The “BET Awards” 2026 nominations are in, with Cardi B leading the nominations with six, Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist tying with five nominations, and Doechii, Doja Cat, Clipse, Teyana Taylor, Olivia Dean and Latto earning four nominations each. A$AP Rocky, Bruno Mars, Bryson Tiller, Chris Brown, Jill Scott, Kehlani, Metro Boomin, SZA, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, T.I. and YK Niece receive three nominations each.
Nominations were selected by the BET Voting Academy, which is comprised of an esteemed group of entertainment professionals and influencers in the fields of music, media, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations, and creative arts.
Cardi B holds the top spot with six “BET Awards” 2026 nominations. Her nominations include ‘The Fashion Vanguard Award’, ‘Best Collaboration’ for “Errtime Remix” feat. Jeezy and Latto, ‘Best Female Hip Hop Artist’, Video Director of the Year’ with Patientce Foster, ‘Album of the Year’ for AM I THE DRAMA? and ‘Viewers’ Choice’ for “Outside”.
Kendrick Lamar’s five nominations include ‘Best Collaboration’ for “Chains & Whips” with Clipse, ‘Best Collaboration’ for “Good Flirts” with Baby Keem & Momo Boyd, ‘Best Male Hip Hop Artist’, ‘Video of the Year’ for “luther” with SZA and ‘Viewers’ Choice’ for “Chains & Whips” with Clipse.
Mariah the Scientist’s five nominations include ‘Best Female R&B/Pop Artist’, ‘Best Collaboration’ for “Is It a Crime” with Kali Uchis, ‘Video of the Year’ for “Burning Blue”, ‘Album of the Year’ for HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY and ‘Viewers’ Choice’ for “Burning Blue”.
Doechii’s four nominations include ‘The Fashion Vanguard Award’, ‘Best Female Hip Hop Artist’, ‘Video of the Year’ for “Anxiety”, and ‘BET Her’ for “girl, get up.” feat. SZA.
Doja Cat’s four nominations include ‘Best Collaboration’ for “Go Girl” with Summer Walker feat. Latto, ‘Best Female Hip Hop Artist’, and two ‘BET Her’ nominations for “Go Girl” with Summer Walker feat. Latto and “Gorgeous”.
Clipse’s four nominations include ‘Best Group’, ‘Best Collaboration’ for “Chains and Whips” with Kendrick Lamar, ‘Album of the Year’ for Let God Sort Em Out and ‘Viewers’ Choice’ for “Chains & Whips” with Kendrick Lamar.
Teyana Taylor’s four nominations include ‘The Fashion Vanguard Award’, ‘Video of the Year’ for “Escape Room (Short Film)”, ‘Video Director of the Year’ and ‘Best Actress’.
Olivia Dean’s four nominations include ‘Best Female R&B/Pop Artist’, ‘Best New Artist’, ‘BET Her’ for “Lady Lady” and ‘Viewers’ Choice’ for “Man I Need”.
Latto’s four nominations include ‘Best Female Hip Hop Artist’, ‘Best Collaboration’ for “Errtime Remix” with Cardi B & Jeezy, ‘Best Collaboration’ for “Go Girl” with Summer Walker & Doja Cat, and ‘BET Her’ for “Go Girl” with Summer Walker & Doja Cat.
A$AP Rocky, Bruno Mars, Bryson Tiller, Chris Brown, Jill Scott, Kehlani, Metro Boomin, SZA, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, T.I. and YK Niece earned three nominations each.
BET is also adding two new categories to the “BET Awards” 2026 line up: ‘Fashion Vanguard Award’ and ‘Pulse Award’. ‘Fashion Vanguard Award’ will recognize a global figure whose fashion presence has had long-standing cultural impact, has significantly influenced style narratives, and continues to elevate fashion as a form of storytelling across music, film, sports, and public life. This year’s nominees include: A$AP Rocky, Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Cardi B, Colman Domingo, Doechii, Rihanna, Teyana Taylor and Zendaya.
‘Pulse Award’ will recognize a creator, campaign, or content series that most powerfully moved Black culture forward in digital spaces by sparking conversation, building community, and defining the moment online. This award celebrates the intersection of creativity, authenticity, and cultural impact across social media, streaming, podcasting, and beyond. This year’s nominees include: 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 and R&B Money Podcast.
“All of our nominees represent the very best of Black culture across music, film, sports, and beyond, and with the introduction of the Fashion Vanguard Award and the Pulse Award, we’re proud to honor even more of the ways our culture continues to show up and evolve,” said Connie Orlando, EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET.
Connie Orlando, EVP of Specials, Music Programming and Music Strategy, serves as Executive Producer for “BET Awards” 2026. Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company for the show, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serving as Executive Producers.
