Teyana Taylor, Clipse Lead Winners At 2026 BET Awards

Teyana Taylor and hip-hop duo Clipse emerged as the biggest winners at the 2026 BET Awards, taking three competitive awards each at the annual ceremony in Los Angeles. The event also saw Nigerian stars Tems, Wizkid, Asake and Burna Boy receive nominations, while Tems joined the line-up of performers on the night. 

Hosted by comedian Druski at the Peacock Theater, the awards celebrated achievements across music, film, television and sports. Taylor won Best Actress, Video Director of the Year and the Fashion Vanguard Award before receiving the honorary Icon of the Year award. Clipse claimed Album of the Year for Let God Sort Em Out, Best Group and Best Collaboration for Chains & Whips with Kendrick Lamar. 

Kendrick Lamar won Best Male Hip Hop Artist, extending his record in the category, while Cardi B was named Best Female Hip Hop Artist. Kehlani picked up two awards for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist and Video of the Year for Folded. Leon Thomas won Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, Olivia Dean was named Best New Artist, and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners won Best Movie. Michael B. Jordan also took home the Best Actor award for his role in the film. 

Nigeria was represented across several categories. Tems earned nominations for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, BET Her for First and Viewers’ Choice for Raindance with Dave. Wizkid and Asake were nominated for Best Group, while Burna Boy received a Best Collaboration nomination for his feature on Gunna’s wgft. None of the Nigerian nominees won in their categories. 

Tems also took to the stage as one of the night’s performers, joining Cardi B, Kehlani, Doechii, Don Toliver, RAYE, T.I. and several other artists during the live broadcast. The ceremony also featured tributes to music legends, with Janet Jackson presenting Taylor’s Icon of the Year award, Lauryn Hill receiving the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award and veteran music executive Sylvia Rhone honoured with the Ultimate Icon Award. 

Selected Winners

• Album of the Year: Let God Sort Em Out — Clipse
• Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Cardi B
• Best Male Hip Hop Artist: Kendrick Lamar
• Best Female R&B/Pop Artist: Kehlani
• Best Male R&B/Pop Artist: Leon Thomas
• Best Group: Clipse
• Best Collaboration: Chains & Whips — Clipse featuring Kendrick Lamar
• Best New Artist: Olivia Dean
• Video of the Year: Folded — Kehlani
• Video Director of the Year: Teyana Taylor
• Best Movie: Sinners
• Best Actor: Michael B. Jordan

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 featuring Kendrick Lamar

Best New Artist: Olivia Dean

Dr Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award: Headphones — Lecrae, Killer Mike & T.I.

BET Her: girl, get up. — Doechii featuring SZA

Viewers’ Choice: Burning Blue — Mariah the Scientist

Video of the Year: Folded — Kehlani

Video Director of the Year: Teyana Taylor

Best Movie: Sinners

Best Actor: Michael B. Jordan