It’s that time of year again. The 2026 BET Awards take place June 28 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, and there’s a lot going on this time around, from a brand new host to a brand new award category nobody’s ever seen before.
Who’s Hosting The 2026 BET Awards
Druski takes over as host this year, making him the youngest host in BET Awards history.
He’s built his name through viral skits and a personality that connects across generations, so expect a different energy than past ceremonies. This is his first time hosting the show.
@druski EVERYONE'S INVITED TO BET AWARDS THIS YEAR 😂🔥 #druski #cardib #jamiefoxx #johnlegend #martinlawrence ♬ original sound – DRUSKI
Who’s Leading the Nominations?
- Cardi B leads the field with six nominations
- Followed closely by Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist with five each.
- Doechii, Doja Cat, Clipse, Teyana Taylor, Olivia Dean and Latto all picked up four nominations apiece.
Cardi’s nods include Album of the Year for Am I The Drama?, Best Female Hip Hop Artist, and a nomination in the brand new Fashion Vanguard category.
What’s Actually Different This Year?
BET introduced two new categories this year. The Fashion Vanguard Award honors a global figure whose style has shaped culture, with nominees including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Zendaya, Bad Bunny and Cardi B herself.
Film and TV categories are also expanding their reach. Sinners and One Battle After Another, both Oscar best picture nominees, are up for Best Movie here too, alongside Wicked: For Good, which got completely shut out at the Oscars.
Who’s Performing?
Cardi B is confirmed to perform, alongside Doechii, Don Toliver, French Montana & Max B, Jill Scott, Kehlani, Tems, T.I. and more. Common is also set to take the stage.
Queen Latifah, who hosted the show back in 2010, is also returning as a performer, and hip-hop legend MC Lyte is back as the show’s announcer.
YOU MAY READ: MET Gala 2026: All You Need To Know
The Big HonoreesThe 2026 BET Awards
- This year’s tributes are stacked. Lauryn Hill becomes the very first recipient of the brand new Living Legend Icon Award.
- Teyana Taylor receives the inaugural Icon of the Year Award.
- And music executive Sylvia Rhone is being given the Ultimate Icon Award, an honor previously given to names like Snoop Dogg.
Hot Take Worth Having
Mariah the Scientist quietly becoming one of the top three nominees this year is the real story nobody’s talking enough about. She’s not a household name the way Cardi or Kendrick are yet, but five nominations including Album of the Year says the industry already knows what’s coming.
The show airs live Sunday, June 28, at 8pm ET/PT on BET, with a simulcast across BET HER, MTV, VH1, Comedy Central and several other networks. BETX, the multi-day fan experience leading up to the show, runs June 25 through 27 with concerts and celebrity events around Los Angeles.
Mark your calendar. This one’s going to be loud.
