Best and – The 2026 BET Awards mixed soaring performances and big honors with a cringe-worthy hosting bit—plus a ceremony that ran long. From Janet Jackson handing Teyana Taylor Icon of the Year to Queen Latifah and Common teaming up for a Lauryn Hill tribute, here are t
The 2026 BET Awards didn’t ease viewers in—it hit in full color from the moment the ceremony began on Sunday. June 28 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Music. film. and sports all collided during a night that pulled in major names like Janet Jackson. Queen Latifah. Lizzo. and T.I. with high-energy performances and trophy moments built for the spotlight.
The stakes felt obvious early. too: Druski was making his hosting debut. Cardi B led the field of impressive nominees. and a packed telecast lineup included performers such as Queen Latifah. Doechii. Raye. Common. and more. When the night delivered at its best, it felt like a celebration with real weight. When it didn’t, it was the kind of moment you couldn’t help but wince at.
Teyana Taylor’s Icon of the Year moment landed like a home-run. Fresh off her Golden Globes win, Taylor received the coveted trophy from Janet Jackson. “Oh my, God, bitch, I’m gagging!. They did not tell me Janet was coming. ” she started. before breaking down into gratitude for Jackson’s support: “Thank you so much. thank you. thank you. thank you for always seeing me. Thank you for text, every hug, every talk. You are my biggest inspiration.” She added that it felt “crazy” that Janet took the time to celebrate with her.
Taylor then tied the honor to the timeline of the Icon award itself—Janet had won the 2025 Icon of the Year honor. with Taylor earning the trophy the next year. In her acceptance speech. she quipped about the moment of having to say “Icon of the Year” out loud. then turned it into a vow of humility: “So I’m not accepting what I have earned with arrogance. I am accepting what I have earned with gratitude.” She also listed what she’s been building while sounding proud of the work—“the artist. actress. director. choreographer. creative director. stylist. designer. writer. producer and chef”—and noted. “I graduated [in] September. y’all.”.
If Taylor’s win was pure momentum, Druski’s hosting bit was the night’s clearest misstep. After the comedian descended from the rafters to a choir’s melody at the start of the show. he praised the guests in attendance by sharing the net worths of stars who weren’t there. including Tyler Perry and Stevie Wonder. during a “Collect and Praise” segment styled like a fake church sermon. The joke escalated into a detail that left viewers cringing: since Wonder is blind, “the entry was written in Braille.”.
Druski leaned into it with a comment aimed at Wonder’s blindness—“Shut up, he can’t see it”—and wrapped the moment in a punchline: “That check is sign, sealed, delivered. Amen.” The energy of the gag didn’t land with everyone, and it showed.
Not every spotlight moment was about comedy. One of the most moving tributes came when D’Angelo’s kids stepped up to honor the soul icon’s loss months after he died in October 2025. The three children introduced a tribute performance featuring Raye, Ari Lennox, and George Clinton’s involvement.
Imani began the remarks: “To the world. he was D’Angelo. to us he was just dad.” Morocco followed by calling D’Angelo their “biggest hype man and protector. ” and Swayvo added that D’Angelo “meant the whole world to us.” The tribute wasn’t just performed—it was personal. and the tears came even before the performance began.
That emotional momentum was matched by a tribute to Lauryn Hill that filled the telecast with unmistakable significance. The BET Awards delivered a lengthy—and described as well-deserved—tribute to Hill on Sunday. beginning with a star-studded musical medley that included Queen Latifah and Common joining forces. Hill later received the Living Legend Award, presented by Ice Cube.
During the segment. Hill told the audience: “I wasn’t supposed to perform. but then I heard someone wasn’t doing their set. ” before starting an impromptu performance. In her acceptance speech. she said. “I do this because I love y’all. ” and described her intention to share what she’s experienced with others. She credited her “wonderful parents who loved on me. poured onto me and protected me. ” and explained that once she realized not everyone gets that kind of experience. she felt “my duty. my responsibility to share as much love and to pour into as much people as I possibly could.” She added. “Music was a way for me to do that. ” while stressing that she’s always cared about “the expression and the representation of our people.”.
Hill also brought family into the moment, celebrating while she spoke—she noted she’s “a mother first” and referenced her son’s birthday and her daughter’s high school graduation during her remarks, ending with “I love my people.”
Musically, Raye also made a statement that readers will remember. Known for her hit “Where the Hell Is My Husband?,” she stepped onto the BET stage for the first time on Sunday, wearing a sleek black gown. She belted “Nightangale Lane,” stunning viewers with her vocals.
But not everything about the night felt perfectly paced. Even with the incredible performances and well-deserved trophies. the ceremony ran past its scheduled end date. with less time devoted to presenting awards than viewers likely expected. For all the highlights, that extended length became the clearest “worst” of the evening.
And that’s the split-screen feeling of the 2026 BET Awards: big emotions and major honors—Janet Jackson, Lauryn Hill, and D’Angelo’s family-led tribute—set against moments that undercut the vibe, from Druski’s net worth jokes to a ceremony that stretched too far.
2026 BET Awards Peacock Theater Los Angeles Druski Cardi B Janet Jackson Teyana Taylor Lauryn Hill Living Legend Award Queen Latifah Common Raye D’Angelo D’Angelo’s kids Ari Lennox George Clinton
Druski really came out and ruined the whole vibe huh
I swear it says the show ran long but I didn’t even make it through the first bit. The Lauryn Hill tribute was probably the best part though, like they always do that stuff better when they stop talking.
Not gonna lie Druski’s net worth joke was like… what are we doing. Also I saw something that Janet Jackson was there and I thought that meant Janet was gonna win something but nope just giving awards. Idk I’m confused on the whole order of events.
Teyana Taylor getting Icon of the Year made me happy, like that was legit. But the article says hosting debut and cringe-worthy, so I’m assuming he bombed the whole time? BET always overdoes it though, then they start dragging it out and people check out.