Female rap superstar Cardi B has stormed the competition, leading the pack with an impressive six nominations for the highly anticipated 2026 BET Awards. The announcement, made on Tuesday, May 19, sets the stage for "Culture's Biggest Week," a vibrant celebration of Black excellence across music, entertainment, sports, and culture.
The Bronx native's dominant showing includes coveted nods for Album of the Year for her acclaimed sophomore project Am I The Drama?, Best Female Hip Hop Artist, and Best Collaboration for "Errtime Remix" featuring Jeezy and Latto. She also earned nominations for Video Director of the Year alongside Patientce Foster and the Viewer’s Choice Award, showcasing her multifaceted artistry.
Cardi B's consistent success at the BET Awards is well-documented, with six career wins to her name. These include back-to-back Best Female Hip Hop Artist triumphs in 2018 and 2019, Album of the Year for her multiplatinum debut Invasion of Privacy, and Video of the Year for "WAP" with Megan Thee Stallion in 2021. Her continued presence at the forefront of the nominations underscores her enduring impact on hip-hop culture.
Other Major Contenders and Rising Stars
Following closely behind Cardi B are powerhouses Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist, each securing five nominations. Doechii, Doja Cat, the legendary duo Clipse, Teyana Taylor, Olivia Dean, and Latto each garnered four significant nods, cementing their status as influential figures.
The nominations further highlight a diverse talent pool, with artists like A$AP Rocky, Bruno Mars, Bryson Tiller, Chris Brown, Jill Scott, Kehlani, Metro Boomin, and SZA each earning three nominations. This broad representation reflects the vibrant and evolving landscape of Black artistry.
BETX and Culture's Biggest Week
The 2026 BET Awards ceremony is slated for June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, airing live at 8 PM ET/PT on BET. Leading up to the main event, the BET Experience 2026 (BETX) will immerse fans in three days of live events and experiences from June 25-27, truly living up to its brand as "Culture's Biggest Week."
A New Era for BET Awards: Expanding Influence Beyond Music
This year's ceremony marks a significant evolution for the BET Awards with the introduction of two groundbreaking new categories. The inaugural Fashion Vanguard Award recognizes influence beyond traditional entertainment spaces, nominating style icons such as A$AP Rocky, Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Cardi B, Rihanna, and Zendaya. This move acknowledges the undeniable impact artists have on global fashion trends and cultural aesthetics, cementing their status as true multi-hyphenates.
Simultaneously, the newly launched Pulse Award celebrates impactful voices in media and podcasting. Nominees like Charlamagne Tha God, Don Lemon, and Keke Palmer's "Baby, This Is Keke Palmer" podcast signify BET's strategic expansion into digital media, recognizing the critical role these platforms play in shaping narratives and fostering community within Black culture. These additions reflect a forward-thinking approach, validating diverse forms of Black excellence.
Connie Orlando, EVP of Specials, Music Programming and Music Strategy at BET, emphasized this expansion in a statement: "All of our nominees represent the very best of Black culture across music, film, sports, and beyond, and with the introduction of the Fashion Vanguard Award and the Pulse Award, we’re proud to honor even more of the ways our culture continues to show up and evolve.” This sentiment highlights BET's commitment to recognizing the multifaceted nature of contemporary Black influence.
Full List of 2026 BET Awards Categories and Nominees
The Fashion Vanguard Award (NEW)
- A$AP Rocky
- Bad Bunny
- Beyoncé
- Cardi B
- Colman Domingo
- Doechii
- Rihanna
- Teyana Taylor
- Zendaya
The Pulse Award (NEW)
- 85 South Show
- Baby, This Is Keke Palmer
- Charlamagne Tha God
- Don Lemon
- Druski
- It Is What It Is
- Joe and Jada
- On the Radar
- R&B Money Podcast
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
- Ari Lennox
- Coco Jones
- Ella Mai
- Jill Scott
- Kehlani
- Mariah the Scientist
- Olivia Dean
- SZA
- Tems
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
- Brent Faiyaz
- Bruno Mars
- Bryson Tiller
- Chris Brown
- Durand Bernarr
- GIVĒON
- Leon Thomas
- October London
- Usher
Best Group
- 41
- Clipse
- De La Soul
- FLO
- French Montana & Max B
- Metro Boomin & DJ Spinz
- Nas & DJ Premier
- Terrace Martin & Kenyon Dixon
- Wizkid & Asake
Best Collaboration
- “Chains & Whips” — Clipse & Kendrick Lamar
- “Errtime Remix” — Cardi B feat. Jeezy & Latto
- “Go Girl” — Summer Walker feat. Latto & Doja Cat
- “Good Flirts” — Baby Keem feat. Kendrick Lamar & Momo Boyd
- “Is It a Crime” — Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis
- “It Depends (The Remix)” — Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller & Usher
- “Take Me Thru Dere” — Metro Boomin feat. Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece & DJ Spinz
- “wgft” — Gunna feat. Burna Boy
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
- A$AP Rocky
- Baby Keem
- BigXthaPlug
- DaBaby
- Don Toliver
- Drake
- J. Cole
- Kendrick Lamar
- T.I.
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
- Cardi B
- Coi Leray
- Doechii
- Doja Cat
- GloRilla
- Latto
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Monaleo
- YK Niece
Video of the Year
- “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.
- “luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA
Video Director of the Year
- A$AP Rocky & Dan Streit
- Anderson .Paak
- Benny Boom
- Cactus Jack
- Cardi B & Patientce Foster
- Cole Bennett
- Director X
- Hype Williams
- Teyana “Spike-Tey” Taylor
Best New Artist
- Belly Gang Kushington
- DESTIN CONRAD
- JayDon
- kwn
- Miles Minnick
- Monaleo
- Olivia Dean
- RAYE
- Trap Dickey
Album of the Year
- AM I THE DRAMA? — Cardi B
- DON’T TAP THE GLASS — Tyler, the Creator
- everything is a lot. — Wale
- HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY — Mariah the Scientist
- Let God Sort Em Out — Clipse
- MUTT Deluxe: HEEL — Leon Thomas
- The Fall-Off — J. Cole
- The Romantic — Bruno Mars
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
- “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
- “Headphones” — Lecrae, Killer Mike & T.I.
Best Actress
- Angela Bassett
- Ayo Edebiri
- Chase Infiniti
- Coco Jones
- Cynthia Erivo
- Keke Palmer
- Quinta Brunson
- Regina Hall
- Teyana Taylor
Best Actor
- Aaron Pierre
- Aldis Hodge
- Anthony Mackie
- Colman Domingo
- Damson Idris
- Delroy Lindo
- Denzel Washington
- Michael B. Jordan
- Sterling K. Brown
YoungStars Award
- Daria Johns
- Graceyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth
- Heiress Harris
- Jazzy’s World TV
- Lela Hoffmeister
- North West
- Thaddeus J. Mixson
- VanVan
Best Movie
- Highest 2 Lowest
- Him
- Number One on the Call Sheet
- One Battle After Another
- Relationship Goals
- Ruth & Boaz
- Sinners
- Wicked: For Good
Sportswoman of the Year Award
- 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 Award
- Aaron Judge — Baseball
- Anthony Edwards — Basketball
- Caleb Williams — Football
- Jalen Brunson — Basketball
- Jalen Hurts — Football
- LeBron James — Basketball
- Shedeur Sanders — Football
- Stephen Curry — Basketball
BET Her
- “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
- “Gorgeous” — Doja Cat
- “Lady Lady” — Olivia Dean
Viewers’ Choice
- “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
- “Take Me Thru Dere” — Metro Boomin feat. Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece & DJ Spinz
