Elevated experiences celebrating the culture through dance and rhythm
Elevated experiences celebrating the culture through dance and rhythm
The 2026 BET Awards wrapped up Sunday night with an impressive celebration of Black excellence across music, film, television, and sports. The star-studded ceremony, which honored achievements in over 20 competitive categories, showcased both established icons and emerging voices shaping contemporary culture—including notable representation from Africa’s vibrant music scene.
African artists made their presence felt throughout the nominations, with Nigerian superstars Tems and Burna Boy, South Africa’s Tyla, and the dynamic Nigerian duo Wizkid & Asake earning recognition among global competitors. Tems received a nomination in the Best Female R&B/Pop Artist category alongside powerhouses like SZA, Kehlani, and Coco Jones, while also appearing in the Viewers’ Choice Award category for her collaboration with Dave on “Raindance.” Tyla’s sultry visual for “Chanel” competed for Video of the Year, and Wizkid & Asake’s collaborative efforts earned them a Best Group nomination. Burna Boy’s feature on Gunna’s “wgft” further demonstrated the seamless integration of Afrobeats into mainstream hip-hop.
The night’s biggest winners included hip-hop legend Kendrick Lamar taking home Best Male Hip Hop Artist, while Cardi B secured Best Female Hip Hop Artist. Clipse dominated with wins for both Best Group and Album of the Year for “Let God Sort Em Out,” with their track “Chains & Whips” featuring Kendrick Lamar also winning Best Collaboration. Teyana Taylor had a phenomenal evening, claiming Fashion Vanguard Award, Video Director of the Year, Video of the Year for “Escape Room (Short Film),” and Best Actress. Other major winners included Kehlani (Best Female R&B/Pop Artist), Leon Thomas (Best Male R&B/Pop Artist), and British songstress Olivia Dean, who won both Best New Artist and the Viewers’ Choice Award for “Man I Need.”
The ceremony introduced two new categories this year: the Fashion Vanguard Award and The Pulse Award, with Teyana Taylor and internet personality Druski taking home the inaugural honors respectively. From Michael B. Jordan’s Best Actor win to A’ja Wilson and Jalen Hurts claiming the top sports honors, the 2026 BET Awards once again proved its position as a premier platform celebrating Black creativity and achievement across every entertainment sector.
Stay connected with Afrobeat San Diego for the latest in global Afrobeats.
Get notified of the best deals on our shop and afrobeats latest events
