BET Awards 2026: Teyana Taylor and Clipse Biggest Winners in Los Angeles

The 2026 BET Awards took place on Sunday, June 28 at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, with comedian and Billboard cover star Druski hosting the evening. The ceremony, which annually celebrates outstanding achievements in Black music, film and sports, ran about three and a half hours and was packed with performances and tributes.

The biggest winners of the night were Teyana Taylor and Clipse, each taking home three trophies. Taylor won Best Actress for her role in One Battle After Another, Video Director of the Year, and the newly introduced Fashion Vanguard Award. On top of that, she received the Icon of the Year Award, presented to her by none other than Janet Jackson. "I will wear this title loud and proud," Taylor said during the ceremony. Clipse, the Virginia duo made up of brothers Pusha T and Malice, were not there in person but still walked away with Album of the Year for Let God Sort Em Out, Best Group, and Best Collaboration for "Chains and Whips" featuring Kendrick Lamar. Kendrick Lamar himself also won two awards, as did Kehlani, who took home Best Female R&B/Pop Artist. Cardi B, the most nominated artist of the night with six nominations, picked up Best Female Hip Hop Artist, her third win in that category. Leon Thomas won Best Male R&B/Pop Artist for the first time, and Olivia Dean went home with Best New Artist.

The emotional highlight of the evening was the tribute to Lauryn Hill, who received the Living Legend Icon Award, the first time this new honor has ever been given out. Ice Cube introduced the extended tribute segment and spoke at length about Hill's influence on the culture. An impressive lineup of artists drew from her rich catalog, including songs from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, the Fugees' The Score, and more. SZA and Doechii performed the Fugees classic "Ready or Not," Tierra Whack and Tems brought "Fu Gee La," and Doja Cat performed twice: first with "Superstar," then in a cross generational duet with Nas on "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)." The War and Treaty, whose member Tanya Trotter is known as an actress from Sister Act 2, set the tone with a gospel tinged rendition of "Joyful, Joyful." Hill's own children Selah, YG Marley and Zion Marley provided a reggae foundation, while Lizzo and Rapsody performed "Doo Wop (That Thing)" together and Common and Queen Latifah brought the house down with "Lost Ones."

After a commercial break, Lauryn Hill herself stepped onto the stage unexpectedly. "I wasn't even supposed to perform, but I heard somebody wasn't doing this song," she said, before launching into "Ex Factor" backed by a live band. According to reports, Jill Scott had been set to close out the tribute medley with that song, but Hill took matters into her own hands and led the entire room in a massive singalong. She closed things out with a performance of "Everything Is Everything." During her acceptance speech she shared: "I do this because I want y'all to have everything that I experienced. I had wonderful parents who loved on me, poured into me, and protected me. Once I realized that not everybody got to have that experience, I felt like it was my duty, my responsibility to share as much love and pour into people as music as I possibly could, and music was a way to do that."

The late soul legend D'Angelo was also given an extensive tribute. His celebrated backing band The Vanguard reunited especially for the occasion and accompanied an impressive lineup of vocalists including RAYE, George Clinton, Ari Lennox, BJ the Chicago Kid and Durand Bernarr, who stole the show with his performance of "Shit, Damn, Motherfucker." RAYE, making her BET Awards debut, also performed her own song "Nightingale Lane." Earlier this year, Lauryn Hill had already performed at the 2026 Grammy Awards, where she paid tribute to the late D'Angelo and Roberta Flack.

Another honoree of the evening was music industry icon Sylvia Rhone, who received the Ultimate Icon Award for her defining influence on the Black music industry. Kelly Rowland presented her with the award. Outside of music, the film Sinners won Best Movie, Michael B. Jordan was named Best Actor, and New York Knicks NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson received Sportsman of the Year.