Nigeria’s global music stars Wizkid, Asake, Burna Boy, and Tems have earned major nominations at the 2026 BET Awards.
The nominations for the upcoming edition of the annual awards were announced on Tuesday, with several Nigerian and Nigerian-descent artistes and actors recognised across music, film and television categories.
The ceremony is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 28, 2026, in Los Angeles and will be hosted by comedian Druski.
Wizkid and Asake received a joint nomination in the Best Group category following their collaborative project and a string of successful releases.
Tems emerged as one of Africa’s standout nominees, securing three nominations: Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, BET Her Award for her song First, and the Viewers’ Choice Award for Raindance, her collaboration with Dave.
Burna Boy was nominated in the Best Collaboration category for WGFT, his feature on Gunna’s hit single.
Nigerian artistes have continued to record strong performances at the BET Awards over the years. Wizkid remains one of Africa’s most decorated winners, while Burna Boy has dominated international categories with multiple wins.
Davido, Tems, 2Baba, D’banj and Ice Prince have also previously won BET honours, with Ayra Starr most recently clinching the Best International Act award in 2025.
Beyond music, actors of Nigerian descent also secured nominations in major acting categories for the 2026 edition.
Ayo Edebiri and Cynthia Erivo were nominated for Best Actress, while Damson Idris earned a nomination for Best Actor.
Their recognition highlights the growing influence of Nigerians and people of Nigerian heritage in Hollywood and global entertainment.
Cardi B led the overall nominations with six nods, followed by Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist with five each.
Other multiple nominees include Doechii, Doja Cat, Latto, Teyana Taylor and Olivia Dean.
Tyla also earned two nominations for her hit single Chanel, including Video of the Year and the Viewers’ Choice Award.
This year’s edition introduces two new categories: Fashion Vanguard Award and Pulse Award, expanding recognition into fashion, digital media and pop culture.
2026 BET AWARDS FULL LIST
BEST FEMALE R&B / POP ARTIST
Ari Lennox
Coco Jones
Ella Mai
Jill Scott
Kehlani
Mariah the Scientist
Olivia Dean
SZA
Tems
BEST MALE R&B / POP ARTIST
Brent Faiyaz
Bruno Mars
Bryson Tiller
Chris Brown
Durand Bernarr
Giveon
Leon Thomas
October London
Usher
BEST GROUP
41
Clipse
De La Soul
FLO
French Montana & Max B
Metro Boomin & DJ Spinz
Nas & DJ Premier
Terrace Martin & Kenyon Dixon
Wizkid & Asake
BEST COLLABORATION
“Chains & Whips” — Clipse ft. Kendrick Lamar
“Errtime Remix” — Cardi B ft. Jeezy & Latto
“Go Girl” — Summer Walker ft. Latto & Doja Cat
“Good Flirts” — Baby Keem ft. Kendrick Lamar & Momo Boyd
“Is It a Crime” — Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis
“It Depends (The Remix)” — Chris Brown ft. Bryson Tiller & Usher
“Take Me Thru Dere” — Metro Boomin ft. Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece & DJ Spinz
“WGFT” — Gunna ft. Burna Boy
BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST
A$AP Rocky
Baby Keem
BigXthaPlug
DaBaby
Don Toliver
Drake
J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar
T.I.
BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST
Cardi B
Coi Leray
Doechii
Doja Cat
GloRilla
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Monaleo
YK Niece
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“100” — Ella Mai
“Anxiety” — Doechii
“Burning Blue” — Mariah the Scientist
“Chanel” — Tyla
“Escape Room (Short Film)” — Teyana Taylor
“Folded” — Kehlani
“Let ’Em Know” — T.I.
“Luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
A$AP Rocky & Dan Streit
Anderson .Paak
Benny Boom
Cactus Jack
Cardi B & Patientce Foster
Cole Bennett
Director X
Hype Williams
Teyana “Spike-Tey” Taylor
BEST NEW ARTIST
Belly Gang Kushington
Destin Conrad
Jaydon
kwn
Miles Minnick
Monaleo
Olivia Dean
RAYE
Trap Dickey
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
“Am I the Drama?” — Cardi B
“Don’t Tap the Glass” — Tyler, the Creator
“Everything Is a Lot.” — Wale
“Hearts Sold Separately” — Mariah the Scientist
“Let God Sort Em Out” — Clipse
“Mutt Deluxe: Heel” — Leon Thomas
“The Fall-Off” — J. Cole
“The Romantic” — Bruno Mars
DR. BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL / INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
“Able” — Kirk Franklin
“Able (Remix)” — Darrel Walls, PJ Morton & Kim Burrell
“All To Thee” — BeBe Winans
“Already Good (Tasha Slide)” — Tasha Cobbs Leonard
“At The Cross” — CeCe Winans
“Church” — Tasha Cobbs Leonard & John Legend
“Do It Again” — Kirk Franklin
“Headphones” — Lecrae, Killer Mike & T.I.
BEST ACTRESS
Angela Bassett
Ayo Edebiri
Chase Infiniti
Coco Jones
Cynthia Erivo
Keke Palmer
Quinta Brunson
Regina Hall
Teyana Taylor
BEST ACTOR
Aaron Pierre
Aldis Hodge
Anthony Mackie
Colman Domingo
Damson Idris
Delroy Lindo
Denzel Washington
Michael B. Jordan
Sterling B. Brown
YOUNGSTARS AWARD
Daria Johns
Graceyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth
Heiress Harris
Jazzy’s World TV
Lela Hoffmeister
North West
Thaddeus J. Mixson
VanVan
BEST MOVIE
“Highest 2 Lowest”
“Him”
“Number One on the Call Sheet”
“One Battle After Another”
“Relationship Goals”
“Ruth & Boaz”
“Sinners”
“Wicked: For Good”
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
A’ja Wilson (Basketball)
Angel Reese (Basketball)
Claressa Shields (Boxing)
Coco Gauff (Tennis)
Flau’jae Johnson (Basketball)
Gabby Thomas (Track & Field)
Jordan Chiles (Gymnastics)
Naomi Osaka (Tennis)
Sha’Carri Richardson (Track & Field)
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
Aaron Judge (Baseball)
Anthony Edwards (Basketball)
Caleb Williams (Football)
Jalen Brunson (Basketball)
Jalen Hurts (Football)
LeBron James (Basketball)
Shedeur Sanders (Football)
Stephen Curry (Basketball)
BET HER AWARD
“Able (Tasha Slide)” — Tasha Cobbs Leonard
“Be Great” — Jill Scott ft. Trombone Shorty
“Beautiful People” — Jill Scott
“First” — Tems
“Girl, Get Up.” — Doechii ft. SZA
“Go Girl” — Summer Walker ft. Latto & Doja Cat
“Gorgeous” — Doja Cat
“Lady Lady” — Olivia Dean
FASHION VANGUARD AWARD
A$AP Rocky
Bad Bunny
Beyoncé
Cardi B
Colman Domingo
Doechii
Rihanna
Teyana Taylor
Zendaya
PULSE AWARD (PODCAST / MEDIA)
85 South Show
Baby, This Is Keke Palmer
Charlamagne Tha God
Don Lemon
Druski
It Is What It Is
Joe and Jada
On The Radar
R&B Money Podcast