The 2026 BET Awards took place on Sunday, June 28, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with comedian Druski hosting the 26th edition of the show.
Cardi B entered the night as the most nominated artist, with six nods, including Album of the Year for Am I the Drama? and Best Collaboration for “Errtime Remix” featuring Jeezy and Latto. She left with one award, Best Female Hip Hop Artist, after her album lost Album of the Year to Clipse’s Let God Sort Em Out. Clipse also won Best Group and Best Collaboration for “Chains & Whips,” a track featuring Kendrick Lamar.
Lamar had a strong night of his own, winning Best Male Hip Hop Artist for the ninth time, a record in that category. According to Billboard, he has now won the award more times than Drake (four wins) and Ye (formerly Kanye West; three wins) combined.
Teyana Taylor received the Icon of the Year award, sponsored by Hyundai, presented to her by Janet Jackson. Taylor also won Best Actress and Video Director of the Year for her short film “Escape Room.” Speaking on stage, she said:
“I’m accepting what I’ve earned, with gratitude.”
Lauryn Hill was honored with the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award, sponsored by Sprite.
Other notable winners included Michael B. Jordan, who won Best Actor for Sinners, a film that also won Best Movie, beating One Battle After Another, which had won the Oscar for Best Picture in March. Olivia Dean won Best New Artist, a category she also won at the Grammy Awards on February 1, making her the fifth artist to win Best New Artist at both shows, following Alicia Keys, John Legend, Sam Smith and Chance the Rapper.
Kehlani’s video for “Folded” won Video of the Year, beating Doechii’s “Anxiety,” which had won a Grammy for Best Music Video earlier in the year.
Nigerian and Afrobeats acts featured prominently among the nominees but did not win this year. Wizkid and Asake were nominated for Best Group, while Tems received nods for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, BET Her, and Viewers’ Choice. Burna Boy, who featured on Gunna’s “wgft,” was also nominated for Best Collaboration. Tyla didn’t win this year. She was nominated for Video of the Year for “Chanel,” but that category went to Kehlani’s “Folded.” None of the three reports list her as a winner in any other category.
Doja Cat and Latto recorded the night’s biggest shutouts, each losing all four of their nominations.
Performers on the night included Cardi B, Doechii, Queen Latifah, Common, Don Toliver, French Montana and Max B, Jill Scott, Kehlani, Rick Ross, Tems, T.I. and the War and Treaty.
