Get ready to relive the moments that defined an era!
The 2025 BET Awards is bringing the culture all the way back with a star-studded tribute to 106 & Park, the legendary music countdown show that raised an entire generation on Hip-Hop and R&B, BET reports.
Announced recently by BET Media Group, this year’s BET Awards will celebrate the 25th anniversary of 106 & Park with the return of its most beloved hosts. AJ Calloway, Free, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz, and Terrence J will reunite on stage to honor the show that wasn’t just television, but a larger cultural movement during the early 2000s.
“106 & Park was more than just a music countdown show; it was the heartbeat of Black youth culture and one of the highest-rated BET programs for over a decade,” said Scott Mills, President and CEO of BET. “From Freestyle Friday to unforgettable live performances, it launched careers, influenced fashion, and became a platform where voices, style, and sound converged.”
And what’s a reunion without the music? The tribute will include live performances from the artists who made the stage legendary: Bow Wow (aka Mr. 106 & Park), Amerie, B2K, Jim Jones, Mya, T.I., and more surprise guests set to reignite the energy that made weekday afternoons unforgettable.
“106 & Park served as a cultural touchstone, embodying the energy, creativity and authenticity of a generation,” added Connie Orlando, EVP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET. “The show’s legacy continues to influence how we engage with music, connect with talent, and celebrate Black creativity. We are thrilled to commemorate 25 years of this iconic series at this year’s BET Awards.”
The celebration won’t be limited to the stage. As part of Culture’s Biggest Week, BET is rolling out a weekend of immersive 106 & Park experiences at the BET Experience Fan Fest. Live from the Los Angeles Convention Center on June 7th and 8th, fans will witness the return of Freestyle Friday, with a reimagined battle featuring rising stars and special guests. The nostalgia continues with photo ops on a recreated set, performances, and host reunions that bring the show’s history to life.
On the night of the BET Awards, Terrence J will kick off the celebration from the red carpet during “Red Carpet Live,” complete with a classic freestyle battle, the premiere of a new music video, and iconic throwback moments. Bow Wow will also bring his signature charisma as host of BET Social LIVE.
Then, the main event. The live broadcast of the BET Awards from the Peacock Theater will be a full-circle moment, celebrating not only the legacy of 106 & Park but the evolution of Black music, style, and storytelling that the show so powerfully amplified. It’s a tribute not just to a program, but to a cultural era that helped shape the sounds, stars, and spirit of a generation.
It’s been 25 years since that first countdown aired, and now, the culture is counting down again—for the reunion we didn’t know we needed but absolutely deserve.
The 2025 BET Awards airs live on Monday, June 9th, at 8 PM ET/PT on BET.
Cover photo: 106 & Park to Celebrate 25 Years of With an Epic Reunion at the 2025 BET Awards/Photo credit: John Ricard/FilmMagic