When Kevin Hart Took No Prisoners at the 2025 BET Awards

Los Angeles, CA — June 10, 2025
In true comedic fashion, Kevin Hart opened the 2025 BET Awards with a razor-sharp monologue that blended humor, cultural critique, and headline-worthy roasts. No celebrity was safe as Hart skewered music industry giants including Sean “Diddy” Combs, Kanye West, and Cardi B, while still managing to spotlight the progress of women in hip-hop.

The comedian, known for his unfiltered commentary and lightning-fast delivery, wasted no time addressing the elephant in the room. In a pointed reference to recent legal troubles surrounding Diddy, Hart jokingly warned against post-award festivities.

“That’s where s–t gets slippery—at them goddamn afterparties. We’re learning a lot about people, ain’t we?” he said, drawing laughs and gasps from the audience.

He then pivoted to Kanye West, whose public controversies have continued throughout the year, including a highly publicized Grammys stunt and the backlash surrounding his song “WW3.” Hart played out a fictional text exchange with the rapper:

“Oh s–t, it’s Kanye... He says he’s out front, waiting for someone to invite him in. We all saw Sinners—don’t let his ass in here. Not tonight!”

Cardi B also caught some comedic heat. Hart referenced a viral yacht-party video that included speculation about pink powder and NFL player Stefon Diggs.

“No yachts, no boats. Cardi B, no pink stuff. What the f–k, none of that stuff,” he quipped.

Despite the roasts, Hart’s monologue struck a balance by highlighting the rise of female rappers in the industry.

“Shouts out to Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Latto, Doechii… pushing the goddamn business in music forward.”

His praise added a thoughtful counterweight to the otherwise irreverent tone, acknowledging the cultural shift and increased visibility of women in hip-hop.

The monologue has already gone viral across social media, with fans and critics applauding Hart’s ability to entertain while tackling serious topics. His performance sets the tone for an awards season increasingly defined by its blend of humor, accountability, and celebration.

While Hart didn’t name every controversy directly, the implications were clear—and that’s part of what made the moment resonate. The 2025 BET Awards didn’t just begin with laughs; they began with a reminder that comedy remains one of pop culture’s sharpest tools.

Image: Kevin Hart by  Memorial Student Center Texas A&M University is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Sean P. Diddy in 2013 by Cannes Lions Learnings is licensed under CC BY 3.0

Kanye West at the Met Gala by Cosmopolitan UK is licensed under CC BY 3.0