The 2025 BET Awards Celebrates 25 Years of 106 & Park
Millennials everywhere were on their feet last night (June 9) as this year's BET Awards paid homage to 25 years of the network's most iconic music show 106 & Park.
Keshia Chanté, who hosted the show alongside Bow Wow between 2013 and 2015, kicked off the epic reunion in the show's original format, with a Hall of Fame countdown of artists the viewers voted for the most.
With an exact replica of the show's stage serving as a backdrop, the former host opened up with the show's famous intro: "Welcome to 106 & Park! BET's Top Ten Live!" and brought the first three artists out.
First out the gate was Ashanti, "the first female artist to ever have a video retired on the 106 countdown". The singer/songwriter, who looked "snatched" in a black leather ensemble amidst pregnancy rumors, performed a medley of her hits "Happy", "Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)", and "Foolish".
Immediately following Ashanti was a real throwback performance by The Diplomats/Dipset founding member Jim Jones. Jones performed his 2006 hit "We Fly High", which garnered a favorable response of "ballin!" from the crowd. The Harlem rapper, who danced and smiled throughout his entire performance, was decked out in a red snapback hat, dark shades, a number 16 jersey, camouflage pants with one leg pulled up and a chain hanging from the belt, sneakers, and "bling" around his neck and wrists.
Ending this first part of the countdown was Amerie with an electrifying performance of her 2005 hit "1 Thing". Joined by six backup dancers, the ladies wore champagne-colored leotards and brought summertime vibes to the stage. This performance follows the singer's June 6 NPR Tiny Desk performance for Black Music Month where she sang hits "Talkin' to Me", "Why Don't We Fall in Love", "Mine", "I Just Died", "Rolling Down My Face", "Talkin' Bout" and "1 Thing".
Next up was Terrence J, who hosted 106 alongside Rocsi from 2006 to 2012. In an effort to see if he still "got it", he opened up his part of the show with his tagline: "Welcome back to BET's 106 & Park Top Ten Live! It's ya boy, Terrence J. I'm here rocking with the livest audience in the world!"
He thanked everyone, on behalf of himself and Rocsi, who was absent, for watching the show, and introduced Keyshia Cole to the stage.
Cole performed her 2004 hit "I Should Have Cheated", which was followed by singer Mýa who gave full choreography with her 2000 hit "Case of the Ex".
Julissa Bermúdez and Rap City: The Bassment host Big Tigger, who stood in the gap between A.J. and Free's departure in 2005 and Terrence J and Rocsi's start in 2006, were up next. Burmúdez sent a shoutout to fellow hosts Paigion (2012-14) and Shorty the Prince (2012-13), before the duo brought "King of the South" rapper T.I. to the stage.
The Atlanta rapper opened up with his 2004 hit "Bring Em Out" and closed with his 2006 hit "What You Know", before the camera returned to the 106 stage where original and beloved host Free was standing by.
Free, who hosted the show alongside A.J. Calloway from 2000 to 2005, could barely get her words out to begin her segment for the cheers from the crowd. But after a few moments, she continued with her intro, shouting out Harlem, and bringing B2K to the stage.
The group, who has faced much conflict throughout its tenure, performed their 2002 hit "Bump, Bump, Bump", with Lil' Fizz rapping his verse. The crowd hung onto every word and dance move while Omarion, Raz-B, J-Boog and Lil' Fizz put on a seemingly enjoyable united front and performance.
As the camera panned back to the 106 stage, all five hosts reunited one last time as they sent a shoutout to Calloway, who was absent, but who sat down with For the Fellas to reflect on the show and BET, as well as the show's creator Stephen Hill, who was in the audience, before introducing Bow Wow.
"Hold on, hold on, hold on. We can't have a 106 & Park reunion without shouting out Mr. 106 & Park himself," said Bow Wow's co-host Keshia Chanté.
Free added, "That's right. For over a decade, y'all called in, y'all voted online, y'all camped out outside. Y'all had Bow Wow all over your shirts. Live on that 106 & Park couch, he just always was there since he was this little. So our final video comes from none other than Bow Wow with 'Take Ya Home' right here on 106 & Park!"
The Ohio and Atlanta rapper opened his performance with a dance solo by Shayla Alayre Caldwell to his 2001 hit "Take Ya Home", which quickly transitioned into his 2005 song with ex-girlfriend Ciara "Like You".
The rapper closed out his performance with his 2005 hit "Fresh Azimiz" with a guest appearance by longtime mentor and producer Jermaine Dupri who rapped the hook.
