BET released the nominees for their annual Awards on May 19 with music artist Cardi B leading the list of nominees with six. Kendrick Larmar and Mariah the Scientist follow close behind with five nominations each.
Doechii, Doja Cat, Clipse, Teyana Taylor, Olivia Dean, Latto, A$AP Rocky, Bruno Mars, Bryson Tiller, Chris Brown, Jill Scott, Kehlani, Metro Boomin, SZA, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, T.I. and YK Niece also garnered multiple award nominations.
The BET Awards have two new categories this year with The Fashion Vanguard and the Pulse Award.
EVP, specials, music programming & music strategy at BET Connie Orlando spoke on the awards via statement saying, “all of our nominees represent the very best of Black culture across music, film, sports, and beyond, and with the introduction of the Fashion Vanguard Award and the Pulse Award, we’re proud to honor even more of the ways our culture continues to show up and evolve.” She is also the executive producer for this year’s award presentations.
BET Award nominees were selected via a panel of “entertainment professionals and influencers in the fields of music, media, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations and creative arts.”
The 2026 BET Awards are set for June 28 with Druski hosting the gala event.
The 2026 BET Award nominees are:
Album of the Year:
“Am I the Drama?” by Cardi B
“Don’t Tap the Glass” by Tyler, the Creator
“everything is a lot” by Wale
“Hearts Sold Separately” by Mariah the Scientist
“Let God Sort Em Out” by Clipse
“Mutt Deluxe: Heel” by Leon Thomas
“The Fall-Off” by J. Cole
“The Romantic” by Bruno Mars
Best Female R&B/Pos Artist:
Ari Lennox
Coco Jones
Ella Mai
Jill Scott
Kehlani
Mariah the Scientist
Olivia Dean
SZA
Tems
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist:
Brent Faiyaz
Bruno Mars
Bryson Tiller
Chris Brown
Durand Bernarr
GIVĒON
Leon Thomas
October London
Usher
Best Female Hip Hop Artist:
Cardi B
Coi Leray
Doechii
Doja Cat
GloRilla
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Monaleo
YK Niece
Best Male Hip Hop Artist:
A$AP Rocky
Baby Keem
BigXthaPlug
DaBaby
Don Toliver
Drake
J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar
T.I.
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” by Clipse & Kendrick Lamar
“Errtime Remix” by Cardi B withJeezy & Latto
“Go Girl” by Summer Walker with Latto & Doja Cat
“Good Flirts” by Baby Keem with Kendrick Lamar & Momo Boyd
“Is It a Crime” by Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis
“It Depends (The Remix)” by Chris Brown with Bryson Tiller & Usher
“Take Me Thru Dere” by Metro Boomin with Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece & DJ Spinz
“wgft” by Gunna with Burna Boy
Best New Artist:
Belly Gang Kushington
DESTIN CONRAD
JayDon
kwn
Miles Minnick
Monaleo
Olivia Dean
RAYE
Trap Dickey
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award:
“Able” by Kirk Franklin
“ABLE (REMIX)” by Darrel Walls, PJ Morton & Kim Burrell
“All to Thee” by BeBe Winans
“Already Good (Tasha Slide)” by Tasha Cobbs Leonard
“At the Cross” by CeCe Winans
“Church” by Tasha Cobbs Leonard & John Legend
“Do It Again” by Kirk Franklin
“Headphones” by Lecrae, Killer Mike & T.I.
BET Her:
“Already Good (Tasha Slide)” by Tasha Cobbs Leonard
“Be Great” by Jill Scott with Trombone Shorty
“Beautiful People” by Jill Scott
“First” by Tems
“girl, get up.” by Doechii with SZA
“Go Girl” by Summer Walker with Latto & Doja Cat
“Gorgeous” by Doja Cat
“Lady Lady” by Olivia Dean
Viewers’ Choice:
“Burning Blue” by Mariah the Scientist
“Chains & Whips” by Clipse with Kendrick Lamar
“Chanel” by Tyla
“Folded” by Kehlani
“I Just Might” by Bruno Mars
“It Depends” by Chris Brown by Bryson Tiller
“Man I Need” by Olivia Dean
“Outside” by Cardi B
“Raindance” by Dave & Tems
“Take Me Thru Dere” by Metro Boomin with Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece & DJ Spinz
Video of the Year:
“100” by Ella Mai
“Anxiety” by Doechii
“Burning Blue” by Mariah the Scientist
“Chanel” by Tyla
“Escape Room (Short Film)” by Teyana Taylor
“Folded” by Kehlani
“LET ‘EM KNOW” — T.I.
“luther” by Kendrick Lamar & SZA
Video Director of the Year:
A$AP Rocky & Dan Streit
Anderson .Paak
Benny Boom
Cactus Jack
Cardi B & Patientce Foster
Cole Bennett
Director X
Hype Williams
Teyana “Spike-Tey” Taylor
The Fashion Vanguard Award:
A$AP Rocky
Bad Bunny
Beyoncé
Cardi B
Colman Domingo
Doechii
Rihanna
Teyana Taylor
Zendaya
The Pulse Award:
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 Movie:
“Highest 2 Lowest”
“Him”
“Number One on the Call Sheet”
“One Battle After Another”
“Relationship Goals”
“Ruth & Boaz”
“Sinners”
“Wicked: For Good”
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
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