Kirk Franklin Honored as Ultimate Icon at 2025 BET Awards, Delivers Powerful Speech and Medley Performance
Grammy Award-winning gospel legend Kirk Franklin was honored with the Ultimate Icon Award at the 2025 BET Awards, capping off the night with a stunning medley performance featuring Tamar Braxton, Muni Long, Jamal Roberts, and Salt of Salt-N-Pepa.
During his moving acceptance speech, Franklin reflected on his personal journey and the healing power of music:
“I never felt the love of a mother or a father,” he said while speaking on his experience with adoption. “The only time I felt love was when I sat behind the piano and wrote songs to Jesus. People loved my songs and the more I wrote, the more people listened. Thank you to all of you that still listen. Thank you to every group, singer, musician that’s been the microphone to my pain.”
He continued with a vulnerable and powerful declaration:
“I am not perfect,” he told the crowd. “I fail, I sin, I am not a perfect Christian, I’m not a perfect husband, and we all know I’m not a perfect father. I’m not even a perfect artist because I can’t even sing, which makes this award even more amazing, because what I really do don’t make sense and if you’re listening to this that’s when you know it’s God when it don’t make sense.”
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Franklin then closed the show with a high-energy medley of his greatest hits, including “Stomp,” “Silver & Gold,” and “Melodies From Heaven.” Actor and comedian D.C. Young Fly opened the segment with a fiery sermon, setting the tone for an electrifying remix of “Revolution,” performed by Franklin and his ensemble of gospel artists.
Franklin joined an elite list of honorees on the night, alongside Snoop Dogg, Mariah Carey, and Jamie Foxx, who were also recognized with Ultimate Icon Awards for their lasting impact on music and entertainment.
The BET Awards, first launched in 2001 by Black Entertainment Television, continue to celebrate Black excellence across music, film, sports, and philanthropy. The 2025 edition was particularly momentous, commemorating 25 years of the BET Awards and 45 years of the BET network, reflecting a rich legacy and a bold vision for the future of Black artistry.
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