BET Awards

Last updated
BET Awards
Current: BET Awards 2024
Bet-awards-trophy.jpg
A BET Award from 2018
Awarded forOutstanding achievements in the entertainment industry
CountryUnited States
Presented by BET
First awardedJune 19, 2001;23 years ago (2001-06-19)
Website http://www.bet.com/shows/bet-awards.html   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

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.

Contents

Trophy

The Award Trophy, inspired by three words - aspire, ascend, achieve, was designed by artist/sculptor Carlos "Mare139" Rodriguez. [1] 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.

Most recent BET Awards winners
  2023 June 30, 2024 2025 
  Killer Mike The Circus 2017.png Victoria Monet (33269922475) (cropped).jpg
Award Album of the Year Video of the Year
Winner Killer Mike
Michael
Victoria Monét
"On My Mama"
  Tyla for Vogue 2024 01.jpg Lil Durk in 2022.png

HOTSPOTATL - 21 Savage & J.Cole Light Birthday Bash ATL 2023 On FIRE (xu6HKf40MX0 - 2m38s) (cropped).jpg

Award Best New Artist Best Collaboration
Winner Tyla Lil Durk featuring J. Cole
"All My Life"
#DateVenueHost cityHost
1st June 19, 2001 Paris Las Vegas Las Vegas Steve Harvey and Cedric the Entertainer
2nd June 29, 2002 Kodak Theatre Los Angeles
3rd June 24, 2003 Mo'Nique
4th June 29, 2004
5th June 28, 2005 Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
6th June 27, 2006 Shrine Auditorium Damon Wayans
7th June 26, 2007 Mo'Nique
8th June 24, 2008 D. L. Hughley
9th June 28, 2009 Jamie Foxx
10th June 27, 2010 Queen Latifah
11th June 26, 2011 Kevin Hart
12th July 1, 2012 Samuel L. Jackson
13th June 30, 2013 Nokia Theatre/
Microsoft Theater
Chris Tucker
14th June 29, 2014 Chris Rock
15th June 28, 2015 Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross
16th June 26, 2016
17th June 25, 2017 Leslie Jones
18th June 24, 2018Jamie Foxx
19th June 23, 2019 Regina Hall
20th June 28, 2020Virtual show Amanda Seales
21st June 27, 2021Microsoft Theater/
Peacock Theater
Los Angeles Taraji P. Henson
22nd June 26, 2022
23rd June 25, 2023
24th June 30, 2024Taraji P. Henson

Ratings

YearDayDate BET Cumulative Ref.
Household rating 18–49 rating Viewers
(in millions)
18–49 rating Viewers
(in millions)
2001 TuesdayJune 194.3Un­known5.20No simulcast [2]
2002 June 254.0Un­known4.40 [2]
2003 June 244.3Un­known5.50 [2]
2004 June 293.4Un­known5.60 [3] [4]
2005 June 283.7Un­known6.58 [5]
2006 June 274.9Un­known6.60 [6]
2007 June 263.4Un­known6.39 [7]
2008 June 243.2Un­known5.85 [8]
2009 SundayJune 28Un­knownUn­known10.65 [9]
2010 June 27Un­knownUn­known7.40 [10]
2011 June 26Un­known3.37.71 [11]
2012 July 1Un­known3.27.42 [12]
2013 June 30Un­known3.47.77 [13]
2014 June 29Un­known3.17.50Un­known7.90 [14] [15]
2015 June 28Un­known2.66.27Un­known6.50 [16] [15]
2016 June 26Un­known1.94.504.37.20 [17] [18]
2017 June 25Un­known1.53.833.55.80 [19] [20]
2018 June 24Un­known1.22.871.84.30 [4] [21]
2019 June 231.41.02.431.53.79 [22] [23]
2020 June 28Un­knownUn­known1.61.03.7 [24]
2021 June 27Un­knownUn­known1.7Un­known2.4 [25]

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. [26] [27] [28]

Award categories

Current awards

Defunct awards

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.

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.

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.

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) [30]

Rank1st2nd3rd4th5th
Artist Beyoncé Kendrick Lamar Drake Nicki Minaj & Serena Williams Lil Wayne
Total wins36 (with Destiny's Child and The Carters) [31] 29151311

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.[ citation needed ]

81 nominations

59 nominations

51 nominations

37 nominations

35 nominations

33 nominations

31 nominations

23 nominations

21 nominations

19 nominations

18 nominations

17 nominations

16 nominations

15 nominations

14 nominations

13 nominations

12 nominations

11 nominations

10 nominations

9 nominations

8 nominations

7 nominations

6 nominations

5 nominations

See also

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