Deitrick Haddon speaks out after GloRilla won the Gospel Award at the 2025 BET Awards. He says gospel music needs a reset.
🏆 Deitrick Haddon Speaks Out On BET Awards Gospel Controversy
Deitrick Haddon had time—and a message—after GloRilla took home the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award at the 2025 BET Awards.
Taking to Instagram, the gospel singer didn’t hold back in a 3-minute video where he shared his thoughts on the current state of Gospel music and why he believes the industry is in desperate need of a reset.
“The gospel music industry needs an overhaul period after last night’s show. It’s an indicator that we just need a complete reset. Like, like what are we doing?”
📹 What Sparked Deitrick Haddon’s Comments?
The controversy kicked off when GloRilla won the Gospel category for her song “Rain Down On Me” featuring Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music.
While the track does include gospel heavyweights, Haddon questioned whether it truly belonged in a category meant to highlight artists who live and breathe the Gospel music space.
“Are we allowing this to happen over and over again and wonder why the gospel music industry is dying? Come on, man.”
He emphasized that the genre needs people who are “in the trenches of gospel music”—those who understand, advocate for, and represent the genre from the inside.
💬 Haddon Calls Out Industry Bias And Ratings-Driven Wins
Deitrick didn’t just question the win—he called out the entire structure of how awards are handed out in the genre, pointing to favoritism and repetitive recognition of the same artists.
“We are tired—nobody will say this, but I will—of seeing the same people being celebrated year after year, like there is nobody else in gospel music.”
While he admitted the win might have been great for BET’s ratings, he stressed it wasn’t a win for the Gospel music industry as a whole.
🙏 Is It Time For Gospel Music To Reset?
The “Well Done” singer ended his message with a call to action, proposing a new movement or platform where the sole purpose is to elevate gospel music without politics, favoritism, or hidden agendas.
“Let’s start something where we can come together and have someone advocating for the genre… but to elevate the gospel music genre as a whole—that’s what I feel.”
🎥 Watch Deitrick Haddon’s Full Reaction
Watch the full video below to hear Deitrick Haddon’s passionate thoughts on the state of gospel music and this year’s BET Awards results.
💭 Let’s Talk About It
Do you agree with Deitrick Haddon?
Should GloRilla have won the Dr. Bobby Jones Gospel Award?
Or is this just a sign of gospel music evolving with the times?
Drop your thoughts in the comments or join the convo on our socials.
Related: Claressa Shields Reacts After Losing BET Award To Angel Reese: ‘I Thought Accolades Mattered’
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I agree with Dietrick. I was floored when they announced Glorilla as the winner of that category. Although I like her, I don’t feel she should have won against the others.