American actress and singer Teyana Taylor and hip-hop duo Clipse led the winners’ list at the 2026 BET Awards, claiming three awards each at the star-studded ceremony held on Sunday at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Hosted by comedian Druski and aired live on BET, the event celebrated excellence across music, film, television and sports. According to Billboard, Kendrick Lamar and Kehlani were among the night’s other standout performers, earning two awards each.
Taylor enjoyed one of the most successful nights of her career, collecting the Best Actress award, Video Director of the Year and the newly established Fashion Vanguard Award.
She was also recognised with the prestigious Icon of the Year honour, one of the ceremony’s special recognition awards.
Clipse emerged as the dominant force in the music categories, securing Album of the Year for Let God Sort ‘Em Out, Best Group and Best Collaboration for “Chains & Whips,” their joint effort with Kendrick Lamar.
Lamar further cemented his status as one of the BET Awards’ most successful artists, claiming Best Male Hip Hop Artist for a record-extending ninth time. His collaboration with Clipse also contributed to his second award of the evening.
Kehlani ended SZA’s three-year dominance in the Best Female R&B/Pop Artist category by taking home the award for the first time. She also earned Video of the Year honours for her hit single “Folded.”
British singer Olivia Dean continued her impressive rise by winning Best New Artist, adding the BET award to her earlier Grammy triumph in the same category.
The achievement made her only the fifth artist to capture the honour at both award shows.
Cardi B was named Best Female Hip Hop Artist, marking her third victory in the category and her first since back-to-back wins in 2018 and 2019.
Leon Thomas secured his maiden BET Award as Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, overcoming competition from former winners Chris Brown, Usher and Bruno Mars.
In the film categories, Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, was named Best Movie, while Michael B. Jordan earned Best Actor for his role in the film, collecting his fourth career win in the category.
The ceremony also paid tribute to industry trailblazers. Music icon Ms. Lauryn Hill received the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award, while veteran record executive Sylvia Rhone was honoured with the Ultimate Icon Award.
Young journalist Jazlyn Guerra, widely recognised through Jazzy’s World TV, claimed the YoungStars Award in recognition of her celebrity interviews and growing impact in entertainment media.
2026 BET Awards Winners
Music
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 & Kendrick Lamar
Best New Artist – Olivia Dean
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award – “Headphones” — Lecrae, Killer Mike & T.I.
BET Her Award – “girl, get up.” — Doechii feat. SZA
Viewers’ Choice Award – “Burning Blue” — Mariah the Scientist
Video of the Year – “Folded” — Kehlani
Video Director of the Year – Teyana “Spike-Tey” Taylor
General Awards
Fashion Vanguard Award – Teyana Taylor
The Pulse Award – Druski
Film and Television
Best Movie – Sinners
Best Actress – Teyana Taylor
Best Actor – Michael B. Jordan
YoungStars Award – Jazzy’s World TV
Sports
Sportswoman of the Year – A’ja Wilson (Basketball)
Sportsman of the Year – Jalen Brunson (Basketball)
Most Awards Won
Clipse – 3
Teyana Taylor – 3
Kehlani – 2
Kendrick Lamar – 2
Most Nominations Without a Win
Doja Cat – 4
Latto – 4
A$AP Rocky – 3
Bruno Mars – 3
Bryson Tiller – 3
Chris Brown – 3
Jill Scott – 3
Metro Boomin – 3
Tasha Cobbs Leonard – 3
Tems – 3
YK Niece – 3
