The 2026 BET Awards nominations have been revealed, with Cardi B leading with six nominations.
Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist each received five nominations. Doechii, Doja Cat, Clipse, Teyana Taylor, Olivia Dean and Latto each recorded four mentions. The trio of nominees include A$AP Rocky, Bruno Mars, Bryson Tiller, Chris Brown, Jill Scott, Kehlani, Metro Boomin, SZA, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, T.I., and YK Niece.
This year, BET added two new categories, the Fashion Vanguard Award and the Pulse Award. The Fashion Vanguard Award “will recognize a global figure whose presence in fashion has had a long-lasting cultural impact, significantly influenced style narratives and continues to raise the profile of fashion as a form of storytelling across music, film, sports and public life,” BET said as part of Tuesday’s nominations announcement.
Cardi B is nominated for Fashion Vanguard Award, Best Collaboration, Female Hip-Hop Artist of the Year, Video Director of the Year, Album of the Year and Viewers’ Choice.
Kendrick Lamar and Mariah Scientist will face off against Cardi in the Best Collaboration and Viewers’ Choice categories, with Lamar scoring two nominations for Best Collaboration. In addition, Lamar and Mariah the Scientist both received the award for Video of the Year, and Mariah received the award for Album of the Year. Lamar was also nominated for Best Hip-Hop Artist, while Mariah was nominated for Best R&B/Pop Artist.
The Pulse Award is given to “the creator, campaign or content series that has powerfully moved Black culture forward in digital spaces by sparking conversation, building community, and defining the moment online,” BET said.
“All of our nominees represent the best of Black culture across music, film, sports and beyond, and with the introduction of the Fashion Vanguard Award and Pulse Award, we are proud to honor even more ways our culture continues to emerge and evolve,” Connie Orlando, BET’s executive vice president, specials, music programming and music strategy, said in a statement.
The 2026 BET Awards are scheduled to air live on Sunday, June 28 at 8pm ET/PT on BET and a number of other Paramount networks including BET HER, CMT, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Paramount, Pop, VH1, Comedy Central and TV Land.
Below is a complete list of this year’s nominees.
Fashion Vanguard Award
A$AP Rocky
Bad bunny
Beyoncé
Cardi B
Coleman Domingo
Deutsche
Rihanna
Teyana Taylor
Zendaya
Pulse Award
85 south view
Honey, this is Keke Palmer
Charlamagne tha God
Without lemon
Drusky
This is what it is
Joe and Jada
On the radar
R&B Money Podcast
Best R&B/Pop Female Artist
Ari Lennox
Coco Jones
Ella May
Jill Scott
Kilani
Maria the scientist
Olivia Dean
SZA
Tims
Best R&B/Pop Artist
Brent Fayez
Bruno Mars
Bryson Teller
Chris Brown
Durand Bernard
Jevon
Leon Thomas
October London
guide
Best group
41
Clips
de la soul
Flo
French Montana and Max B
Metro Boomin and DJ Spins
Nas and DJ Premier
Martin Terrace and Kenyon Dixon
Wizkid and Asaki
Best cooperation
“Chains and Whips” – Clips and Kendrick Lamar
“Errtime Remix” – Cardi B feat. Jeezy and Lato
“Go Girl” – the work of Summer Walker. Lato and Doja Cat
“Good Flirts” – feat. Bebe Kim. Kendrick Lamar and Momo Boyd
“Is It a Crime” – Maria the Scientist and Callie Uchis
“It Depends (Remix)” – Chris Brown feat. Bryson Teller and Asher
“Take Me Thru Dere” – Metro Boomin feat. Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece & DJ Spinz
“wgft” – Gunna’s work. Burna was born
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
A$AP Rocky
Baby Kim
BigXthaPlug
DaBaby
Don Toliver
Drake
J Cole
Kendrick Lamar
T.I
Best female hip hop artist
Cardi B
Coy for Ray
Deutsche
Doja Cat
Gloriella
Lato
Megan Thee Stallion
Monalio
YK’s daughter
Video of the year
“100” – Ella Mai
“Anxiety” – Deutsche
“Burning Blue” – Maria the Scientist
“Chanel” – Tila
“Escape Room (Short Film)” – Teyana Taylor
“Folded” – Kahalani
“Let them know” – T.I
“Luther” – Kendrick Lamar and SZA
Video Director of the Year
A$AP Rocky and Dan Street
Anderson .Paak
Beanie Boom
Cactus Jack
Cardi B and Patience Foster
Cole Bennett
The tenth director
Hype Williams
Tiana “Spike Tay” Taylor
Best New Artist
Belly Gang Cushington
Destin Conrad
Jaydon
kwn
Miles Minnick
Monalio
Olivia Dean
opinion
My cock trap
Album of the year
Am I drama? -Cardi B
Do not tap on the glass – Tyler, the Creator
It’s all a lot. — Will
Hearts sold separately – Maria the scientist
Let God sort them out —Clips
Death Deluxe: Heel -Leon Thomas
Falling — J. Cole
Romantic — Bruno Mars
Dr. Bobby Jones Award for Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
“Able” – Kirk Franklin
“ABLE (REMIX)” – Darrell Walls, PJ Morton and Kim Burrell
“It’s all yours” – BeBe Winans
“Really Good (Tasha’s Slice)” – Tasha Cobbs Leonard
“On the Cross” – CeCe Winans
“Church” – Tasha Cobbs Leonard and John Legend
“Do It Again” – Kirk Franklin
“Headphones” – Lecrae, Killer Mike & T.I
Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Ayo Edbury
Chase Infiniti
Coco Jones
Cynthia Erivo
Keke Palmer
Quinta Bronson
Regina Hall
Teyana Taylor
Best Actor
Aaron Pierre
Aldis Hodge
Anthony Mackie
Coleman Domingo
Damson Idris
Delroy Lindo
Denzel Washington
Michael B. Jordan
Sterling K. Brown
Young Stars Award
Daria Jones
Gracyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth
Heiress Harris
Jazzy International TV
Lila Hofmeister
Northwest
Thaddeus J. Mixson
Fanfan
Best movie
Highest 2 Lowest
for him
Number one on the contact sheet
Battle after battle
Relationship goals
Ruth and Boaz
Sinners
Evil: for good
Best Sportswoman of the Year Award
Aja Wilson — Basketball
Angel Reyes – Basketball
Clarissa Shields – boxing
Coco Gauff – Tennis
Flawjay Johnson — basketball
Gabe Thomas – Track and Field
Jordan Chili – gymnastics
Naomi Osaka – Tennis
Shakari Richardson – track and field
Athlete of the Year Award
Aaron Judge — Baseball
Anthony Edwards – basketball
Caleb Williams — Football
Jalen Brunson – Basketball
Jalen Hurts – Football
LeBron James – Basketball
Chedir Sanders – Football
Stephen Curry – Basketball
Bet her
“Really Good (Tasha’s Slice)” – Tasha Cobbs Leonard
“Be Great” – Jill Scott feat. Few trombones
“Beautiful People” – Jill Scott
“First” – Tims
“Girl, get up.” – Duce feat. SZA
“Go Girl” – the work of Summer Walker. Lato and Doja Cat
“Awesome” – Doja Cat
“Lady Lady” – Olivia Deen
Viewers choice
“Burning Blue” – Maria the Scientist
“Chains and Whips” – Clipse feat. Kendrick Lamar
“Chanel” – Tila
“Folded” – Kahalani
“I Just Might” – Bruno Mars
“It Depends” – Chris Brown feat. Bryson Teller
“The Man I Need” – Olivia Deen
“Outside” – Cardi B
“Raindance” – Dave and Tims
“Take Me Thru Dere” – Metro Boomin feat. Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece & DJ Spinz
