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Cardi B, Kendrick Lamar, Teyana Taylor, Leon Thomas and Kehlani emerged among the biggest winners at the 2026 BET Awards, held on Sunday night.
Hosted by comedian Druski, the ceremony celebrated achievements across music, film, sports and entertainment while introducing two new award categories, as per The Hollywood Reporter. Cardi B won Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, while Kendrick Lamar was named Best Male Hip-Hop Artist. Teyana Taylor had one of the night's strongest performances, taking home the newly introduced Fashion Vanguard Award, Video Director of the Year and Best Actress. Michael B Jordan won Best Actor, while Sinners was named Best Movie. Leon Thomas received the Best Male R&B/Pop Artist award and Kehlani won Best Female R&B/Pop Artist. Doechii and SZA shared the BET Her Award for their song "girl, get up.", while Olivia Dean was named Best New Artist. The ceremony also featured emotional tributes. Erica Campbell and Le'Andria Johnson honoured music executive Clive Davis, who died last week. Later, Raye, Ari Lennox, BJ the Chicago Kid, George Clinton and Durand Bernarr paid tribute to R&B icon D'Angelo, who died last year. Ahead of the awards, Cardi B led the nominations with six mentions, followed by Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist with five each. This year's ceremony introduced the Fashion Vanguard Award, recognising a global figure with lasting cultural influence on fashion, and the Pulse Award, honouring creators or digital content that has significantly advanced Black culture online. BET also presented special honours to Teyana Taylor (Icon of the Year), Sylvia Rhone (Ultimate Icon Award) and Lauryn Hill (Living Legend Icon Award). Before accepting the Icon of the Year Award, Taylor became emotional after Janet Jackson surprised her on stage to present the honour. Calling Jackson her "biggest inspiration," Taylor said, "Everybody who knows me know how I feel about you, the fact that you even took up the time to be here to celebrate with me, this is crazy. I love you so much. Like, you don't even understand," as per The Hollywood Reporter. The ceremony concluded with a tribute to Lauryn Hill featuring performances by The War and Treaty, Tanya Blount, Doechii, SZA, Tems, Doja Cat, Nas, Lizzo, Rapsody, Queen Latifah and Hill's children before she accepted the Living Legend Icon Award. BET Awards 2026: Full list of winners Fashion Vanguard Award: Teyana TaylorPulse Award: DruskiBest Female R&B/Pop Artist: KehlaniBest Male R&B/Pop Artist: Leon ThomasBest Group: ClipseBest Collaboration: "Chains & Whips" -- Clipse & Kendrick LamarBest Male Hip-Hop Artist: Kendrick LamarBest Female Hip-Hop Artist: Cardi BVideo of the Year: "Folded" -- KehlaniVideo Director of the Year: Teyana "Spike-Tey" TaylorBest New Artist: Olivia DeanAlbum of the Year: Let God Sort Em Out -- ClipseDr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award: "Headphones" -- Lecrae, Killer Mike & T.I.Best Actress: Teyana TaylorBest Actor: Michael B. JordanYoungStars Award: Jazzy's World TVBest Movie: SinnersSportswoman of the Year: A'ja WilsonSportsman of the Year: Jalen BrunsonBET Her Award: "girl, get up.", Doechii feat. SZAViewers' Choice Award: "Burning Blue", Mariah the Scientist (ANI)
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