FULL LIST: Cardi B, Teyana Taylor, Kendrick Lamar shine at 2026 BET awards
June 29, 2026 6:57 am
Teyana Taylor. Photo: Variety
American actress and singer Teyana Taylor and hip-hop duo Clipse emerged as the biggest winners at the 2026 BET Awards, taking home three awards each during the ceremony held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday.
The event, hosted by comedian Druski and broadcast live on BET, also saw Kendrick Lamar and Kehlani secure two awards apiece, according to a post on Billboard.
Taylor capped off a remarkable year by winning Best Actress, Video Director of the Year and the newly introduced Fashion Vanguard Award. She was also honoured with the prestigious Icon of the Year award, one of three honorary recognitions presented during the ceremony.
Clipse dominated the music categories, winning Album of the Year for Let God Sort ‘Em Out, Best Group and Best Collaboration for “Chains & Whips,” their hit collaboration with Kendrick Lamar.
Lamar added to his impressive BET Awards record by winning Best Male Hip Hop Artist for a ninth time, further extending his lead as the most decorated artiste in the category.
Kehlani claimed her first Best Female R&B/Pop Artist award, ending SZA’s three-year reign in the category, and also won Video of the Year for her hit song “Folded.”
British singer Olivia Dean, who earlier won Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards, replicated the feat at the BET Awards, becoming only the fifth artiste to win the category at both ceremonies.
Cardi B secured the Best Female Hip Hop Artist award, her third career win in the category and first since winning consecutive honours in 2018 and 2019.
Leon Thomas emerged as Best Male R&B/Pop Artist for the first time, beating former winners Chris Brown, Usher and Bruno Mars.
In the film categories, Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, won Best Movie, while Michael B. Jordan took home the Best Actor award for his performance in the film, his fourth win in the category.
Music legend Ms. Lauryn Hill received the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award, while veteran music executive Sylvia Rhone was honoured with the Ultimate Icon Award.
Sixteen-year-old journalist Jazlyn Guerra, popularly known as Jazzy’s World TV, won the YoungStars Award for her celebrity interviews and growing influence in entertainment journalism.
Full List of Winners at the 2026 BET Awards
Music Categories
- 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 & Kendrick Lamar
- Best New Artist – Olivia Dean
- Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award – “Headphones” — Lecrae, Killer Mike & T.I.
- BET Her Award – “girl, get up.” — Doechii feat. SZA
- Viewers’ Choice Award – “Burning Blue” — Mariah the Scientist
- Video of the Year – “Folded” — Kehlani
- Video Director of the Year – Teyana “Spike-Tey” Taylor
General Categories
- Fashion Vanguard Award – Teyana Taylor
- The Pulse Award – Druski
Film and Television
- Best Movie – Sinners
- Best Actress – Teyana Taylor
- Best Actor – Michael B. Jordan
- YoungStars Award – Jazzy’s World TV
Sports Categories
- Sportswoman of the Year – A’ja Wilson (Basketball)
- Sportsman of the Year – Jalen Brunson (Basketball)
Artists With the Most Wins
- Clipse – 3 awards
- Teyana Taylor – 3 awards
- Kehlani – 2 awards
- Kendrick Lamar – 2 awards
Most Nominated Without a Win
- Doja Cat – 4 nominations
- Latto – 4 nominations
- A$AP Rocky – 3 nominations
- Bruno Mars – 3 nominations
- Bryson Tiller – 3 nominations
- Chris Brown – 3 nominations
- Jill Scott – 3 nominations
- Metro Boomin – 3 nominations
- Tasha Cobbs Leonard – 3 nominations
- Tems – 3 nominations
- YK Niece – 3 nominations.
Olugbenga Ige is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over nine years of professional reporting experience. He is known for his sharp eye for compelling stories and a strong instinct for identifying newsworthy developments. Over the years, Olugbenga has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
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