Cardi B tops the early BET Awards 2026 performer lineup with “AM I THE DRAMA?” as the early winners list begins to take shape. The 2026 ceremony is set for Sunday, June 28 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, hosted by Druski, and it airs live at 8 p.m. ET o
When BET started rolling out its first wave of performers for the 2026 awards. the momentum felt immediate—and the stakes were clear. The 2026 BET Awards are scheduled for Sunday. June 28 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. with comedian Druski at the helm. BET also said the show will air live at 8 p.m. ET on June 28 on BET, CMT, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount, VH1 and Comedy Central.
The early nominations set the tone for the night’s biggest drama: Cardi B leads the field as the only female rapper whose first two albums debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. She’s followed closely by Kendrick Lamar (5), Doechii (4) and Doja Cat (4). BET is calling the event “Culture’s Biggest Night. ” recognizing Black excellence in music as well as movies. TV and sports. Among the screen and sports names highlighted for this year’s awards are Michael B. Jordan, Teyana Taylor, Keke Palmer, Denzel Washington, Sha’Carri Richardson and LeBron James.
Druski, tapped to host the ceremony, is the youngest person to do so at age 31. That youthful energy sits next to a lineup that spans from music’s headline acts to athletes whose careers have kept them in the spotlight far beyond the arena.
The first winners list BET shared covers categories across the broadcast, starting with Album of the year. Cardi B’s “AM I THE DRAMA?” is listed alongside Tyler. the Creator’s “DON’T TAP THE GLASS. ” Wale’s “everything is a lot.”. Mariah the Scientist’s “HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY. ” Clipse’s “Let God Sort Em Out” and several others. including Leon Thomas’ “MUTT Deluxe: HEEL. ” J. Cole’s “The Fall-Off” and Bruno Mars’ “The Romantic.”.
In Best female R&B/pop artist. the field includes Ari Lennox. Coco Jones. Ella Mai. Jill Scott. Kehlani. Mariah the Scientist. Olivia Dean and SZATem. Best male R&B/pop artist features Brent Faiyaz. Bruno Mars. Bryson Tiller. Chris Brown. Durand Bernarr. GIVĒON. Leon Thomas. October London and Usher.
Best female hip hop artist brings Cardi B back into the spotlight alongside Coi Leray, Doechii, Doja Cat, GloRilla, Latto, Megan Thee Stallion, Monaleo and YK Niece. Best male hip hop artist includes A$AP Rocky, Baby Keem, BigXthaPlug, DaBaby, Don Toliver, Drake, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar and T.I.
For group honors. Best group lists 41Clipse. De La Soul. FLO. French Montana & Max B. Metro Boomin & DJ Spinz. Nas & DJ Premier. Terrace Martin & Kenyon Dixon. Wizkid & Asake. The Best collaboration category pairs songs and stars: “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; and “wgft” — Gunna feat. Burna Boy.
New talent has its own set of names in Best new artist, including Belly Gang Kushington, DESTIN CONRAD, JayDonkwn, Miles Minnick, Monaleo, Olivia Dean, RAYE, Trap Dickey and Dr. Bobby Jones.
BET’s gospel and inspirational slate spans several entries under a category labeled “Dr. Bobby Jones best gospel/inspirational award.” The listed songs include “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; and “Headphones” — Lecrae. Killer Mike & T.I.
The list also shows BET Her entries with “Already Good (Tasha Slide)” — Tasha Cobbs Leonard and “Be Great” — Jill Scott feat. Trombone Shorty, plus “Beautiful People” — Jill Scott, “First” — Tems, “girl, get up.” — Doechii feat. SZA, “Go Girl” — Summer Walker feat. Latto & Doja Cat, “Gorgeous” — Doja Cat and “Lady Lady” — Olivia Dean.
Viewers’ choice rounds out the early winners list with tracks including “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; and “Take Me Thru Dere” — Metro Boomin feat. Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece & DJ Spinz.
Video of the year is listed with “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.; and “luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA.
The early list also names Video director of the year contenders: A$AP Rocky & Dan Streit, Anderson .Paak, Benny Boom, Cactus Jack, Cardi B & Patientce Foster, Cole Bennett, Director X, Hype Williams, and Teyana “Spike-Tey” Taylor.
Fashion arrives as its own category with the fashion vanguard award listing A$AP Rocky, Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Cardi B, Colman Domingo, Doechii, Rihanna, Teyana Taylor and Zendaya.
BET’s pulse award is filled with performances and personalities including 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 and R&B Money Podcast.
In film. Best movie lists “Highest 2 Lowest. ” “Him. ” “Number One on the Call Sheet. ” “One Battle After Another. ” “Relationship Goals. ” “Ruth & Boaz. ” “Sinners” and “Wicked: For Good.” Acting categories go wide: Best actress includes Angela Bassett. Ayo Edebiri. Chase Infiniti. Coco Jones. Cynthia Erivo. Keke Palmer. Quinta Brunson. Regina Hall. and Teyana Taylor. Best actor lists Aaron Pierre, Aldis Hodge, Anthony Mackie, Colman Domingo, Damson Idris, Delroy Lindo, Denzel Washington, Michael B. Jordan, Sterling K. Brown and Young Stars award nominees Daria Johns. Graceyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth. Heiress Harris. Jazzy’s World TV. Lela Hoffmeister. North West. Thaddeus J. Mixson and VanVan.
Sports and entertainment blend under awards for athletes and performers. Sportswoman of the year includes 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 includes Aaron Judge — baseball. Anthony Edwards — basketball. Caleb Williams — football. Jalen Brunson — basketball. Jalen Hurts — football. LeBron James — basketball. Shedeur Sanders — football and Stephen Curry — basketball.
The story emerging from BET’s early rollout is simple: the show is shaping up as a collision of chart-topping ambition and cross-industry star power, with Cardi B’s early dominance sitting beside the way BET plans to spotlight movies, TV and sports in the same spotlight.
BET Awards 2026 Cardi B Druski Kendrick Lamar Doechii Doja Cat Peacock Theater Los Angeles live broadcast 8 p.m. ET Michael B. Jordan LeBron James