The BET Awards will feature an all-star roster of performers, including rap legend Nas, chart-topping rapper Cardi B, and gospel legend Erica Campbell.
Nas, Alexia Jayy, Ari Lennox, Baby Keem, BJ the Chicago Kid, Durand Bernarr, Erica Campbell, Le’Andria Johnson, Rapsody, and RAYE were added to the performance lineup in the last few days, BET said in a press release.
They join previously announced performers Cardi B, Queen Latifah, T.I., Doechii, Jill Scott, Kehlani, Common, Tems, Don Toliver, Rick Ross, The War and Treaty, and French Montana who will reunite with Max B.
Tribute Performances
Lauryn Hill, who is receiving BET’s Living Legend Icon Award, will be honored during a performance featuring Alexia Jayy, Common, Doechii, Doja Cat, Lizzo, Nas, Queen Latifah, Rapsody, selah, Tierra Whack, The War and Treaty, Zion Marley and YG Marley.
D’Angelo will be remembered with a performance by Ari Lennox, BJ the Chicago Kid, Durand Bernarr, George Clinton, and RAYE.
Richard Smallwood will be recognized with performances by gospel stars Erica Campbell and Le’Andria Johnson during the “In Memoriam” segment.
Special Achievement Honors
Teyana Taylor will be presented with BET’s Icon of the Year Award for being a “creative force whose work, presence, and vision are setting the tone right now.”
Sylvia Rhone, a longtime music executive who served as CEO of Epic Records, will be honored with the Ultimate Icon Award.
The Nominees
Cardi B leads the list of nominees with a total of six nominations, including Best Female Hip Hop Artist and Album of the Year for Am I the Drama?
Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist follow with five nominations each. Doechii, Doja Cat, Clipse, Teyana Taylor, Olivia Dean, and Latto all picked up four nominations.
BET added two new categories this year — Fashion Vanguard Award and Pulse Award.
Fashion Vanguard recognizes “a global figure whose fashion presence has had a long-standing cultural impact.” The nominees are A$AP Rocky, Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Cardi B, Colman Domingo, Doechii, Rihanna, Teyana Taylor, and Zendaya.
The Pulse Award recognizes a creator, campaign or content series that “moved Black culture forward in digital spaces.” The nominees are “85 South Show,” “Baby, This Is Keke Palmer,” “It Is What It Is,” “Joe and Jada,” “On the Radar,” “R&B Money Podcast,” Charlamagne Tha God, Don Lemon, and Druski.
Who Is Hosting?
Druski, 31, is hosting the awards, and is the youngest person to serve as host in the show’s history. The internet comedian, known for his viral videos, has promised “huge surprises.”
Where to Watch
The 2026 BET Awards take place at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 28. The broadcast airs at 8 P.M. ET/PT on BET.
The live show will be simulcast on BET Her, CMT, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop, VH1, Comedy Central, and TV Land. Live streaming is also available through Paramount+.
Pre-Show Coverage
If you’re interested in the pre-show interviews and fashions, the red carpet streams live beginning at 5:30 P.M. ET/2:30 P.M. PT on BET’s YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitch accounts.
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