Broadcast live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, the 2026 BET Awards lived up to its billing once again. Hosted by comedian Druski, the evening included comedy, tributes, surprise appearances, and standout performances, while recognizing some of the industry’s most accomplished figures.

Teyana Taylor became one of the night’s biggest winners, taking home four awards, including the prestigious Icon of the Year Award. Janet Jackson surprised Taylor by presenting the honor in one of the ceremony’s most emotional moments. Jackson praised Taylor’s relentless pursuit of excellence before revealing she had also earned the Fashion Vanguard Award, Video Director of the Year, and Best Actress.

Another great moment came when Ms. Lauryn Hill received the Living Legend Icon Award. Presented by Ice Cube, the honor celebrated the talented New Jersey native. Before Hill took the stage herself, the audience watched an expansive tribute featuring Alexia Jayy, Common, Doechii, Doja Cat, Lizzo, Nas, Queen Latifah, Rapsody, Selah, SZA, Tems, Tierra Whack, The War and Treaty, Zion Marley, and YG Marley. Hill then closed the ceremony with powerful performances of “Ex-Factor” and “Everything Is Everything.”

Epic Records Chairman and CEO Sylvia Rhone also received well-deserved recognition with the Ultimate Icon Award. Kelly Rowland presented the honor, celebrating Rhone’s remarkable career developing artists and helping shape generations of popular music through executive leadership. BET also introduced two new honors during this year’s ceremony. Taylor became the inaugural recipient of the aforementioned Fashion Vanguard Award, and Druski received the first-ever Pulse Award.

The night’s performances were all on point; T.I. opened the show with an energetic set that included “Top Back” and “Let ‘Em Know,” immediately setting an upbeat tone inside the Peacock Theater. Cardi B followed with “ErrTime” and “Pretty & Petty,” while Baby Keem, French Montana, Rick Ross, Tems, Kenny Iko, KWN, Max B, and Rapsody also hit the stage during the broadcast. Kehlani provided an emotional rendition of “Folded,” while Tems captivated the audience with “What You Need.”

One of the evening’s most touching segments honored the legacy of D’Angelo. Supported by longtime collaborators from The Vanguard, Ari Lennox, BJ the Chicago Kid, Durand Bernarr, George Clinton, and RAYE celebrated the singer’s remarkable catalog before welcoming D’Angelo’s children onstage for the conclusion. Later in the broadcast, the annual In Memoriam tribute honored artists and industry figures lost during the past year.

Although the 2026 BET Awards had a lot of heavy parts to it, comedy was still prevalent throughout the ceremony. Druski’s opening monologue was hilarious, and one of the biggest laughs came during a live Coulda Been Records audition featuring Durand Bernarr and Saint Harison. Martin Lawrence also made a surprise appearance before introducing Yung Miami, who later presented the BET Her Award to Doechii and SZA.

Presenters throughout the broadcast included Keke Palmer (who had a funny interaction about helming this year’s ceremony with host Druski at one point), Kelly Rowland, Nia Long, Latto, Luke James, Jacob Latimore, Marsai Martin, Jaafar Jackson, Chloe Bailey, DeRay Davis, Gail Bean, Isaiah John, Carl Anthony Payne II, Chris “Comedian CP” Powell, Diarra Kilpatrick, Deon Cole, and others.

Before the main ceremony, viewers were treated to extensive pre-show coverage through BET Awards Red Carpet Live!. Bow Wow and Rocsi Diaz hosted the Main Stage, Loren Lorosa covered fashion, Jason Lee led the Digital Stage, while Tierra Marsh and Brian McIntosh hosted the Social Stage, where several early winners were announced. BET also premiered Behind the Image: BET Awards Edition, hosted by Terrence J, followed by the television premiere of Bow Wow’s NPR Tiny Desk performance.

In the days leading into the awards, BET transformed downtown Los Angeles into a hub for interviews and content creation through BET Media House. Held June 26-27 at Hudson Loft, the invite-only activation brought together nominees, artists, executives, podcasters, radio personalities, and creators for conversations before the cameras ever rolled at the Peacock Theater. Guests including Tyla, Lucky Daye, Master P, Eva Marcille, Jozzy, Kym Whitley, Drea Nicole and Lex P of Pour Minds, Kenny Burns, and BET President Louis Carr stopped by for interviews and exclusive content.

From memorable performances and honors to candid conversations behind the scenes, BET delivered another weekend celebrating the people driving the culture forward. Check out the complete list of winners from the 2026 BET Awards below.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
“Ler God Sort Em Out” – Clipse

BEST COLLABORATION
“Chains & Whips” – Clipse, Kendrick Lamar

BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST
Kehlani

BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST
Leon Thomas

BEST NEW ARTIST
Olivia Dean

BEST GROUP
Clipse

BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST
Cardi B

BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST
Kendrick Lamar

DR. BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
“Headphones – Lecrae, Killer Mike & T.I.

BET HER AWARD
“Girl Get Up” – Doechii, SZA

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“Folded” – Kehlani

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Teyana Taylor

BEST MOVIE
“Sinners”

BEST ACTRESS
Teyana Taylor

BEST ACTOR
Michael B. Jordan

THE FASHION VANGUARD AWARD (NEW)
Teyana Taylor

THE PULSE AWARD (NEW)
Druski

YOUNGSTARS AWARD
Jazzy’s World TV

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
A’ja Wilson — Basketball

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
Jalen Brunson — Basketball

Read the original article on Essence.