The 2026 BET Awards land June 28 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, hosted by Druski. Tune in on BET and multiple MTV/Paramount-branded channels, or stream live on Paramount+. Lauryn Hill receives the Living Legend Icon Award and Teyan
Sunday night is already looking like the kind of BET Awards crowd comes alive for—because the 2026 ceremony isn’t just another date circled on the calendar. It’s set to be a big moment in the event’s 25-year history, with major stars scheduled to perform and present.
The show takes over the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on June 28 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST. And if you’re planning to watch from home. you’ve got plenty of options: the ceremony airs on BET and is simulcast on MTV. MTV2. Logo. the Paramount Network. and Pop TV. It’s also streamed live on Paramount+, with replay options available on the platform if you miss it.
This year’s host is Druski, the 31-year-old comedian and influencer. He’s also no stranger to viral conversations—earlier this year. he impersonated Erika Kirk in a viral sketch that was seen by millions and talked about by a lot of media outlets. When Druski takes the stage Sunday night, he’ll also make history as the ceremony’s youngest host ever.
The awards slate will spotlight trailblazers across movie, music, and media. Lauryn Hill is set to receive the Living Legend Icon Award. while Oscar-nominated actress Teyana Taylor will accept the award for Icon of the Year. The night also includes a musical tribute to ’90s R&B legend D’Angelo, who passed away last year.
Presenters are scheduled to include Carl Anthony Payne II, Chlöe Bailey, Chris “Comedian CP” Powell, Deon Cole, DeRay Davis, Diarra Kilpatrick, Gail Bean, Isaiah John, Jaafar Jackson, Jacob Latimore, Keke Palmer, Kelly Rowland, Latto, Luke James, and Nia Long.
Performances stretch across multiple moments. There’s a scheduled tribute to Lauryn Hill featuring Alexia Jayy. Common. Doe chii. Doja Cat. Lizzo. NasQueen Latifah. Rapsody. Sela h Tierra Whack. The War and Treaty. Zion Marley. YG Marley. and more. In the D’Angelo tribute segment. performers include Ari Lennox. BJ the Chicago Kid. Durand Bernarr. George Clinton. and RAYE—joined by D’Angelo’s children. Other scheduled performers include Cardi B, T.I., Tems, Erica Campbell, and Le’Andria Johnson.
The show is also packed with nominations across categories that blend mainstream hits with standout performances. Album of the Year nominees include 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; Let God Sort Em Out by Clipse; MUTT Deluxe: HEEL by Leon Thomas; The Fall-Off by J. Cole; and The Romantic by Bruno Mars.
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist nominees are Ari Lennox. Coco Jones. Ella Mai. Jill Scott. Kehlani. Mariah the Scientist. Olivia Dean. SZA. and Tems. Best Male R&B/Pop Artist nominees include Brent Faiyaz. Bruno Mars. Bryson Tiller. Chris Brown. Durand Bernarr. GIVĒON. Leon Thomas. October London. and Usher.
Hip-hop and groups move just as intensely. Best Female Hip Hop Artist nominees are Cardi B. Coi Leray. Doechii. Doja Cat. GloRilla. Latto. Megan Thee Stallion. Monaleo. and YK Niece. Best Male Hip Hop Artist nominees include A$AP Rocky, Baby Keem, BigXthaPlug, DaBaby, Don Toliver, Drake, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and T.I.
The list for Best Group spans 41, Clipse, De La Soul, FLO, French Montana & Max B, Metro Boomin & DJ Spinz, Nas & DJ Premier, Terrace Martin & Kenyon Dixon, Wizkid & Asake, and Asake.
Collaborations are stacked. too. with Best Collaboration nominees featuring “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.
Best New Artist nominees include Belly Gang Kushington, DESTIN CONRAD, JayDon, kwn, Miles Minnick, Monaleo, Olivia Dean, RAYE, Trap Dickey, and Dr. Bobby Jones.
Gospel/Inspirational nominees stretch from “Able” — Kirk Franklin to “Church” — Tasha Cobbs Leonard & John Legend, alongside entries like “Already Good (Tasha Slide)” — Tasha Cobbs Leonard, “Headphones” — Lecrae, Killer Mike & T.I., and “Do It Again” — Kirk Franklin.
For BET Her, the nominees listed are “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, and “Gorgeous” — Doja Cat, plus “Lady Lady” — Olivia Dean.
Viewers’ Choice nominees include “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 nominees include “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.
Video Director of the Year nominees include 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.
Two new awards categories are also in the mix: The Fashion Vanguard Award (New) nominees are A$AP Rocky. Bad Bunny. Beyoncé. Cardi B. Colman Domingo. Doechii. Rihanna. Teyana Taylor. and Zendaya. The Pulse Award (New) nominees include 85 South Show. Baby. This Is Keke Palmer. Charlamagne Tha God. Don Lemon. Druski. It Is What It Is. Joe and Jada. and On the Radar. plus R&B Money Podcast.
Best Movie nominees include Highest 2 Lowest, Him, Number One on the Call Sheet, One Battle After Another, Relationship Goals, Ruth & Boaz, and Sinners, plus Wicked: For Good.
Best Actress nominees include Angela Bassett. Ayo Edebiri. Chase Infiniti. Coco Jones. Cynthia Erivo. Keke Palmer. Quinta Brunson. Regina Hall. and Teyana Taylor. Best Actor nominees include Aaron Pierre, Aldis Hodge, Anthony Mackie, Colman Domingo, Damson Idris, Delroy Lindo, Denzel Washington, Michael B. Jordan, Sterling K. Brown. and a YoungStars Award list featuring Daria Johns. Graceyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth. Heiress Harris. Jazzy’s World TV. Lela Hoffmeister. North West. Thaddeus J. Mixson, and VanVan.
Sports categories round out the list with Sportswoman of the Year nominees including 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. and Sha’Carri Richardson — Track & Field. Sportsman of the Year nominees include 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.
All of it sets up a ceremony built on momentum: Druski steps in as host and the youngest-ever host for the event. while the night’s biggest spotlight moments are anchored by Lauryn Hill’s Living Legend Icon Award. Teyana Taylor’s Icon of the Year. and a D’Angelo tribute that brings the music back into the center of the stage.
The 2026 BET Awards are scheduled for June 28 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, airing on BET with simulcasts across MTV, MTV2, Logo, the Paramount Network, and Pop TV, and streaming live on Paramount+—with the option to watch anytime afterward on the platform.
2026 BET Awards Druski host Peacock Theatre Lauryn Hill Living Legend Icon Award Teyana Taylor Icon of the Year D'Angelo tribute Paramount+ BET