COMPLETE RUNDOWN: Cardi B, Teyana Taylor, and Kendrick Lamar Steal the Show at This Year's BET Awards Ceremony

The 2026 BET Awards, which took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, saw American actress and singer Teyana Taylor and hip-hop duo Clipse emerge as the biggest winners, each taking home three awards during the ceremony hosted by comedian Druski.

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Taylor had a remarkable year, culminating in her winning Best Actress, Video Director of the Year, and the newly introduced Fashion Vanguard Award, in addition to being honoured with the prestigious Icon of the Year award.

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Clipse dominated the music categories, winning Album of the Year for Let God Sort ‘Em Out, Best Group, and Best Collaboration for their hit song “Chains & Whips,” which featured Kendrick Lamar.

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Kendrick Lamar extended his lead as the most decorated artist in the Best Male Hip Hop Artist category, winning the award for a ninth time, and also won for his collaboration with Clipse, while Kehlani claimed her first Best Female R&B/Pop Artist award and won Video of the Year for her hit song “Folded.”

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British singer Olivia Dean replicated her Grammy Awards feat by winning Best New Artist at the BET Awards, becoming only the fifth artist to achieve this milestone at both ceremonies.

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Cardi B secured her third career win in the Best Female Hip Hop Artist category, her first since winning consecutive honours in 2018 and 2019, while Leon Thomas emerged as Best Male R&B/Pop Artist for the first time.

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In the film categories, Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, won Best Movie, and Michael B. Jordan took home the Best Actor award for his performance in the film, marking his fourth win in the category.

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Music legend Ms. Lauryn Hill received the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award, and veteran music executive Sylvia Rhone was honoured with the Ultimate Icon Award.

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Sixteen-year-old journalist Jazlyn Guerra, popularly known as Jazzy’s World TV, won the YoungStars Award for her celebrity interviews and growing influence in entertainment journalism.

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The full list of winners at the 2026 BET Awards included Clipse winning Album of the Year for Let God Sort Em Out, Kehlani winning Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, and Leon Thomas winning Best Male R&B/Pop Artist.

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Other winners included Cardi B, who won Best Female Hip Hop Artist, Kendrick Lamar, who won Best Male Hip Hop Artist, and Clipse, who won Best Group and Best Collaboration for “Chains & Whips.”

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Olivia Dean won Best New Artist, while Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award went to “Headphones” by Lecrae, Killer Mike & T.I., and the BET Her Award went to “girl, get up.” by Doechii feat. SZA.

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The Viewers’ Choice Award went to “Burning Blue” by Mariah the Scientist, and Video of the Year went to “Folded” by Kehlani, with Teyana “Spike-Tey” Taylor winning Video Director of the Year.

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Teyana Taylor also won the Fashion Vanguard Award, and the Pulse Award went to Druski, while in the film and television categories, Teyana Taylor won Best Actress and Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor.

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In the sports categories, A’ja Wilson won Sportswoman of the Year, and Jalen Brunson won Sportsman of the Year, both in basketball.

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Clipse and Teyana Taylor led the pack with three awards each, followed by Kehlani and Kendrick Lamar with two awards each.

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Doja Cat, Latto, A$AP Rocky, Bruno Mars, Bryson Tiller, Chris Brown, Jill Scott, Metro Boomin, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Tems, and YK Niece were among the most nominated artists without a win, with each receiving multiple nominations.