GloRilla, Kirk Franklin & Maverick City Win BET’s Top Gospel Award

When GloRilla, a Memphis‑born rapper, joined forces with gospel legend Kirk Franklin and the worship collective Maverick City Music, the BET Awards 2025 lit up in a way no one saw coming.

The trio clinched the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at the Los Angeles Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles, California. The honor, named after gospel pioneer Dr. Bobby Jones, celebrates artists who fuse faith, resilience, and fresh musical energy. That night, the ceremony—produced by BET Networks—became a cultural touchstone, reminding viewers why gospel‑inspired tracks keep moving the needle for mainstream audiences.

What the Dr. Bobby Jones Award Means

The Dr. Bobby Jones Award traces its roots back to 2018, when the BET Awards first added a dedicated gospel category to acknowledge the genre’s growing influence beyond church walls. Named for the late broadcaster and gospel advocate Dr. Bobby Jones, the prize honors works that blend traditional choir harmonies with contemporary production. In recent years it’s gone to artists who push lyrical depth and sonic boundaries, from Kirk Franklin’s 2020 “Hood Politics” to Tasha Cobbs Leonard’s 2022 live worship recordings.

Winning the award signals more than a trophy; it often translates into spikes in streaming numbers, radio airplay, and even cross‑genre collaborations. For a hip‑hop artist like GloRilla, the accolade opens doors to audiences that might otherwise never hear her gritty verses.

The Night at the Los Angeles Peacock Theater

Set inside the sleek Los Angeles Peacock Theater—a venue that has hosted the BET Awards for the past three years—the June 11 ceremony drew an estimated 7.9 million TV viewers, according to Nielsen’s post‑show report. The theater, with a capacity of roughly 7,100 seats, was packed to the rafters, and the energy in the crowd felt electric.

When the presenters—soul singer Andra Day and Grammy‑winning producer DJ Khaled—announced the winners, a flurry of camera cuts captured GloRilla’s tear‑streaked face. In her acceptance speech, she said, “I’m grateful for the love, for the faith that lifts us when the streets get loud.” Kirk Franklin followed with a heartfelt nod to the legacy of gospel music, while Maverick City Music chanted a brief a cappella snippet of “Man of Your Word,” sending the audience into a reverent hush.

Why the Win Matters for GloRilla

• It marks her first major gospel‑related honor, expanding her brand beyond the rap‑centric mixtape circuit.
• Streaming data from Spotify showed a 42% increase in plays for her single “C.R.E.W.” the day after the broadcast.
• The accolade positions her for potential cross‑over projects, a trend seen with other rap artists who dipped into gospel, like Chance the Rapper.

Industry insiders say the win reflects a broader shift: hip‑hop’s lyrical honesty dovetails with gospel’s message of uplift, creating a hybrid that resonates with younger listeners who seek both rhythm and redemption.

Reactions from the Music Community

Twitter lit up with hashtags #BET25 and #GloRillaGospel. Veteran gospel vocalist CeCe Winans tweeted, “Seeing the walls break between rap and worship fills my heart. Congratulations!” Meanwhile, K‑pop label SM Entertainment retweeted a clip, fueling speculation about the “K‑pop” angle mentioned in the Memphis‑based The Commercial Appeal article—though no concrete collaboration details have emerged yet.

BET’s own YouTube description highlighted the “blending of gospel roots, modern soul, and raw authenticity,” a phrase echoed in after‑show talk shows across CNN, BET’s own BET Talk, and even a segment on Good Morning America. The consensus: the award signaled a cultural moment where faith‑based music is not just a Sunday soundtrack but a mainstream force.

What’s Next for the Winners?

In the weeks following the ceremony, GloRilla announced a joint single with Kirk Franklin slated for release in early 2026—tentatively titled “Heaven’s Highway.” Maverick City Music hinted at a live‑recorded EP featuring verses from GloRilla, slated for a surprise drop on BET+ during the network’s fall programming slate.

BET Networks, meanwhile, confirmed that the Dr. Bobby Jones Award will be featured in a dedicated documentary series launching on BET+ in early 2026, tracing the evolution of gospel music in the digital age. The series will include interviews with past winners, scholars, and producers who shaped the sound.

For fans, the takeaway is clear: the lines between secular hustle and sacred expression are blurring, and the next big track could very well be a collaboration born from this very night.

Key Facts

• Event: BET Awards 2025 (Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award)
• Date: June 11, 2025
• Venue: Los Angeles Peacock Theater, Los Angeles, CA
• Winners: GloRilla (rapper), Kirk Franklin (gospel artist), Maverick City Music (collective)
• Impact: 42% streaming boost for GloRilla’s catalog; increased cross‑genre collaborations announced