Photo credit: Associated Press
The 2026 BET Awards took place Sunday, June 28, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with comedian Druski hosting a star-studded evening that celebrated Black excellence across music, film, television and sports. When the night was over, Teyana Taylor and Clipse had emerged as the evening’s dominant forces, each claiming 3 competitive awards. Meanwhile, Kendrick Lamar and Kehlani followed as runners-up with 2 wins apiece.
Honorary awards highlight a night of legends
In addition to her competitive wins, Taylor received further recognition when she was honored with the Icon of the Year award, presented to her by Janet Jackson. The honor capped a remarkable year for the artist, who won a Golden Globe and received an Oscar nomination for her role in One Battle After Another. Furthermore, Ms. Lauryn Hill received the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award, while legendary music executive Sylvia Rhone was named the recipient of the Ultimate Icon Award.
With that context in mind, here is the complete winners list from the 2026 BET Awards.
Music categories: albums, artists and groups
Album of the year
Winner: Let God Sort Em Out by Clipse
Other nominees were AM I THE DRAMA? by Cardi B, Don’t Tap the Glass by Tyler, the Creator, everything is a lot. by Wale, Hearts Sold Separately by Mariah the Scientist, MUTT Deluxe: HEEL by Leon Thomas, The Fall-Off by J. Cole and The Romantic by Bruno Mars.
Best female R&B/pop artist
Winner: Kehlani
It is her first win in the category. Notably, she defeated SZA, who had claimed the award for three consecutive years. Other nominees included Ari Lennox, Coco Jones, Ella Mai, Jill Scott, Mariah the Scientist, Olivia Dean and Tems.
Best male R&B/pop artist
Winner: Leon Thomas
Thomas claimed his first win in the category, thereby beating Chris Brown, who holds the record with eight wins, Usher with five and Bruno Mars with three. Other nominees included Brent Faiyaz, Bryson Tiller, Durand Bernarr, GIVĒON and October London.
Best female hip hop artist
Winner: Cardi B
It is her third win in the category and, moreover, her first since back-to-back wins in 2018 and 2019. Other nominees included Coi Leray, Doechii, Doja Cat, GloRilla, Latto, Megan Thee Stallion, Monaleo and YK Niece.
Best male hip hop artist
Winner: Kendrick Lamar
It is a record ninth win for Lamar in the category, more than the next two most frequent winners combined. Other nominees included A$AP Rocky, Baby Keem, BigXthaPlug, DaBaby, Don Toliver, Drake, J. Cole and T.I.
Best group
Winner: Clipse
Other nominees included 41, De La Soul, FLO, French Montana and Max B, Metro Boomin and DJ Spinz, Nas and DJ Premier, Terrace Martin and Kenyon Dixon, and Wizkid and Asake.
Music categories: collaborations, new artists and video
Best collaboration
Winner: Chains and Whips by Clipse and Kendrick Lamar
Other nominees included Errtime Remix by Cardi B featuring Jeezy and Latto, Go Girl by Summer Walker featuring Latto and Doja Cat, Good Flirts by Baby Keem featuring Kendrick Lamar and Momo Boyd, Is It a Crime by Mariah the Scientist and Kali Uchis, It Depends (The Remix) by Chris Brown featuring Bryson Tiller and Usher, Take Me Thru Dere by Metro Boomin featuring Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece and DJ Spinz, and wgft by Gunna featuring Burna Boy.
Best new artist
Winner: Olivia Dean
As a result of this win, Dean becomes the fifth artist to win best new artist at both the BET Awards and the Grammy Awards, joining Alicia Keys, John Legend, Sam Smith and Chance the Rapper. Other nominees included Belly Gang Kushington, Destin Conrad, JayDon, kwn, Miles Minnick, Monaleo, RAYE and Trap Dickey.
Dr. Bobby Jones best gospel/inspirational award
Winner: Headphones by Lecrae, Killer Mike and T.I.
BET Her
Winner: girl, get up. by Doechii featuring SZA
Viewers’ choice
Winner: Burning Blue by Mariah the Scientist
Video of the year
Winner: Folded by Kehlani
Video director of the year
Winner: Teyana “Spike-Tey” Taylor
General categories
The fashion vanguard award
Winner: Teyana Taylor
The pulse award
Winner: Druski
Film and TV categories
Best movie
Winner: Sinners
It is the third Ryan Coogler film to win best movie at the BET Awards, following Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Notably, no other director has had more than two best movie winners at the awards.
Best actress
Winner: Teyana Taylor
Best actor
Winner: Michael B. Jordan
It is his fourth win in the category, placing him just one award behind category leader Denzel Washington. Additionally, Jordan won the Oscar for best lead actor for Sinners earlier this year.
YoungStars award
Winner: Jazzy’s World TV
The award goes to Jazlyn Guerra, 16, a fast-rising celebrity journalist who first gained national recognition for her interview with Jay-Z in 2021.
Sports categories
Sportswoman of the year
Winner: A’ja Wilson, basketball
Other nominees included Angel Reese, Claressa Shields, Coco Gauff, Flau’jae Johnson, Gabby Thomas, Jordan Chiles, Naomi Osaka and Sha’Carri Richardson.
Sportsman of the year
Winner: Jalen Brunson, basketball
Other nominees included Aaron Judge, Anthony Edwards, Caleb Williams, Jalen Hurts, LeBron James, Shedeur Sanders and Stephen Curry.
Most nominations without a win
Despite strong showings throughout the night, Doja Cat and Latto each received 4 nominations without a win. Similarly, A$AP Rocky, Bruno Mars, Bryson Tiller, Chris Brown, Jill Scott, Metro Boomin, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Tems and YK Niece each received 3 nominations without ultimately taking home an award.
Source: Billboard
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