The 2026 BET Awards celebrated Black excellence across music, film, television, and sports on Sunday, June 28, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Comedian Druski hosted the ceremony, which aired live on BET and other Paramount networks. Teyana Taylor and hip-hop duo Clipse led the night with three competitive wins each, while Kendrick Lamar and Kehlani followed closely with two awards apiece.
Taylor’s wins included Best Actress for her role in One Battle After Another, Video Director of the Year, and the newly introduced Fashion Vanguard Award. She also received the honorary Icon of the Year award, presented by Janet Jackson, who left Taylor emotional during the ceremony. Her success extends beyond the BET stage, as she also earned a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination for the same film.
Clipse secured Album of the Year for Let God Sort ‘Em Out, Best Group, and Best Collaboration for “Chains & Whips” featuring Kendrick Lamar. Their album had previously received Grammy nominations but did not win in those categories.
Music Category Winners
The music categories featured fierce competition, with Cardi B leading all nominees with six nods. She won Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, marking her third victory in the category. Kendrick Lamar extended his record in Best Male Hip-Hop Artist, securing his ninth win in the category.
Kehlani won Best Female R&B/Pop Artist for the first time and also took home Video of the Year for “Folded”. She had previously won two Grammys in February for the same song. Leon Thomas won Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, beating past winners like Chris Brown, Usher, and Bruno Mars. He also won two Grammys earlier this year for his album Mutt.
Olivia Dean won Best New Artist, becoming the fifth artist to win both that category and the Grammy for Best New Artist, following Alicia Keys, John Legend, Sam Smith, and Chance the Rapper. Mariah the Scientist won the Viewers’ Choice Award for “Burning Blue,” while Doechii and SZA took home the BET Her award for “girl, get up.”
Film and Television Winners
Ryan Coogler’s film Sinners won Best Movie. The film received a record 16 Oscar nominations, though it lost Best Picture to One Battle After Another. Sinners marks Coogler’s third BET Award win for Best Movie, following both Black Panther films. Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for his role in Sinners, his fourth win in the category. Teyana Taylor also won Best Actress, adding to her collection of awards for the evening.
Jazzy’s World TV, the stage name of 16-year-old journalist Jazlyn Guerra, won the YoungStars Award. She gained recognition for her celebrity interviews, including a notable one with Jay-Z in 2021.
Sports and Special Honors
A’ja Wilson won Sportswoman of the Year for basketball, while Jalen Brunson won Sportsman of the Year, also for basketball.
The ceremony also honored three groundbreaking women with special awards. Ms. Lauryn Hill received the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award, and legendary music executive Sylvia Rhone was named the recipient of the Ultimate Icon Award. Host Druski also received the newly created Pulse Award for his impact in digital spaces.
Note on Nigerian nominees: Despite strong representation, Nigerian artists including Tems, Wizkid, Asake, and Burna Boy did not win in their respective categories. Tems performed during the ceremony but lost in all three categories she was nominated in.
Complete List of 2026 BET Awards Winners
Album of the Year
Let God Sort Em Out – Clipse
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Kehlani
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Leon Thomas
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi B
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Kendrick Lamar
Best Group
Clipse
Best Collaboration
“Chains & Whips” – Clipse & Kendrick Lamar
Best New Artist
Olivia Dean
Video of the Year
“Folded” – Kehlani
Video Director of the Year
Teyana “Spike-Tey” Taylor
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
“Headphones” – Lecrae, Killer Mike & T.I.
BET Her
“girl, get up.” – Doechii feat. SZA
Viewers’ Choice
“Burning Blue” – Mariah the Scientist
Best Movie
Sinners
Best Actress
Teyana Taylor
Best Actor
Michael B. Jordan
YoungStars Award
Jazzy’s World TV
Sportswoman of the Year
A’ja Wilson – Basketball
Sportsman of the Year
Jalen Brunson – Basketball
The Fashion Vanguard Award
Teyana Taylor
The Pulse Award
Druski
Icon of the Year
Teyana Taylor
Living Legend Icon Award
Ms. Lauryn Hill
Ultimate Icon Award
Sylvia Rhone
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The 2026 BET Awards delivered a night of celebration, honoring established legends and rising stars across entertainment. With new categories like the Fashion Vanguard and Pulse awards, the ceremony continues to evolve while recognizing excellence in Black culture.
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