Cardi B leads the 2026 BET awards nominations with six major nods

The 2026 BET Awards are set to celebrate excellence across music, television, film, sports, and entertainment,

The 2026 BET Awards are set to celebrate excellence across music, television, film, sports, and entertainment, with rapper Cardi B emerging as this year’s most nominated artist. The annual awards ceremony, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, recognizes outstanding achievements by Black entertainers and creatives from around the world.

Cardi B earned six nominations, making her the biggest contender of the night. Her highly successful sophomore album, Am I the Drama?, received widespread recognition, including a nomination for Album of the Year. She also secured nominations for Best Female Hip Hop Artis and Best Collaboration, further highlighting her continued influence in the music industry. Alongside her impressive list of nominations, Cardi B delivered one of the evening’s most anticipated live performances, captivating the audience with her signature energy and stage presence.

In addition to her music-related honors, Cardi B was also nominated for the newly introduced Fashion Vanguard Award, joining an elite lineup that includes Beyoncé, Rihanna, Zendaya, Bad Bunny, Doechii, A$AP Rocky, Teyana Taylor, and Colman Domingo. The award recognizes artists and celebrities who have made a significant impact on fashion and style.

The Album of the Year category features a competitive list of nominees, including DON’T TAP THE GLASS by Tyler, the Creator, Everything is a Lot by Wale, HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY by Mariah the Scientist, Let God Sort Em Out by Clipse, MUTT Deluxe: HEEL by Leon Thomas, The Fall-Off by J. Cole, and The Romantic by Bruno Mars.

The Best Female Hip Hop Artist category also includes Coi Leray, Doechii, Doja Cat, GloRilla, Latto, Megan Thee Stallion, Monaleo, and YK Niece, while the Best Male Hip Hop Artist nominees feature Kendrick Lamar, Drake, J. Cole, A$AP Rocky, Baby Keem, BigXthaPlug, DaBaby, Don Toliver, and T.I.

R&B talent is equally well represented. The nominees for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist include Ari Lennox, Coco Jones, Ella Mai, Jill Scott, Kehlani, Mariah the Scientist, Olivia Dean, SZA, and Tems. Competing in the Best Male R&B/Pop Artist category are Brent Faiyaz, Bruno Mars, Bryson Tiller, Chris Brown, Durand Bernarr, GIVĒON, Leon Thomas, October London, and Usher.

The Best Collaboration category showcases several major musical partnerships, including Cardi B’s “Errtime Remix” featuring Jeezy and Latto, Clipse and Kendrick Lamar’s “Chains & Whips,” and collaborations involving Summer Walker, Doja Cat, Chris Brown, Bryson Tiller, Usher, Gunna, Burna Boy, and Metro Boomin.

Beyond music, the BET Awards recognize achievements in acting, film, and sports. The Best Movie category includes Highest 2 Lowest, Sinners, Wicked: For Good, Relationship Goals, and several other acclaimed productions. The Best Actress nominees feature Angela Bassett, Cynthia Erivo, Keke Palmer, Quinta Brunson, Regina Hall, and Teyana Taylor, while Best Actor contenders include Denzel Washington, Michael B. Jordan, Anthony Mackie, Colman Domingo, Aaron Pierre, and Sterling K. Brown.

Sports stars are also celebrated, with Sportswoman of the Year nominees including A’ja Wilson, Angel Reese, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, Sha’Carri Richardson, Jordan Chiles, Claressa Shields, Flau’jae Johnson, and Gabby Thomas. The Sportsman of the Year category features LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Aaron Judge, Jalen Hurts, Anthony Edwards, Caleb Williams, Jalen Brunson, and Shedeur Sanders.

The 2026 BET Awards promise an unforgettable evening of entertainment, honoring outstanding achievements across multiple industries while showcasing memorable performances from some of today’s biggest stars. With Cardi B leading the nominations and delivering one of the night’s headline performances, the ceremony is expected to be one of the year’s most talked-about entertainment events.