Hollywood actress and singer Teyana Taylor and hip-hop duo Clipse emerged as the biggest winners at the 2026 BET Awards, taking home three awards each during the ceremony held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday.
According to a Billboard post, comedian Druski hosted the event, which was televised live on BET. Kendrick Lamar and Kehlani each received two awards.
Taylor rounded out a great year by receiving Best Actress, Video Director of the Year, and the newly added Fashion Vanguard Award. She was also honored with the prestigious Icon of the Year award, one of three honorary recognitions given at the occasion.
Clipse dominated the music awards, earning Album of the Year for Let God Sort ‘Em Out, Best Group, and Best Collaboration for “Chains & Whips,” their smash with Kendrick Lamar.
Lamar increased his outstanding BET Awards record by winning Best Male Hip Hop Artist for the tenth time, extending his lead as the most decorated artist in the category.
Kehlani earned her first Best Female R&B/Pop Artist title, breaking SZA’s three-year hegemony in the category, and also won Video of the Year for her hit song “Folded.”
Olivia Dean, a British singer who had won Best New performer at the Grammy Awards, repeated the feat at the BET Awards, becoming only the fifth performer to win the title at both occasions.
Cardi B won the Best Female Hip Hop Artist award for the third time in her career, and the first since winning consecutively in 2018 and 2019.
Leon Thomas won Best Male R&B/Pop Artist for the first time, defeating previous winners Chris Brown, Usher, and Bruno Mars.
Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, won Best Movie, while Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for his portrayal in the picture, marking his fourth win in the category.
Ms. Lauryn Hill was honored with the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award, while veteran music executive Sylvia Rhone received the Ultimate Icon Award.
Jazzy’s World TV, a 16-year-old journalist, won the YoungStars Award for her celebrity interviews and growing influence in entertainment journalism.
Full List of Winners at the 2026 BET Awards
Music Categories
- 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 Categories
- 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 Categories
- Sportswoman of the Year – A’ja Wilson (Basketball)
- Sportsman of the Year – Jalen Brunson (Basketball)
Artists With the Most Wins
- Clipse – 3 awards
- Teyana Taylor – 3 awards
- Kehlani – 2 awards
- Kendrick Lamar – 2 awards
Most Nominated Without a Win
- Doja Cat – 4 nominations
- Latto – 4 nominations
- A$AP Rocky – 3 nominations
- Bruno Mars – 3 nominations
- Bryson Tiller – 3 nominations
- Chris Brown – 3 nominations
- Jill Scott – 3 nominations
- Metro Boomin – 3 nominations
- Tasha Cobbs Leonard – 3 nominations
- Tems – 3 nominations
- YK Niece – 3 nominations.
