Rising rap star Doechii used her moment in the spotlight at the 2025 BET Awards to speak truth to power. While accepting the award for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, the “Alter Ego” rapper delivered one of the night’s most impactful speeches, calling out former President Donald Trump’s aggressive military response to protests in Los Angeles.
Held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Monday (June 9), the 25th annual ceremony celebrated Black excellence across music, television, and culture — but it also unfolded under the shadow of real-world unrest. Protests erupted across L.A. over the weekend in response to immigration raids that critics have called unlawful and inhumane. Amid clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement — and the deployment of the National Guard by Trump’s administration — Doechii used her platform to speak directly to the chaos happening just outside the venue doors.
“This is my first time at the BET Awards,” she began, visibly emotional yet composed. “I want to thank my team, my fans, and all the incredible women nominated alongside me tonight. But as much as I’m honored by this award, I do want to address what’s happening right now outside of the building.”
Without hesitation, she took aim at Trump and his actions in L.A.: “There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order,” Doechii said, referring to the recent immigration raids. “Trump is using military forces to stop a protest, and I want y’all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us.”
Her bold words drew gasps and applause from the audience. “What type of government is that?” she continued. “What does it say when peaceful people are met with force, just for standing up for their families and their future?”
Doechii’s speech resonated deeply, especially as thousands of protesters continued to gather across Los Angeles. According to reports, demonstrations near City Hall and the federal courthouse grew increasingly tense, with major streets and freeways shut down. Over the weekend, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a formal request to rescind the National Guard deployment, declaring it an unconstitutional use of federal power.
Amid this tense backdrop, BET confirmed on Sunday that the awards show would proceed as planned — but the network also acknowledged the gravity of the situation. Still, it was Doechii who gave voice to the people directly affected.
“People are being swept up and torn from their families,” she continued, her voice unwavering. “And I feel it’s my responsibility as an artist to use this moment to speak up for all oppressed people — for Black people, for Latino people, for trans people, for the people in Gaza.”
Her message was crystal clear: injustice anywhere affects us all. “We all deserve to live in hope and not in fear,” she said. “And I hope we stand together, my brothers and sisters, against hate — and that we protest against it.”
The crowd responded with a roaring ovation, many rising to their feet in solidarity. For Doechii, it wasn’t just about accepting an award — it was about standing for something greater than herself.
Her speech echoed sentiments shared by many artists throughout the night, but none matched the urgency or clarity of her call to action. As she left the stage, BET cameras captured fans, celebrities, and fellow artists visibly moved by her courage.
The rapper’s win marked a huge milestone in her rising career. Doechii has become one of hip-hop’s most promising new voices, blending sharp lyricism with bold visuals and a fearless persona. Her music has consistently pushed boundaries, and Monday night proved her activism does the same.
Heading into the awards, Kendrick Lamar led with 10 nominations, followed by big names like Drake, GloRilla, Future, and Leon Thomas. GloRilla, who also performed during the event, was among the artists praised for her electrifying stage presence. Meanwhile, host Kevin Hart brought humor and heart to the show, keeping the audience engaged in a night that balanced celebration and social consciousness.
But in the end, it was Doechii who became the evening’s moral compass — a young artist using her hard-earned spotlight not just to shine, but to illuminate the truth.
Her final words stayed with the crowd long after the cameras stopped rolling: “Thank you, BET. Thank you to everyone who’s protesting and standing up for justice. We see you. I see you. And I’m with you.”