Why did Jamie Foxx receive the Ultimate Icon award at the BET Awards 2025?

Jamie Foxx, born Eric Marlon Bishop, is an actor, comedian and singer who has been in the game for nearly 40 years now. The 57-year-old is known for his early comedy, and then his run of sitcoms, notably in ‘In Living Colour’ as Wanda, a recurring character in ‘Roc’, and then, in 1996, his own sitcom, ‘The Jamie Foxx Show’. After this, Foxx began starring alongside A-List actors such as Will Smith and Tom Cruise in a series of films. He received two Academy Award nominations, winning one for Best Actor in 2005 in the film ‘Ray’ where he played Ray Charles.

Foxx’s musical career was somewhat under the radar until the early 2000s. Whilst he had released an album on Fox’s record label, titled ‘Peep This’, it was not really until 2003 where he was noticed as a talented musician. His feature on Twista’s ‘Slow Jamz’ alongside Kanye West earned him a number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles in the US. His second collaboration with West, titled ‘Gold Digger’ instantly became a classic and still retains the same popularity to this day. 2005 saw Foxx release his second album ‘Unpredictable’, which received much more attention than his debut. He remained acting during his musical career, and released another album titled ‘Intuition’ in 2008. He is widely known for both solo music, but also a plethora of collaborations. Since this, Foxx has become a hugely respected actor and singer, with quite a few brewing classics, and this made him a perfect fit for the Ultimate Icon award at this year’s BET Awards, which took place on 9 June. 

In a last couple of years, Foxx has opened up about health struggles which really changed the course of his life. The father of two was hospitalised in 2023 after an unknown medical emergency, and ended up being treated by a rehab facility in Chicago that specialised in strokes and brain injuries. It was undoubtedly an extremely impactful time in the singer’s life, where he soon revealed it was a brain bleed that led to a stroke. Thankfully, the star has recovered, so much so that for a man who could not walk two years ago, was able to walk his daughter Corinne down the aisle last December. 

At the BET Awards, Foxx was honoured with the Ultimate Icon Award, and was presented this accolade by the legendary Stevie Wonder. His speech was no doubt inspiring for everyone in the room, and those watching it online. He was achingly honest in stating that after seeing the ‘In Memoriam’ section of the ceremony, he realised he could have been featured had things gone differently. Fighting back tears, he used this to remind everyone that he will not take his second chance at life for granted. He said “I have so much love to give.” His speech was equally emotional and humourous, which felt so authentic and true to the nature of Foxx’s career. It was a fittingly heartwarming speech.

Just as last year’s tribute performance for Usher featured many popular black artists, so did this year’s performance for Jamie Foxx’s career. Actor and comedian Craig Robinson introduced us to a series of performers, including Babyface, Teddy Riley, Ludacris, Tank, T-Pain, Dougie Fresh and Jennifer Hudson. I really enjoyed Babyface and Ludacris’ rendition of ‘Unpredictable’, but the standout performance for ma has to go to EGOT-winner Jennifer Hudson, who blew the house down with her powerhouse vocals. She sang Ray Charles’ ‘I Got a Woman’, to honour Foxx’s use of his sample in his most famous track ‘Gold Digger’ with Kanye West.

The tribute and speech were standouts of the ceremony, and really showed how loved and respected Jamie Foxx is, for the kind, funny and positive human being that he endeavours to be, no matter how hard times may get.