African Artists Shut Out at 2026 BET Awards
The 2026 BET Awards ended without a single African winner, as top Nigerian stars Tems, Burna Boy, Wizkid, and South African sensation Tyla all missed out on trophies. The ceremony, held Sunday night at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles and hosted by comedian Druski for the first time, saw Cardi B enter as the most-nominated artist with six nods, trailing only Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist.
Big Winners of the Night
Clipse and Teyana Taylor emerged as the night's biggest winners, each taking home three competitive awards. Cardi B won Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, while Kendrick Lamar won Best Male Hip-Hop Artist. Kehlani won Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, and Leon Thomas won Best Male R&B/Pop Artist. Clipse also won Best Group and Best Collaboration for 'Chains & Whips' featuring Kendrick Lamar.
African Nominees and Their Categories
Tems, who also performed during the ceremony, had three nominations: Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, BET Her for 'First,' and Viewers' Choice for 'Raindance' with Dave. She lost all three. Burna Boy was nominated for Best Collaboration through 'wgft' with Gunna. Wizkid and Asake received a Best Group nomination. Tyla was featured in Video of the Year for 'Chanel.' None of them won.
Full List of Music Category Winners
Album of the Year: Winner: Let God Sort Em Out — Clipse. Other nominees: AM I THE DRAMA? — Cardi B, DON'T TAP THE GLASS — Tyler, the Creator, everything is a lot. — Wale, HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY — Mariah the Scientist, MUTT Deluxe: HEEL — Leon Thomas, The Fall-Off — J. Cole, The Romantic — Bruno Mars.
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist: Winner: Kehlani. Nominees: Ari Lennox, Coco Jones, Ella Mai, Jill Scott, Mariah the Scientist, Olivia Dean, SZA, Tems.
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist: Winner: Leon Thomas. Nominees: Brent Faiyaz, Bruno Mars, Bryson Tiller, Chris Brown, Durand Bernarr, GIVĒON, October London, Usher.
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist: Winner: Cardi B. Nominees: Coi Leray, Doechii, Doja Cat, GloRilla, Latto, Megan Thee Stallion, Monaleo, YK Niece.
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist: Winner: Kendrick Lamar. Nominees: A$AP Rocky, Baby Keem, BigXthaPlug, DaBaby, Don Toliver, Drake, J. Cole, T.I.
Best Group: Winner: Clipse. Nominees: 41, De La Soul, FLO, French Montana & Max B, Metro Boomin & DJ Spinz, Nas & DJ Premier, Terrace Martin & Kenyon Dixon, Wizkid & Asake.
Best Collaboration: Winner: 'Chains & Whips' — Clipse & Kendrick Lamar. Nominees: 'Errtime Remix' — Cardi B feat. Jeezy & Latto, 'Go Girl' — Summer Walker feat. Latto & Doja Cat, 'Good Flirts' — Baby Keem feat. Kendrick Lamar & Momo Boyd, 'Is It a Crime' — Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis, 'It Depends (The Remix)' — Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller & Usher, 'Take Me Thru Dere' — Metro Boomin feat. Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece & DJ Spinz, 'wgft' — Gunna feat. Burna Boy.
Best New Artist: Winner: Olivia Dean. Nominees: Belly Gang Kushington, DESTIN CONRAD, JayDon, kwn, Miles Minnick, Monaleo, RAYE, Trap Dickey.
Dr Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award: Winner: 'Headphones' — Lecrae, Killer Mike & T.I. Nominees: 'Able' — Kirk Franklin, 'ABLE (REMIX)' — Darrel Walls, PJ Morton & Kim Burrell, 'All to Thee' — BeBe Winans, 'Already Good (Tasha Slide)' — Tasha Cobbs Leonard, 'At the Cross' — CeCe Winans, 'Church' — Tasha Cobbs Leonard & John Legend, 'Do It Again' — Kirk Franklin.
BET Her: Winner: 'girl, get up.' — Doechii feat. SZA. Nominees: 'Already Good (Tasha Slide)' — Tasha Cobbs Leonard, 'Be Great' — Jill Scott feat. Trombone Shorty, 'Beautiful People' — Jill Scott, 'First' — Tems, 'Go Girl' — Summer Walker feat. Latto & Doja Cat, 'Gorgeous' — Doja Cat, 'Lady Lady' — Olivia Dean.
Viewers Choice: Winner: 'Burning Blue' — Mariah the Scientist. Nominees: 'Chains & Whips' — Clipse feat. Kendrick Lamar, 'Chanel' — Tyla, 'Folded' — Kehlani, 'I Just Might' — Bruno Mars, 'It Depends' — Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller, 'Man I Need' — Olivia Dean, 'Outside' — Cardi B, 'Raindance' — Dave & Tems, 'Take Me Thru Dere' — Metro Boomin feat. Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece & DJ Spinz.
Video of the Year: Winner: 'Folded' — Kehlani. Nominees: '100' — Ella Mai, 'Anxiety' — Doechii, 'Burning Blue' — Mariah the Scientist, 'Chanel' — Tyla, 'Escape Room (Short Film)' — Teyana Taylor, 'LET 'EM KNOW' — T.I., 'luther' — Kendrick Lamar & SZA.
Video Director of the Year: Winner: Teyana 'Spike-Tey' Taylor. Nominees: A$AP Rocky & Dan Streit, Anderson .Paak, Benny Boom, Cactus Jack, Cardi B & Patience Foster, Cole Bennett, Director X, Hype Williams.
