BET has officially announced the recipients of its 2025 Ultimate Icon Award: Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Kirk Franklin, and Snoop Dogg. All four entertainers will be recognized during this year’s BET Awards, airing live on Monday, June 9, at 8 PM ET/PT and hosted by Kevin Hart.
Mariah Carey, known for her five-octave range and extensive songwriting catalog, remains the best-selling female artist of all time with over 200 million albums sold. Her list of accolades includes 19 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100—18 of which she wrote herself. Her influence on pop and R&B continues to span generations.
Jamie Foxx, an Academy Award winner, has made his mark across film, television, and music. Recent projects like Back in Action and his Netflix comedy special What Had Happened Was… have added to a career that includes hosting game shows, documentaries, and scripted content through his Foxxhole Productions.
Kirk Franklin, a gospel mainstay, has long blended gospel, hip-hop, and R&B to create music that resonates well beyond church audiences. With 20 Grammy Awards and more than three decades in the industry, his contributions to gospel and contemporary music are well-established.
Snoop Dogg, a household name since the early ‘90s, continues to be a staple in the entertainment world. With over 40 million albums sold and two decades of consistent work in music, business, and media, Snoop has built a brand that reaches across music, sports, tech, and television.
BET’s Ultimate Icon Award has previously been awarded to names like Janet Jackson and Tyler Perry. This year’s honorees represent a wide range of cultural contributions across multiple genres and formats.
Along with the award presentation, the show will include performances by Lil Wayne, GloRilla, Playboi Carti, Teyana Taylor, and Leon Thomas. Kendrick Lamar leads with ten nominations, followed by Doechii, Drake, Future, and GloRilla, each with six.
BET will also mark the 25th anniversary of 106 & Park with a tribute featuring past hosts including AJ, Free, Rocsi, and Terrence J, as well as performances from artists closely tied to the show like Bow Wow, Mya, and B2K.
The BET Experience returns June 7–8, leading into the awards show with fan-centered events and performances.
