2026 BET Awards: Full Winners List – Teyana Taylor and Clipse Dominate “Culture’s Biggest Night”
The 2026 BET Awards delivered a spectacular celebration of Black excellence at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 28, 2026 . Hosted by comedian and social media star Druski, the night featured show-stopping performances, emotional tributes, and a historic shift in how African artists are recognized on the global stage .
Big Winners: Teyana Taylor and Clipse Lead the Pack
Two artists emerged as the undisputed champions of the night: Teyana Taylor and the hip-hop duo Clipse, each taking home three competitive awards .
Teyana Taylor capped off a remarkable year, winning:
- Best Actress
- Video Director of the Year (for “Escape Room”)
- The newly introduced Fashion Vanguard Award
She also received the prestigious Icon of the Year award, presented by a tearful Janet Jackson .
Clipse’s Triumphant Return
After a long hiatus, Clipse (Pusha T and No Malice) proved their enduring legacy by winning:
- Album of the Year for Let God Sort ‘Em Out
- Best Group
- Best Collaboration for “Chains & Whips” with Kendrick Lamar
Other Multiple Winners
- Kendrick Lamar: Best Male Hip Hop Artist (a record ninth win) and Best Collaboration
- Kehlani: Best Female R&B/Pop Artist and Video of the Year for “Folded”
Complete List of Winners
Music Categories
Film & TV Categories
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Movie | Sinners (Ryan Coogler) |
| Best Actress | Teyana Taylor |
| Best Actor | Michael B. Jordan |
| YoungStars Award | Jazzy’s World TV |
New General Categories
Sports Categories
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Sportswoman of the Year | A’ja Wilson (Basketball) |
| Sportsman of the Year | Jalen Brunson (Basketball) |
Special Honors
The ceremony also celebrated three legendary figures with special awards :
- Teyana Taylor: Icon of the Year Award
- Ms. Lauryn Hill: Inaugural Living Legend Icon Award
- Sylvia Rhone: Ultimate Icon Award
Performances throughout the night included Cardi B, Kehlani, Don Toliver, Tems, Baby Keem, and a moving tribute to the late D’Angelo .
A New Era: African Artists Go Global
In a significant shift for the awards, the African/International category was removed, integrating African artists directly into the main competitive fields . African stars like Tems, Burna Boy, and Tyla were nominated alongside American and British acts, marking a symbolic milestone in the globalization of African music .
FAQs
Q: Who hosted the 2026 BET Awards?
A: The ceremony was hosted by comedian and influencer Druski.
Q: Who won the most awards at the 2026 BET Awards?
A: Teyana Taylor and Clipse tied for the most wins, with three competitive awards each.
Q: When and where were the 2026 BET Awards held?
A: The awards were held on June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California.
Q: Did any African artists win at the 2026 BET Awards?
A: While no specific African artist won a main category this year, the ceremony marked a major shift by integrating African artists directly into the main categories for the first time, indicating a broader move towards global recognition.
Q: Who performed at the 2026 BET Awards?
A: The lineup featured performances from Cardi B, Kehlani, Don Toliver, Tems, Baby Keem, T.I., French Montana, Max B, Rick Ross, and more. There was also a special tribute to D’Angelo featuring Ari Lennox, Raye, and George Clinton
About 2026 BET Awards
The 2026 BET Awards took place on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, hosted by comedian Druski. Teyana Taylor and Clipse emerged as the night’s biggest winners, each taking home three competitive awards. Taylor won Best Actress, Video Director of the Year, and the new Fashion Vanguard Award, while Clipse won Album of the Year (Let God Sort ‘Em Out), Best Group, and Best Collaboration (“Chains & Whips” with Kendrick Lamar). Kendrick Lamar won his record ninth Best Male Hip Hop Artist award plus Best Collaboration, while Kehlani won Best Female R&B/Pop Artist and Video of the Year for “Folded.” Other winners included Cardi B (Best Female Hip Hop Artist), Leon Thomas (Best Male R&B/Pop Artist), Olivia Dean (Best New Artist), and Michael B. Jordan (Best Actor for Sinners, his fourth win). Special honors went to Teyana Taylor (Icon of the Year, presented by Janet Jackson), Ms. Lauryn Hill (Living Legend Icon Award), and Sylvia Rhone (Ultimate Icon Award).
The ceremony featured performances by Cardi B, Kehlani, Don Toliver, Tems, Baby Keem, T.I., Rick Ross, Common, Doechii, Queen Latifah, Jill Scott, and more, with tributes to Clive Davis and D’Angelo. In a significant shift, the African/International category was removed, integrating African artists like Tems and Burna Boy directly into main categories. Druski made history as the show’s youngest host, and new categories included Fashion Vanguard Award and Pulse Award. The night celebrated Black excellence across music, film, sports, and culture, with A’ja Wilson (Sportswoman of the Year) and Jalen Brunson (Sportsman of the Year) also honored.
About The Peacock Theater
The 2026 BET Awards took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. This venue, with a capacity of 7,100 seats, is located within the L.A. LIVE entertainment complex at 777 Chick Hearn Court, directly across from the Crypto.com Arena .
The theater has been the home of the BET Awards since 2013 . Opened in October 2007, it has hosted numerous major events, including the Primetime Emmy Awards, American Music Awards, and ESPYs . It has been known as the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live (2007-2015) and the Microsoft Theater (2015-2023)
