The BET Awards are returning to their traditional late-June slot in 2026, and this year’s nominations reflect a moment where rap, R&B, film, sports, and internet culture are colliding faster than ever. Set for Sunday, June 28 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, the ceremony will be hosted by Druski, who becomes the youngest host in the show’s history.
Cardi B leads the field with six nominations, followed closely by Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist with five each. Doechii, Doja Cat, Clipse, Teyana Taylor, Olivia Dean, and Latto all secured four nods.
For Cardi, the dominant showing arrives during one of the most commercially explosive eras of her career. Her album Am I The Drama? earned an Album of the Year nomination, while “Outside” landed in the Viewers’ Choice category and “Errtime Remix” picked up a Best Collaboration nod. Kendrick Lamar continues his streak as an awards-season fixture thanks to “luther” with SZA and the Clipse collaboration “Chains & Whips,” both of which appear in multiple categories.
The 2026 ceremony also introduces two new categories: The Fashion Vanguard Award and The Pulse Award. Fashion Vanguard nominees include Beyoncé, Rihanna, Zendaya, Bad Bunny, Cardi B, and Doechii, while The Pulse Award expands BET’s reach into podcasting and digital media.
Below is the full list of nominees for the 2026 BET Awards.
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
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 Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi B
Coi Leray
Doechii
Doja Cat
GloRilla
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Monaleo
YK Niece
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
A$AP Rocky
Baby Keem
BigXthaPlug
DaBaby
Don Toliver
Drake
J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar
T.I.
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 New Artist
Belly Gang Kushington
Destin Conrad
JayDon
kwn
Miles Minnick
Monaleo
Olivia Dean
RAYE
Trap Dickey
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.
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
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
The Fashion Vanguard Award
A$AP Rocky
Bad Bunny
Beyoncé
Cardi B
Colman Domingo
Doechii
Rihanna
Teyana Taylor
Zendaya
The Pulse Award
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 Movie
Highest 2 Lowest
Him
Number One on the Call Sheet
One Battle After Another
Relationship Goals
Ruth & Boaz
Sinners
Wicked: For Good
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
Sportswoman of the Year Award
A’ja Wilson
Angel Reese
Claressa Shields
Coco Gauff
Flau’jae Johnson
Gabby Thomas
Jordan Chiles
Naomi Osaka
Sha’Carri Richardson
Sportsman of the Year Award
Aaron Judge
Anthony Edwards
Caleb Williams
Jalen Brunson
Jalen Hurts
LeBron James
Shedeur Sanders
Stephen Curry
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