BET Awards 2026 Winners have been officially announced, with Teyana Taylor and Clipse emerging as the biggest winners of the night, while Nigerian music stars Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tems and Asake failed to secure victories despite earning major nominations.
The star-studded ceremony took place on Sunday at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and was hosted by comedian Druski. The annual awards celebrated excellence across music, film, television and sports, with several global stars receiving top honours.
For Nigerian music fans, expectations were high after Afrobeats heavyweights Tems, Wizkid, Burna Boy and Asake received nominations across multiple categories, highlighting the genre’s continued global success.
However, none of the Nigerian nominees converted their nominations into wins.
Tems entered the ceremony with three nominations, including Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, BET Her Award for First, and the Viewers’ Choice Award for Raindance, her collaboration with British rapper Dave.
The Best Female R&B/Pop Artist award went to Kehlani, while Doechii featuring SZA won the BET Her Award with girl, get up.. Mariah the Scientist claimed the Viewers’ Choice Award for Burning Blue.
Although she left without an award, Tems impressed the audience with a live performance of her hit song What You Need, earning praise from fans and critics alike.
Wizkid and Asake also missed out in the Best Group category, where legendary rap duo Clipse completed a remarkable comeback by taking home the award.
Clipse also won Album of the Year for Let God Sort Em Out and Best Collaboration for Chains & Whips featuring Kendrick Lamar, making them one of the biggest winners of the evening.
Burna Boy was nominated for Best Collaboration through his appearance on Gunna’s WGFT, but the award also went to Clipse and Kendrick Lamar.
South African superstar Tyla likewise failed to win despite nominations in both the Video of the Year and Viewers’ Choice Award categories.
Beyond music, Nigerian representation in the film categories also fell short.
British-Nigerian actress Ayo Edebiri and Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo lost the Best Actress award to Teyana Taylor, while British-Nigerian actor Damson Idris missed out on Best Actor, which was won by Michael B. Jordan for his performance in Sinners.
Teyana Taylor enjoyed an exceptional night, receiving the prestigious Icon of the Year Award presented by music legend Janet Jackson.
She also won three competitive awards, including Best Actress, Video Director of the Year, and the inaugural Fashion Vanguard Award, making her the most decorated individual winner of the ceremony.
Kendrick Lamar continued his dominance by winning Best Male Hip-Hop Artist for a record-extending ninth time, while Kehlani added Video of the Year for Folded to her Best Female R&B/Pop Artist victory.
Other notable winners included Leon Thomas as Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, Cardi B as Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, Olivia Dean as Best New Artist, and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, which claimed the Best Movie award.
Special honours were also presented during the ceremony.
Legendary singer Lauryn Hill received the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award, veteran music executive Sylvia Rhone was honoured with the Ultimate Icon Award, while host Druski received the newly introduced Pulse Award.
The outcome of the BET Awards 2026 Winners once again highlighted the increasing global competition across the music industry, even as Afrobeats continues to maintain a strong presence on the international stage through multiple nominations and performances.
BET Awards 2026 Winners – Full List
- Album of the Year – Let God Sort Em Out — Clipse
- Best Female R&B/Pop Artist – Kehlani
- Best Male R&B/Pop Artist – Leon Thomas
- Best Female Hip-Hop Artist – Cardi B
- Best Male Hip-Hop Artist – Kendrick Lamar
- Best Group – Clipse
- Best Collaboration – Chains & Whips — Clipse featuring Kendrick Lamar
- Best New Artist – Olivia Dean
- BET Her Award – girl, get up. — Doechii featuring SZA
- Viewers’ Choice Award – Burning Blue — Mariah the Scientist
- Video of the Year – Folded — Kehlani
- Video Director of the Year – Teyana Taylor
- Best Movie – Sinners
- Best Actress – Teyana Taylor
- Best Actor – Michael B. Jordan
- Sportswoman of the Year – A’ja Wilson
- Sportsman of the Year – Jalen Brunson
Special Honours
- Icon of the Year – Teyana Taylor
- Living Legend Icon Award – Lauryn Hill
- Ultimate Icon Award – Sylvia Rhone
- Pulse Award – Druski
Special honours were also presented during the ceremony.
Legendary singer Lauryn Hill received the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award, veteran music executive Sylvia Rhone was honoured with the Ultimate Icon Award, while host Druski received the newly introduced Pulse Award.
The outcome of the BET Awards 2026 Winners once again highlighted the increasing global competition across the music industry, even as Afrobeats continues to maintain a strong presence on the international stage through multiple nominations and performances.
