The 2026 BET Awards celebrated another unforgettable year in Black music, film, television, and culture, with some of the industry’s biggest names walking away with top honors during Sunday night’s ceremony.
Held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 28 and hosted by comedian Druski, this year’s show recognized both established icons and rising stars, delivering a night filled with emotional acceptance speeches, career-defining milestones, and well-deserved wins across music, film, and entertainment.
Leading the night’s competitive categories were Teyana Taylor and hip-hop duo Clipse, who each earned three awards. Close behind were Kendrick Lamar and Kehlani, who added two trophies apiece to their already impressive résumés.
For Taylor, the evening marked one of the biggest moments of her career.
Already enjoying an incredible year across both music and film, the multi-hyphenate star collected three competitive awards: Best Actress, Video Director of the Year, and the Fashion Vanguard Award. She also received one of the ceremony’s highest honors when she was presented with the Icon of the Year Award by music legend Janet Jackson.
Clipse also enjoyed a standout evening.
The acclaimed rap duo claimed Album of the Year for Let God Sort ’Em Out, while also winning Best Group and Best Collaboration for “Chains & Whips,” their acclaimed partnership with Kendrick Lamar.
The victories marked an especially satisfying moment after Let God Sort ’Em Out received Grammy nominations for Album of the Year and Best Rap Album earlier this year but ultimately went home empty-handed.
Kendrick Lamar continued adding to his legendary BET Awards legacy. The rapper won Best Male Hip-Hop Artist for a record-breaking ninth time, extending his dominance in one of the ceremony’s most competitive categories. His nine victories now comfortably outpace every other previous winner. Drake remains second with four wins, while Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, has collected three.
Kehlani also celebrated a career milestone. The singer earned her first-ever BET Award for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, ending SZA’s three-year winning streak in the category. She also took home Video of the Year for “Folded,” adding another major achievement to an already memorable year. Earlier this year, Kehlani won two Grammy Awards for “Folded,” including Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance, making the BET Awards another significant stop in her recent run of success.
Another artist continuing an impressive ascent was Olivia Dean. Fresh off winning Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards, Dean repeated that success at the BET Awards, becoming just the fifth artist ever to claim Best New Artist at both ceremonies. She joins an exclusive list that includes Alicia Keys, John Legend, Sam Smith, and Chance the Rapper.
Elsewhere, Cardi B returned to the winner’s circle by taking home Best Female Hip-Hop Artist. It marks her third career victory in the category and her first since earning consecutive wins in 2018 and 2019.
Leon Thomas also scored one of the night’s biggest victories. The singer-songwriter claimed Best Male R&B/Pop Artist for the first time, beating an exceptionally competitive field that included previous winners Chris Brown, Usher, and Bruno Mars. Thomas has enjoyed tremendous momentum throughout 2026 after winning two Grammy Awards earlier this year for Mutt and the song “Vibes Don’t Lie.”
Film was also well represented throughout the evening.
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners was named Best Movie, continuing the director’s impressive track record at the BET Awards. The victory marks Coogler’s third Best Movie win following Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, making him the most successful filmmaker in the history of the category.
Meanwhile, Michael B. Jordan added another accolade to his decorated career by winning Best Actor for his acclaimed performance in Sinners. The victory marks his fourth BET Award in the category, placing him just one win behind all-time leader Denzel Washington.
Beyond the competitive races, the ceremony also paid tribute to several groundbreaking women whose influence has shaped the entertainment industry.
Alongside Taylor’s Icon of the Year recognition, Ms. Lauryn Hill received the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award, celebrating her enduring impact on music and culture. Legendary music executive Sylvia Rhone was also honored with the Ultimate Icon Award for her decades of leadership and contributions behind the scenes.
One of the night’s most inspiring moments came when Jazzy’s World TV received the Rising Star Award.
The 16-year-old journalist, whose real name is Jazlyn Guerra, first gained widespread attention after interviewing Jay-Z in 2021. Since then, she’s built an impressive platform through her candid celebrity interviews, becoming one of entertainment’s fastest-rising young media personalities. She now joins previous recipients including Keke Palmer, Jaden and Willow Smith, and Blue Ivy Carter.
The Fashion Vanguard Award (NEW)
A$AP Rocky
Bad Bunny
Beyoncé
Cardi B
Colman Domingo
Doechii
Rihanna
Teyana Taylor
Zendaya
The Pulse Award (NEW)
85 South Show
Baby, This Is Keke Palmer
Charlamagne Tha God
Don Lemon
Druski
It Is What It Is
Joe and Jada
On the Radar
R&B Money Podcast
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Ari Lennox
Coco Jones
Ella Mai
Jill Scott
Kehlani
Mariah the Scientist
Olivia Dean
SZA
Tems
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Brent Faiyaz
Bruno Mars
Bryson Tiller
Chris Brown
Durand Bernarr
GIVĒON
Leon Thomas
October London
Usher
Best Group
41
Clipse
De La Soul
FLO
French Montana & Max B
Metro Boomin & DJ Spinz
Nas & DJ Premier
Terrace Martin & Kenyon Dixon
Wizkid & Asake
Best Collaboration
“Chains & Whips” — Clipse & Kendrick Lamar
“Errtime Remix” — Cardi B feat. Jeezy & Latto
“Go Girl” — Summer Walker feat. Latto & Doja Cat
“Good Flirts” — Baby Keem feat. Kendrick Lamar & Momo Boyd
“Is It a Crime” — Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis
“It Depends (The Remix)” — Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller & Usher
“Take Me Thru Dere” — Metro Boomin feat. Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece & DJ Spinz
“wgft” — Gunna feat. Burna Boy
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
A$AP Rocky
Baby Keem
BigXthaPlug
DaBaby
Don Toliver
Drake
J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar
T.I.
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi B
Coi Leray
Doechii
Doja Cat
GloRilla
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Monaleo
YK Niece
Video of the Year
“100” — Ella Mai
“Anxiety” — Doechii
“Burning Blue” — Mariah the Scientist
“Chanel” — Tyla
“Escape Room (Short Film)” — Teyana Taylor
“Folded” — Kehlani
“LET ‘EM KNOW” — T.I.
“luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA
Video Director of the Year
A$AP Rocky & Dan Streit
Anderson .Paak
Benny Boom
Cactus Jack
Cardi B & Patientce Foster
Cole Bennett
Director X
Hype Williams
Teyana “Spike-Tey” Taylor
Best New Artist
Belly Gang Kushington
DESTIN CONRAD
JayDon
kwn
Miles Minnick
Monaleo
Olivia Dean
RAYE
Trap Dickey
Album of the Year
Am I the Drama? — Cardi B
Don’t Tap the Glass — Tyler, the Creator
Everything Is A Lot. — Wale
Hearts Sold Separately — Mariah the Scientist
Let God Sort Em Out — Clipse
MUTT Deluxe: Heel — Leon Thomas
The Fall-Off — J. Cole
The Romantic — Bruno Mars
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
“Able” — Kirk Franklin
“ABLE (REMIX)” — Darrel Walls, PJ Morton & Kim Burrell
“All to Thee” — BeBe Winans
“Already Good (Tasha Slide)” — Tasha Cobbs Leonard
“At the Cross” — CeCe Winans
“Church” — Tasha Cobbs Leonard & John Legend
“Do It Again” — Kirk Franklin
“Headphones” — Lecrae, Killer Mike & T.I.
Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Ayo Edebiri
Chase Infiniti
Coco Jones
Cynthia Erivo
Keke Palmer
Quinta Brunson
Regina Hall
Teyana Taylor
Best Actor
Aaron Pierre
Aldis Hodge
Anthony Mackie
Colman Domingo
Damson Idris
Delroy Lindo
Denzel Washington
Michael B. Jordan
Sterling K. Brown
YoungStars Award
Daria Johns
Graceyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth
Heiress Harris
Jazzy’s World TV
Lela Hoffmeister
North West
Thaddeus J. Mixson
VanVan
Best Movie
Highest 2 Lowest
Him
Number One on the Call Sheet
One Battle After Another
Relationship Goals
Ruth & Boaz
Sinners
Wicked: For Good
Sportswoman of the Year Award
A’ja Wilson — Basketball
Angel Reese — Basketball
Claressa Shields — Boxing
Coco Gauff — Tennis
Flau’jae Johnson — Basketball
Gabby Thomas — Track & Field
Jordan Chiles — Gymnastics
Naomi Osaka — Tennis
Sha’Carri Richardson — Track & Field
Sportsman of the Year Award
Aaron Judge — Baseball
Anthony Edwards — Basketball
Caleb Williams — Football
Jalen Brunson — Basketball
Jalen Hurts — Football
LeBron James — Basketball
Shedeur Sanders — Football
Stephen Curry — Basketball
BET Her
“Already Good (Tasha Slide)” — Tasha Cobbs Leonard
“Be Great” — Jill Scott feat. Trombone Shorty
“Beautiful People” — Jill Scott
“First” — Tems
“girl, get up.” — Doechii feat. SZA
“Go Girl” — Summer Walker feat. Latto & Doja Cat
“Gorgeous” — Doja Cat
“Lady Lady” — Olivia Dean
Viewers’ Choice
“Burning Blue” — Mariah the Scientist
“Chains & Whips” — Clipse feat. Kendrick Lamar
“Chanel” — Tyla
“Folded” — Kehlani
“I Just Might” — Bruno Mars
“It Depends” — Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller
“Man I Need” — Olivia Dean
“Outside” — Cardi B
“Raindance” — Dave & Tems
“Take Me Thru Dere” — Metro Boomin feat. Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece & DJ Spinz
