BET Awards’ Top 10 Most Legendary Hosts To Ever Take The Stage

Damon Wayans (2006)

Damon Wayans took the mic in 2006 and brought his signature sense of humor and unfiltered satire. Known for his biting comedy and In Living Color legacy, Wayans approached hosting with an edge — leaning into political commentary, social issues, and industry call-outs.

He poked fun at everything from rap beefs to George W. Bush’s presidency, and while some of the jokes sparked side-eyes and raised eye-brows, others landed with much-needed truth. His hosting may not have been the warmest, but it was one of the most daring — proving the BET host can handle more than just reading from a teleprompter, but keeping it real.

Steve Harvey & Cedric The Entertainer (2001 & 2002)

The inaugural 2001 BET Awards were hosted by none other than comedy duo Steve Harvey and Cedric the Entertainer. The two kings of comedy brought their barbershop humor to the BET stage with their undeniable chemistry, cracking jokes about R&B beefs, church hats, and more.

As much pressure as the first-ever BET Awards probably placed on them, their follow-up hosting in 2002 proved that they were a great way to set the tone for 23 years to come. They returned sharper, funnier, and even more comfortable in their roles as they anchored what would become one of Black culture’s biggest nights.

See a clip of the two below.

Samuel L. Jackson (2012)

When Samuel L. Jackson didn’t come with any costume changes or dance breaks during his hosting gig at the 2012 BET Awards, he and director Spike Lee did kick off the show with a hilarious parody of JAY-Z and Kanye West’s “Ni**as in Paris.” It was unexpected of the mature Hollywood stars but definitely worth it. Throughout the evening, Jackson leaned into his signature style: quick-witted, unfiltered, and cool under pressure. He wasn’t overly scripted, but brought his natural presence, matureness, and raw Blackness.

But what elevated his hosting beyond the humor was the respect he brought to the culture. He struck a balance between playful and poignant.

Take a look at his “Ni**as In Paris” performance below.

Queen Latifah (2010)

Queen Latifah, who has been Hip-Hop royalty and Hollywood mainstay for some time now, stepped into the role of BET Awards host in 2010. Latifah effortlessly brought range, humor, and regality as she opened the night in full Set It Off mode, reprising her role as Cleo for a hilarious nod to her cinematic legacy.

Switching up her looks throughout the night, she morphed into the different eras of her music and film career — even dusting off her signature African top hat as seen in her earlier styles.

Take a look below.

Regina Hall (2019)

Regina Hall didn’t just host the 2019 BET Awards — she transformed the Microsoft Theater into a Go-Go celebration of Washington, D.C., in homage to her hometown. As a Howard University alum, she used the BET stage as her personal Homecoming runway, opening the show with a high-energy tribute with iconic musicians Sugar Bear and a cameo by Taraji P. Henson.

Throughout the night, Hall effortlessly balanced political commentary and humor, cracking jokes about Trump’s White House and her fellow celeb friends, while also uplifting the Black and brown faces in the audience.

See below.

Tracee Ellis Ross & Anthony Anderson (2015, 2016)

When Black-ish co-stars Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson took over hosting duties in 2015 and 2016, they didn’t just bring their sitcom chemistry — they brought a full-blown sketch comedy, Broadway theatrics, and a sibling-like rapport that made both shows feel like a family affair.

In 2015, they opened with a hilarious parody of Empire, complete with Anthony dressed as Lucious Lyon and Tracee as a bougie Cookie — leopard print, fur, and all. Their comedic bits throughout the night included jabs at Drake and Meek Mill’s “beef” and even Tracee delivering a surprisingly smooth rendition of Rihanna’s “Bi**h Better Have My Money.”

By 2016, they doubled down on the musical antics with a full-on Hamilton-style rap opener where Anthony spit about police brutality, the 2016 election, and Black excellence. Tracee even gave us another memorable vocal performance that year, taking on Beyoncé’s “Formation” while twirling in her Sunday best.

Revisit their Hamilton moment below.

Taraji P. Henson (2021-2024)

Taraji has been the reigning BET host for the past four years. She’s helped continue the annual celebration as a stylish, soulful, and hilarious ode to Black culture. Her 2021 debut centered Black women, complete with rapid-fire costume changes paying tribute to Erykah Badu, Diana Ross, and more. In 2022, she even opened the show with a Tina Turner-inspired tribute that brought the house down.

By 2023, she was mixing sharp monologues with comedic bits that poked fun at the culture while celebrating it. And in 2024, she proved once again why she’s the go-to: confident, commanding, and always in tune with the moment. She even gave a hilarious live rendition of Kendrick lamar’s “Not Like Us” remixed to “It’s About Us.” With every appearance, Taraji keeps reminding us she’s not just an actress or an icon, but the hostess with the mostess.

See her perform “It’s About Us” below.

Jamie Foxx (2009, 2018)

Jamie Foxx hosted the BET Awards during two vastly different cultural moments, and he rose to both occasions. In 2009, just days after Michael Jackson’s sudden passing, he balanced grief and celebration like only Jamie could — slipping into a sequin glove to moonwalk across the stage and pay tribute to the King of Pop.

Fast-forward to 2018, Foxx returned with a looser and more improvised vibe — even taking a moment to shout out Black Panther and pull the film’s star, Michael B. Jordan, on stage. Foxx truly made the night chaotic a success with his audience jokes, unsuspected antics, and hilarious introductions.

Take a look at Jamie Foxx hosting the BET Awards in 2018 below.

Mo’Nique (2003, 2004 & 2007)

Mo’Nique brought fire and fierceness to every BET Awards she hosted. She made her debut in 2003, but it was her 2004 hosting that stamped her into award show history. That year, she kicked things off with a bold and body-positive rendition of Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love,” backed by a crew of curvy dancers who tore the stage down. It wasn’t just a performance — it was a reclamation.

In 2007, she returned with the same sharp tongue and softer heart, honoring legends while keeping the crowd cackling. Whether she was roasting celebrities or delivering affirmations to fellow Black women in the crowd, Mo’Nique gave the BET Awards a new flair, from the perspective of a vivacious, bold, Black woman.

Revisit her time channeling Bey during her 2004 hosting below.

Kevin Hart (2011)

In 2011 when Kevin Hart hosted the BET Awards, he became one of the most quotable hosts in the show’s history. From the moment he stepped on stage, Hart delivered rapid-fire jokes, funny monologues, and his roast sessions of his fellow peers were unhinged. His legendary line, “You gon’ learn today!” — derived from a riff on his stand-up material — quickly found a permanent place in Black culture’s lingo.

But perhaps the most talked-about moment of the night came courtesy of a spoof sketch that would soon take on a life of its own: The Real Husbands of Hollywood. In the now-iconic parody, Hart teamed up with Nelly, Bobby Brown, Nick Cannon, and Jermaine Dupri to create a chaotic, satirical version of a reality show for celebrity husbands — and it was so instantly loved that BET greenlit it as an actual series the following year.

What made Hart’s hosting unforgettable was his ability to channel the voice of the audience. He pretty much reacted to the show how viewers at home most likely did. He called out what needed to be called out, and celebrated what deserved its flowers. Hart worked the room with perfect comedic timing and an abundance of Black culture appreciation.

Check out a moment from the 2011 BET Awards below.