The BET Awards 2026 nominations are officially out, and this year’s list is shaping up to be one of the most globally competitive editions yet, with African stars once again making a strong impact across key categories.
From viral visuals to chart dominating collaborations, the nominations reflect a music landscape where Afrobeats, R&B, and hip-hop continue to collide on a worldwide stage.
Nigeria continues its steady dominance on the BET stage.
BET Awards 2026 Full Nominations
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Ella Mai — 100
Doechii — Anxiety
Mariah the Scientist — Burning Blue
Tyla — CHANEL
Teyana Taylor — Escape Room (Short Film)
Kehlani — Folded
T.I. — Let ’Em Know
Kendrick Lamar & SZA — Luther
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Am I The Drama? — Cardi B
Don’t Tap The Glass — Artist TBC
everything is a lot. — Artist TBC
Hearts Sold Separately — Artist TBC
Let God Sort Em Out — Clipse
Mutt Deluxe: Heel — Artist TBC
The Fall-Off — J. Cole
The Romantic — Artist TBC
BEST FEMALE R&B / POP ARTIST
SZA
Tems
Ari Lennox
Coco Jones
Ella Mai
Jill Scott
Kehlani
Mariah the Scientist
Olivia Dean
BEST MALE R&B / POP ARTIST
Chris Brown
Usher
Bruno Mars
Bryson Tiller
Brent Faiyaz
Giveon
Leon Thomas
October London
Durand Bernarr
BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST
Cardi B
Doja Cat
Megan Thee Stallion
Latto
GloRilla
Doechii
Coi Leray
Sexyy Red
BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST
Drake
J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar
A$AP Rocky
Baby Keem
Don Toliver
DaBaby
BigXthaPlug
T.I.
BEST GROUP
Wizkid & Asake
Nas & DJ Premier
Metro Boomin & DJ Spinz
French Montana & Max B
Clipse
De La Soul
FLO
Terrace Martin & Kenyon Dixon
41
BEST COLLABORATION
Gunna ft. Burna Boy — WGFT
Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis — Is It a Crime
Chris Brown ft. Bryson Tiller & Usher — It Depends (Remix)
Baby Keem ft. Kendrick Lamar — Good Flirts
Metro Boomin ft. Quavo, YK Niece & DJ Spinz — Take Me Thru Dere
VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD
Drake — NOKIA
Chris Brown — Residuals
Doechii — Anxiety
Dave ft. Tems — Raindance
GELO — Tweaker
Pluto & YK Niece — Whim Whamiee
BET HER AWARD
Tems — First
Beyoncé — Blackbiird
Summer Walker — Heart of a Woman
Mary J. Blige — Beautiful People
Doechii — Bloom
BEST NEW ARTIST
Leon Thomas
Mariah the Scientist
Olivia Dean
GELO
Breskii
YK Niece