when accepting his award. Host comedian Kevin Hart opened the ceremony by recognizing the BET Awards' 25th anniversary and all of the "history that has been made" on the stage. The ceremony traversed the evolution of Black music, starting with a performance by R&B artist Ashanti that featured a compilation of songs, including her 2002 song "Foolish." Additional performances included other 2000s songs "Ballin'" by Mustard, "1 Thing" by Amerie and "Like You" by Bow Wow. Hart led with jokes while also highlighting the BET Ultimate Icon Award winners of the night, including Kirk Franklin, Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx and Snoop Dogg. The special award was given to those that have paid homage to music, entertainment, advocacy and community impact. Presented by Stevie Wonder, Foxx accepted his award and reflected on his recovery journey after having a stroke in 2023. "I gotta be honest, when I saw the in memoriam, I was like, 'Man, that could have been me'," he said. Another honor included the best female hip hop artist award for rising rapper Doechii. "Trump is using military forces to stop protest," Doechii said in her acceptance speech, addressing the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles, where the National Guard and U.S. Marines are being deployed. "I want y'all to consider what kind of government it appears to be, when every time we exercise our democratic rights to protest, the military is deployed against us," she added.--AFP
Los Angeles Times
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
‘Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)' rapper Silentó gets 30 years for manslaughter of cousin
Silentó, the Atlanta rapper best known for the viral 2015 hit 'Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),' was sentenced to 30 years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty but mentally ill in the 2021 shooting death of his cousin in Georgia. The rapper, real name Ricky Lamar Hawk, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter of his cousin, Frederick Rooks III, in addition to aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during commission of a crime and concealing a death, DeKalb County Dist. Atty. Sherry Boston said in a statement. Hawk, 27, confessed to the killing when police took him into custody about 10 days after Rooks, 34, was found in the wee hours on Jan. 21, 2021, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, Boston said. Emergency medical workers pronounced him dead at the scene, the statement said. Video and GPS evidence tied Hawk to the crime, Boston said. A relative of Rooks told authorities that the victim had last been seen with Hawk. The day Hawk was arrested, his then-publicist Chanel Hudson posted a note asking for prayers for her client and explaining that in recent years he had 'been suffering immensely from a series of mental health illnesses' and would continue his 'efforts of treatment.' In 2016, Hawk was nominated under his stage name for the BET Awards' YoungStars Award along with Amandla Stenberg, Quvenzhané Wallis, Willow Smith and Yara Shahidi. The honor went to Stenberg, the actor famous for playing Rue in the movie 'The Hunger Games.' Hawk went on the syndicated show 'The Doctors' in 2019 wearing a sparkling, Michael Jackson-style jacket and talked about how he was born with 'all type of drugs' in his system and had felt depressed his whole life. He moved in with a great aunt in 2014, he said, and was prescribed ADHD medication without an ADHD diagnosis. Viral fame came a few years later. 'Depression doesn't leave you when you become famous,' Hawk said on the show, which positioned him as a brave inspiration to his peers with mental illness. 'It just adds more pressure. And while everybody's looking at you, they're also judging you.' Things took a dark turn next, however, with Hawk getting arrested in Southern California in late summer 2020 on domestic violence allegations of inflicting corporal punishment on a spouse or cohabitant in Santa Ana. Then, while out on bail for that incident the first week of September 2020, he was arrested again in Los Angeles and charged with two felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon (not a firearm) after he allegedly entered the Valley Village home of two strangers and threatened them with a hatchet. As of Thursday that case was still ongoing in Los Angeles County Superior Court with the next hearing scheduled for September. The assistant district attorney handling that case did not reply immediately to The Times' request for an update. Also Thursday, nine years after it dropped, Silentó's music video for 'Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)' was in the neighborhood of 2 billion views on YouTube. 'Remember when at one point this was playing in every single car around the world,' one commenter said four years ago. It was unclear whether that was posted before or after Rooks was killed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: Cynthia Erivo, Lexa Gates, Josh Levi, Sammy Virji & More
The 2025 BET Awards dominated the weekend with a remarkable — but incredibly long — show that featured standout performances from breakout stars like Leon Thomas and Ravyn Lenae, as well as stirring tributes to Ultimate Icon honorees Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx and Kirk Franklin. More from Billboard Forever No. 1: Sly & the Family Stone's 'Everyday People' DJ Akademiks Denies Taking Payola From Drake During Kendrick Battle Raekwon and Ghostface Killah Release Trailer for 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx' Documentary Kendrick Lamar was the night's biggest winner, taking home five trophies from 10 nominations, including album of the year for GNX and best male hip-hop artist. The Compton MC surprised everyone by showing up in person to accept his album of the year award, making for one of the ceremony's most thrilling moments. Chris Brown was the only other artist to win multiple awards at the BET Awards' 25th iteration, taking home best male R&B/pop artist and the viewer's choice award for his hit single 'Residuals.' In addition to the four sprawling Ultimate Icon tributes, BET also opted to split their in memoriam segment into thirds. For the first section, Sinners star Miles Caton joined Grammy winner Lucky Daye and Grammy-nominated crooner Luke James for a soulful Quincy Jones tribute. Shortly after, Andra Day delivered a haunting rendition of 'Killing Me Softly With His Song' to honor the late Roberta Flack. Near the ceremony's close, rising country star Brittney Spencer took to the stage for a show-stopping cover of the late Angie Stone's 'No More Rain (In This Cloud).' Both performers at Monday night's show (June 9), Lil Wayne and Amerie made headlines for non-awards-related news. Weezy, who recently dropped a remix of 'Banned From NO' with Nicki Minaj, dominated the weekend's music conversation with his new Tha Carter VI album, which was largely met with a tepid reception from fans and critics alike. Amerie also faced a bit of the Internet's wrath thanks to her spotty NPR Tiny Desk '1 Thing' performance, which she quickly came back from via two performances of her signature hit during BET Week. With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Cynthia Erivo's big solo swing to Sammy Virji and Skepta's eclectic new collaboration. Be sure to check out this week's Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below. Somehow, between racking up Oscar nominations as Elphaba in Wicked, guest-starring in Poker Face and hosting the 2025 Tonys, Cynthia Erivo found the time to craft her lush, 20-track sophomore studio LP, I Forgive You. A remarkably subtle record given her reputation for rafter-rattling belts, I Forgive You reaches a scintillating peak about midway through with the soulful standout 'Play The Woman.' Co-written by Erivo, Justin Tranter and Will Wells, 'Play the Woman' finds the Emmy, Grammy and Tony-winning powerhouse opting for a more restrained vocal performance as she paints the guitar-inflected soundscape with vivid pictures of queer love and desire. 'I could run these hands of mine down the map of your spine/ Feel how your heat against my fingertips could make the blood in me rush,' she coos, injecting in each phrase with healthy doses of vulnerability and flirtatiousness. — KYLE DENIS Garage producer Sammy Virji samples Brandy's 'I Wanna Be Down' and Kid Cudi's 'Day & Night' and taps the legendary Skepta to provide a barfest to give us an absolute banger for the summer. Big Smoke's hook is infectious, and his sharp verses show why he's one of the most versatile rappers doing it today. What an absolute banger. — ANGEL DIAZ After spending the last few years pouring into other artists as a writer, Sabrina Claudio turned the mirror back on herself with her freeing Fall in Love With Her project. 'Detoxing' finds Sabs looking to flush away the toxins of an ex who cut her deep. Guitar strings flood the background as Claudio's potent vocals shine through, compared to the more airy texture displayed on other parts of the LP. She told Forbes that 'Detoxing' invokes feelings of nostalgia tied to Coldplay and Avril Lavigne tracks. — MICHAEL SAPONARA A silky, heartfelt ode to infatuation and emotional intimacy, Jon Vinyl's 'Dopamine' is drenched in warmth and sensual energy. From the jump, he lays it all out — this is about being captivated not just by physical beauty, but by a connection that feels both grounding and euphoric. With lines like 'She's a masterpiece, I swear I need it all' and 'My dopamine, the fix I'm looking for,' Vinyl positions this love interest as both his muse and medicine. Lyrically, he blends vulnerability with reassurance, promising presence and protection. 'Dopamine' feels like a late-night conversation wrapped in candlelight, where both people are letting their guards down and simply feeling. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON Fresh off his run as an opener on FLO's recently wrapped Access All Areas tour, rising R&B star Josh Levi has unleashed 'Don't Go' from his forthcoming debut studio album, Hydraulic. Built around an interpolation of Destiny's Child's 'No, No, No,' Levi pays tribute to his Houston roots while offering fresh, uptempo R&B across Tone's sleek production. 'Them other n—as can't hold her/ She like her kisses down low, Kelly Rowland/ She got my game controller/ She wanna rewind, never fast-forward,' he sing-raps in the second verse, riffing on DC4's staccato vocal approach and name-checking OG member Kelly Rowland. — K.D. Produced by Chrissianity, Far Rock and Upstate connect for this unorthodox street single with a hook that pays homage to OJ da Juiceman. Flee Lord, Conway and Eto all deliver stellar verses for this track dedicated to digital scales. Make sure you tare it before weighing up. — A.D. Billboard's Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month for March jets into her next era with the piano-driven 'Latency.' Gates taps into how people are lusting for love, but don't dive in to save face and risk being embarrassed — even when they think the connection is palpable. The 24-year-old described the intoxicating track as a 'sexy fantasy of a love left on delay,' which was born out of a situation of her being surrounded by rich old men. 'It's a tale as old as time,' she says. Watch Lexa live out the fantasy of a true romance, taking her from NYC to the Hamptons in the visual. — M.S. 'All Wins All Year' is a triumphant anthem designed to fuel confidence and ambition. Teaming up with R&B heavyweight Eric Bellinger, rising stars SYX, Steven G, and Dom Belli trade verses with ease, showcasing a collective hunger for success and a refusal to settle for anything less. The track radiates self-assurance and camaraderie as each artist boasts about their come-ups while uplifting their circle along the way. 'All Wins All Year' is more than a flex: It's a celebration of perseverance, loyalty and the unstoppable momentum that comes when you move with purpose and surround yourself with winners. — C.C. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Gulf Today
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Rapper Kendrick Lamar lands the biggest wins at the 2025 BET Awards
Kendrick Lamar was the top winner on Monday at the BET Awards, an awards ceremony honoring Black actors, singers and sports stars. The "30 For 30" rapper won the best male hip hop artist award, best album of the year as well as the video of the year award for "Not Like Us." Lamar and filmmaker Dave Free also took home the video director of the year award at the event, which was held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and broadcast on the BET cable channel. "BET has always made sure they're representing the culture right and always put me in the midst of the cycle of what we represent," Lamar said on stage when accepting his award. Host comedian Kevin Hart opened the ceremony by recognizing the BET Awards' 25th anniversary and all of the "history that has been made" on the stage. The ceremony traversed the evolution of Black music, starting with a performance by R&B artist Ashanti that featured a compilation of songs, including her 2002 song "Foolish." Additional performances included other 2000s songs "Ballin'" by Mustard, "1 Thing" by Amerie and "Like You" by Bow Wow. Hart led with jokes while also highlighting the BET Ultimate Icon Award winners of the night, including Kirk Franklin, Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx and Snoop Dogg. Host Kevin Hart (right) hands album of the year winner Kendrick Lamar multipe BET awards to celebrate his success during the BET Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Monday. AP The special award was given to those that have paid homage to music, entertainment, advocacy and community impact. Presented by Stevie Wonder, Foxx accepted his award and reflected on his recovery journey after having a stroke in 2023. "I gotta be honest, when I saw the in memoriam, I was like, 'Man, that could have been me'," he said. Another honor included the best female hip hop artist award for rising rapper Doechii. "Trump is using military forces to stop protest," Doechii said in her acceptance speech, addressing the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles, where the National Guard and US Marines are being deployed. "I want y'all to consider what kind of government it appears to be, when every time we exercise our democratic rights to protest, the military is deployed against us," she added. Reuters
Express Tribune
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Kendrick Lamar wins big at 2025 BET Awards
Kendrick Lamar was the top winner at the BET Awards on Monday night, an awards ceremony honouring black actors, singers and sports stars. The 30 For 30 rapper won the best male hip-hop artist award, best album of the year and the video of the year award for Not Like Us. Lamar and filmmaker Dave Free also took home the video director of the year award at the event held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and broadcast on the BET cable channel. "BET has always made sure they're representing the culture right and always put me in the midst of the cycle of what we represent," Lamar said on stage when accepting his award. Host comedian Kevin Hart opened the ceremony by recognising the BET Awards' 25th anniversary and all of the "history that has been made" on the stage. The ceremony traversed the evolution of black music, starting with a performance by R&B artist Ashanti that featured a compilation of songs, including her 2002 song Foolish. Additional performances included other 2000s songs Ballin' by Mustard, 1 Thing by Amerie and Like You by Bow Wow. Hart led with jokes while also highlighting the BET Ultimate Icon Award winners of the night, including Kirk Franklin, Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx and Snoop Dogg. The special award was given to those that have paid homage to music, entertainment, advocacy and community impact. Presented by Stevie Wonder, Foxx accepted his award and reflected on his recovery journey after having a stroke in 2023. "I have to be honest, when I saw the in memoriam, I was, 'Man, that could have been me,'" he said. Another honour included the best female hip-hop artist award for rising rapper Doechii. "(US President Donald) Trump is using military forces to stop protest," Doechii said in her acceptance speech. "I want y'all to consider what kind of government it appears to be, when every time we exercise our democratic rights to protest, the military is deployed against us." Reuters
