The ladies of hip-hop got the party started at the BET Awards.
Lil’ Kim and Amerie each took the stage on culture’s biggest night for showstopping performances that got fans talking. The “Crush on You” emcee, long considered the “Queen of Rap,” performed her newly released collab with R&B singer Honey Bxby, “Left Eye (Remix),” during the ceremony’s preshow.
Kim’s BET performance seemed to divide fans, with some critiquing the rapper’s onstage delivery. “That Lil’ Kim performance was hard to watch,” @VashonWade wrote on X.
“I wonder does Lil Kim have regrets?” X user @GuernicaWiliams added.
Other viewers defended Lil’ Kim’s performance and icon status. “She sound cool, choreo tight,” @ItsRezForMe wrote on X. Meanwhile, @charcekage weighed in: “This is so insulting! Lil Kim given less than 3 minutes to perform at the preshow.”
Amerie, best known for her 2000s hits “Why Don’t We Fall in Love” and “1 Thing,” earned kudos for her vocal prowess and aughties nostalgia during a “106 & Park” medley tribute. “The voice is on point here Amerie 😌,” @lexxdadon wrote on X, following the singer’s recent — and widely panned — NPR “Tiny Desk” performance.
“Okay @BETAwards y’all pulling out all of the stops!”, X user @jamaicanmae said. “Making me miss this time in music! @Ameriie ♥️”
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Who is performing at the BET Awards 2025?
Ying Yang Twins (preshow)
Lil’ Kim and Honey Bxby (preshow)
Ashanti
Jim Jones
Amerie
Keyshia Cole
Mya
T.I.
B2K
Bow Wow
Jermaine Dupri
Leon Thomas
Ravyn Lenae
Ludacris
Big Tigger
Kevin Hart
Mariah Carey (with appearances from DJ D-Nice, Anderson .Paak and Rakim)
Lil Wayne
GloRilla (with Keyshia Cole)
Luke James, Miles Caton and Lucky Daye
Babyface, Jennifer Hudson, Tank, T-Pain, Doug E. Fresh, Teddy Riley
Elmiene
Teyana Taylor
Ledisi
Playboi Carti
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: BET Awards 2025 performers: Lil Kim, Mariah Carey, Leon Thomas, more
