The BET Awards 2026 was not short of expectations. It was a night filled with memorable performances, emotional speeches, magical moments, and plenty of conversations online.
Celebrities came with their full energy and right from when they stepped onto the red carpet, viewers knew they were in for an entertaining night. By the time the final award was presented, social media was already flooded with clips, reactions, and debates over the biggest wins, standout performances, and unforgettable moments.
If you missed the BET Awards 2026, here’s everything that stood out from one of the biggest nights in Black entertainment.
BET Awards 2026 Winners and Special Honors
Music
Album of the Year
- Winner: Let God Sort Em Out – Clipse
- Don’t Tap the Glass – Tyler, the Creator
- Everything Is a Lot. – Wale
- Hearts Sold Separately – Mariah the Scientist
- MUTT Deluxe: HEEL – Leon Thomas
- The Fall-Off – J. Cole
- The Romantic – Bruno Mars
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
- Winner: Kehlani
- Ari Lennox
- Coco Jones
- Ella Mai
- Jill Scott
- Mariah the Scientist
- Olivia Dean
- SZA
- Tems
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
- Winner: Leon Thomas
- Brent Faiyaz
- Bruno Mars
- Bryson Tiller
- Chris Brown
- Durand Bernarr
- GIVĒON
- October London
- Usher
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
- Winner: Kendrick Lamar
- A$AP Rocky
- Baby Keem
- BigXthaPlug
- DaBaby
- Don Toliver
- Drake
- J. Cole
- T.I.
Best Group
- Winner: Clipse
- 41
- De La Soul
- FLO
- French Montana & Max B
- Metro Boomin & DJ Spinz
- Nas & DJ Premier
- Terrace Martin & Kenyon Dixon
- Wizkid & Asake
Best Collaboration
- Winner: “Chains & Whips” – Clipse feat. 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 New Artist
- Winner: Olivia Dean
- Belly Gang Kushington
- Destin Conrad
- JayDon
- kwn
- Miles Minnick
- Monaleo
- RAYE
- Trap Dickey
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
- Winner: “Headphones” – Lecrae, Killer Mike & T.I.
- “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
BET Her Award
- Winner: “girl, get up.” – Doechii feat. SZA
- “Already Good (Tasha Slide)” – Tasha Cobbs Leonard
- “Be Great” – Jill Scott feat. Trombone Shorty
- “Beautiful People” – Jill Scott
- “First” – Tems
- “Go Girl” – Summer Walker feat. Latto & Doja Cat
- “Gorgeous” – Doja Cat
- “Lady Lady” – Olivia Dean
Viewers’ Choice Award
- Winner: “Burning Blue” – Mariah the Scientist
- “Chains & Whips” – Clipse feat. Kendrick Lamar
- “Chanel” – Tyla
- “Folded” – Kehlani
- “I Just Might” – Bruno Mars
- “It Depends (The Remix)” – Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller & Usher
- “Man I Need” – Olivia Dean
- “Raindance” – Dave & Tems
- “Take Me Thru Dere” – Metro Boomin feat. Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece & DJ Spinz
Video of the Year
- Winner: “Folded” – Kehlani
- “100” – Ella Mai
- “Anxiety” – Doechii
- “Burning Blue” – Mariah the Scientist
- “Chanel” – Tyla
- “Escape Room (Short Film)” – Teyana Taylor
- “Let ‘Em Know” – T.I.
- “Luther” – Kendrick Lamar & SZA
Video Director of the Year
- Winner: Teyana “Spike-Tey” Taylor
- A$AP Rocky & Dan Streit
- Anderson .Paak
- Benny Boom
- Cactus Jack
- Cardi B & Patientce Foster
- Cole Bennett
- Director X
- Hype Williams
General
Fashion Vanguard Award
- Winner: Teyana Taylor
- A$AP Rocky
- Bad Bunny
- Beyoncé
- Colman Domingo
- Doechii
- Rihanna
- Zendaya
The Pulse Award
- Winner: Druski
- 85 South Show
- Baby, This Is Keke Palmer
- Charlamagne Tha God
- Don Lemon
- It Is What It Is
- Joe and Jada
- On the Radar
- R&B Money Podcast
Film & Television
Best Movie
- Winner: Sinners
- Highest 2 Lowest
- Him
- Number One on the Call Sheet
- One Battle After Another
- Relationship Goals
- Ruth & Boaz
- Wicked: For Good
Best Actress
- Winner: Teyana Taylor
- Angela Bassett
- Ayo Edebiri
- Chase Infiniti
- Coco Jones
- Cynthia Erivo
- Keke Palmer
- Quinta Brunson
- Regina Hall
Best Actor
- Winner: Michael B. Jordan
- Aaron Pierre
- Aldis Hodge
- Anthony Mackie
- Colman Domingo
- Damson Idris
- Delroy Lindo
- Denzel Washington
- Sterling K. Brown
YoungStars Award
- Winner: Jazzy’s World TV
- Daria Johns
- Graceyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth
- Heiress Harris
- Lela Hoffmeister
- North West
- Thaddeus J. Mixson
- VanVan
Sports
Sportswoman of the Year
- Winner: A’ja Wilson
- Angel Reese
- Claressa Shields
- Coco Gauff
- Flau’jae Johnson
- Gabby Thomas
- Jordan Chiles
- Naomi Osaka
- Sha’Carri Richardson
Sportsman of the Year
- Winner: Jalen Brunson
- Aaron Judge
- Anthony Edwards
- Caleb Williams
- Jalen Hurts
- LeBron James
- Shedeur Sanders
- Stephen Curry
Special Honors
- Icon of the Year: Teyana Taylor
- Living Legend Icon Award: Lauryn Hill
- Ultimate Icon Award: Sylvia Rhone
- Fashion Vanguard Award: Teyana Taylor
Kehlani Reminded Everyone Why She Remains One of R&B’s Strongest Live Performers
Fresh off winning Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, she delivered a smooth, emotional performance that gave many people goosebumps. Many viewers on X described it as one of the cleanest and most beautiful performances of the night, with several saying she “never misses” when performing live.
RAYE Was on Top of Her Game
Another standout came from RAYE, whose performance earned a standing ovation inside the venue. She never goes wrong with her powerful vocals. She gave viewers a really good show and viewers thought it was one of the night’s best live performances.
Artists Pay Tribute to Lauryn Hill With Special Performance
One of the night’s most powerful moments was the tribute to Lauryn Hill, as a lineup of artists celebrated the legendary singer with renditions of some of her most iconic songs.
The tribute to Lauryn Hill brought together some of the biggest names in music, including Queen Latifah, Common, SZA, Doja Cat, Nas, Lizzo, and Wyclef Jean who performed some of her biggest hits before she took the stage to receive the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award.
The performance served as a reminder of Hill’s enduring influence on music and why she remains one of the most respected voices in the industry.
Lauryn Hill Receives One of the Night’s Biggest Honors
One of the most memorable moments of the 2026 BET Awards came when Lauryn Hill took the stage to receive one of the night’s highest honors.
Widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of her generation, Hill’s recognition celebrated a legacy that continues to shape music and inspire artists across generations.
Watch the moment below.
Keke Palmer’s Comment That Got Everyone Laughing
Keke Palmer had viewers laughing after joking that she should have been the one hosting the BET Awards. Many fans agreed, saying Keke’s natural humor, quick wit, and experience would make her a great host for a future ceremony.
Host Druski Kept Viewers Entertained Throughout the Ceremony
Druski‘s jokes and playful interactions with celebrities received mixed reactions, but many fans felt he brought a relaxed and fun atmosphere to the show. This year’s ceremony marked a milestone for Druski, who became the youngest person ever to host the BET Awards.
The Heartfelt Performance by Erica Campbell and Le’Andria Johnson
One of the night’s most emotional moments came when Erica Campbell and Le’Andria Johnson performed a touching tribute honoring loved ones the entertainment world has lost. Many viewers described it as one of the ceremony’s most heartfelt performances.
The Tribute Moment That Left Teyana Taylor in Tears
Another moment that stood out came when Janet Jackson received a lengthy standing ovation before presenting Teyana Taylor with the Icon Award.
As Janet Jackson presented her with the Icon Award, Teyana Taylor became emotional and struggled to hold back tears while accepting one of the biggest honors of her career.
Teyana Taylor Makes a Bold Red Carpet Statement
Teyana Taylor was easily one of the best-dressed stars of the night. The Icon of the Year honoree arrived in a dramatic burgundy gown by Stéphane Rolland, complete with a structured silhouette and a matching oversized hat.
Other celebrities who got people talking with their outfits included Lizzo, Coco Jones, Bow Wow, Rick Ross, Jaafar Jackson, and Muni Long, each bringing their own unique style to Culture’s Biggest Night.
Across social media, many viewers agreed that this year’s BET Awards wasn’t just about celebrating music and entertainment. It also delivered plenty of memorable fashion moments.
More Than Just an Awards Show
More than two decades after the first ceremony, the BET Awards remain one of the biggest celebrations of Black excellence across music, film, television, sports, and culture. Viewers were not disappointed at the night’s performances. Back to back, every artist brought something magical to the stage.
Every year, the show brings together legendary performers, rising stars, athletes, actors, and creators under one roof. It also creates unforgettable moments that continue trending long after the final award has been presented.
The BET Awards 2026 ceremony followed that tradition, giving fans plenty to celebrate while creating new moments that are already becoming part of BET Awards history.
