The 2026 BET Awards delivered a night of milestone wins, emotional speeches and standout performances as music, film and culture’s biggest names gathered at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater on Sunday (June 28).
Hosted by Druski, this year’s ceremony celebrated excellence across entertainment while honoring trailblazers whose influence continues to shape the industry.
Teyana Taylor emerged as one of the evening’s biggest winners, taking home the Icon of the Year Award alongside winning other titles. Accepting the night’s highest honor, Taylor reflected on the importance of lifting others up rather than competing against them.
“There’s room for all of us to win,” she said, adding that true greatness is measured by “how many people stand beside you because you’re willing to reach back.” Music executive Sylvia Rhone received the Ultimate Icon Award, while Ms. Lauryn Hill was presented with the Living Legend Icon Award.
Rhone also used her acceptance speech to urge the industry to protect creativity in the age of artificial intelligence, reminding audiences that “we make the algorithm, the algorithm doesn’t make us.”
Beyond the honorary awards, several familiar names added to their trophy collections. Kendrick Lamar claimed Best Male Hip Hop Artist for a record ninth time and earned another win during the night, while Michael B. Jordan took Best Actor following his acclaimed awards season.
Olivia Dean continued her breakthrough year by winning Best New Artist, and Sinners was named Best Movie. Kehlani’s “Folded” pulled off one of the night’s biggest upsets by winning Video of the Year over several heavily favored contenders, while Mariah the Scientist’s “Burning Blue” secured the Viewers’ Choice Award.
The ceremony also featured performances from Cardi B, Common, Doechii, Don Toliver, Kehlani, Queen Latifah, Rick Ross, Tems, T.I., The War and Treaty, Nas, RAYE, Ari Lennox, Baby Keem and more, making for a star-studded celebration of Black music and culture.
While Clipse’s Let God Sort ‘Em Out claimed Album of the Year and Leon Thomas earned his first BET Award for Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, the night also brought a few surprises, with several heavily nominated artists, including Doja Cat, Latto and Bruno Mars, leaving without a win.
Here’s the full list of winners from the 2026 BET Awards.
Best Male R&B / Pop Artist: Leon Thomas
Best Female R&B / Pop Artist: Kehlani
BET Her Award: “Girl, Get Up,” Doechii and SZA
Album of the Year: Let God Sort Them Out, Clipse
Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Cardi B
Fashion Vanguard: Teyana Taylor
Pulse Award: Druski
Video Director of the Year: Teyana Taylor
Best Actress: Teyana Taylor
Sportswoman of the Year: A’ja Wilson
Sportsman of the Year: Jalen Brunson
Which win or surprise stood out to you the most at the 2026 BET Awards? Share your thoughts with us on Instagram and X, and visit Lyrical Muse for more pop culture updates.
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