GloRilla Wins First BET Gospel Award for “Rain Down On Me,” Thanks God in Emotional Speech
Rising star GloRilla—born Gloria Hallelujah Woods received the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award at the 2025 BET Awards, marking a powerful and unexpected moment in her musical journey.
Known for her hard-hitting rap style and breakout success in hip-hop, GloRilla faced an impressive lineup of nominees in the gospel/inspirational category. The contenders included Common & Pete Rock feat. Jennifer Hudson, Pastor Mike Jr., Fridayy, Yolanda Adams feat. Sir The Baptist & Donald Lawrence, Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore & Anthony Gargiula, Tamela Mann, and Rapsody. Despite the stiff competition, GloRilla and her song “Rain Down On Me” featuring Maverick City Music, Kierra Sheard, Chandler Moore, and BET Icon Honoree Kirk Franklin emerged victorious.
In an emotional acceptance speech, the Memphis-born rapper declared:
“It’s a blessing to get the Gospel award first because I owe it all to God,” she said.
“Shout out to Kirk Franklin. I’m not gon’ lie, I was kind of scared to ask him for a feature on this song because ya’ll know how I be rapping. When he said ‘yes,’ I was so excited, I had this song in the vault for so long.”
The track “Rain Down On Me” appears on GloRilla’s 2024 debut studio album Glorious, a project that explores deeper themes of faith, identity, and perseverance while blending genres from gospel to trap soul.
This moment marks a significant pivot in her musical evolution. GloRilla, who was previously nominated for Best Rap Performance at the 2023 GRAMMYs, also won Best New Hip-Hop Artist at the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards, and received accolades at the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards. Yet, this gospel win may be her most personal and spiritually resonant to date.
On the same night, GloRilla electrified the BET Awards stage in a show-stopping performance with Keyshia Cole, performing their hit “Typa” and Glo’s fiery track “Let Her Cook.” Clad in a white fur coat, GloRilla opened her set at a grand piano before revealing Cole perched atop it. Cole performed her classic “Love”—which is sampled on “Typa” adding a nostalgic and soulful dimension to the performance.
The BET Awards, founded in 2001 by Black Entertainment Television, is an annual celebration honoring outstanding Black talent and contributions in music, film, sports, and philanthropy. Broadcast live on BET, the ceremony showcases artist performances and presents awards, with the most popular categories taking center stage during the televised event.
The 2025 BET Awards, celebrating both 25 years of honoring Black excellence and 45 years of the BET network, transcended the typical award show format. This year’s ceremony was a reflection of legacy, innovation, and the cultural power of Black artistry across music, film, and philanthropy.
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