Hosted by Billboard cover star Druski and anchored by star-studded tributes to Ms. Lauryn Hill and the late D’Angelo, the 2026 BET Awards absolutely rocked Los Angeles’ Peacock Theatre on Sunday night (June 28).
A wide range of performers lit up the night, including R&B sensations (Kehlani, Tems, kwn), hip-hop superstars (Cardi B, Don Toliver, Baby Keem, T.I.), and British powerhouse RAYE.
Lauryn Hill, who was honored with the Living Legend Icon Award, received a sprawling tribute comprised of some of contemporary music’s biggest stars and her own musician children, including Selah, YG and Zion Marley, who provided a strong reggae backbone for the whole affair. The War and Treaty, which includes Sister Act 2 actress Tanya Trotter, kicked off the tribute with a rousing performance of “Joyful, Joyful,” threading together the gospel and thespian throughlines that ground much of Ms. Hill’s oeuvre. Doja Cat and Nas delivered a cross-generational rendition of “If I Ruled the World,” Lizzo and Rapsody joined forces for the classic “Doo Wop (That Thing)” and Common and Queen Latifah rocked the theater with “Lost Ones.”
D’Angelo also received a terrific tribute. The Vanguard, his illustrious backing band, reunited to support a lineup of stellar vocalists, including RAYE, George Clinton, Ari Lennox, Isaiah Sharley, BJ the Chicago Kid and Durnad Bernarr, who stole the show with a killer rendition of “S—t, Damn, Motherf—er.”
The night’s most-nominated artist, Cardi B (six), took home a new best female hip-hop artist trophy, marking her third win in the category. Teyana Taylor and Clipse swept the ceremony with three wins each. The One Battle After Another star won best actress, video director of the year, and the newly-established fashion vanguard award, in addition to her honorary Icon of the Year Award, while the Virginia-hailing brother duo took home best group, best collaboration (for their Kendrick Lamar-assisted “Chains & Whips”) and album of the year (Let God Sort Em Out). Pusha T and Malice might not have been in attendance, but Taylor picked up her trophies from none other than Janet Jackson.
Another music industry titan was honored with a special award: culture-shaping record executive Sylvia Rhone, who received the Ultimate Icon Award, presented by Kelly Rowland, for her indelible impact on contemporary Black music and the music industry at large.
Outside of music, Sinners won best movie, Michael B. Jackson picked up best actor and New York Knicks 2026 NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson was named sportsman of the year.
Viewers at home were treated to a (surprisingly and relatively) succinct show, but those cameras didn’t tell the full story. Here are the seven best 2026 BET Awards Moments you may not have seen on television.
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Not One, But Two Surprise Lauryn Hill Performances
From Queen Latifah and Common to Lizzo and Rapsody and even her children, Selah, YG and Zion Marley, Lauryn Hill’s Living Legend Icon Award tribute performance was one for the books. But the celebration didn’t stop there! Ms. Hill returned to the stage to close out the show with two moving, separate performances of “Ex-Factor” and “Everything Is Everything.”
To be clear, these were genuine surprise performances. Jill Scott, who was previously announced as a performer, did not make it to the ceremony. Billboard hears she was meant to close out the tribute medley with “Ex-Factor,” but was not able to do so after being put on vocal rest. Nonetheless, Ms. Hill took the reins and led a massive sing-along for one of her most beloved tracks. That’s how you put the “living” in Living Legend Icon Award.
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Tamia Shuffle Clogs Aisles
During every commercial break, seat fillers are whisked to their next assignment, while celebrities get up to mingle and head backstage and other attendees enjoy the vibes at culture’s biggest night. During one commercial break, the DJ dropped Tamia’s “Can’t Get Enough,” which spurred several people to begin leading the Tamia Shuffle line dance in the aisles — the one time the walkways almost didn’t get cleared in time for the ceremony to return to the air.
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Keke Palmer (Kinda) Teases 2027 Hosting Gig
Could Keke Palmer be hosting the 2027 BET Awards?
During one particularly funny Druski segment, Keke Palmer snatched the mic from him, quipping: “You’re doing too much. This should’ve been my gig! Why the hell would they have you host? This is the problem with BET!”
Though she was obviously joking, the crowd roared in support; you could see people applauding and cheering behind Keke on the telecast, but those shots don’t do justice to the rows of audience members absolutely losing their minds. That bit probably got a slightly stronger reaction than any of its participants anticipated, but that’s what true comedy does. And who knows? Maybe Keke’s playful call-out really will translate into a hosting gig for next year!
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Gaggle of Celebs Miss Show Opening
Every year, the BET Awards red carpet closes right when the main ceremony begins — and every year, the traffic jam outside of the entrance to the theater is a nightmare. This year, a crowd including Too $hort, The Breakfast Club co-host Loren LoRosa, Beauty in Black stars Julian Horton and Terrell Carter and One Battle After Another breakout Chase Infiniti, found themselves huddled together, waiting for the first commercial break, and missing opening performances by Kehlani and T.I. Several stars were understandably annoyed — people still can’t get enough of “Folded!”
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Janet Jackson’s Unmatchable Aura
When Janet Jackson appeared onstage to present Teyana Taylor her Icon of the Year Award, it was as if the air completely left the room. As the crowd realized who was on stage, people leapt to their feet, whipping out phones and letting out guttural, fanned-out screams as she sauntered towards the microphone. Before she even began her speech for Teyana, Janet’s sheer energy and presence completely engulfed the room.
Because the entire room was standing, a few people were blocking Janet’s line of sight to the teleprompter, and when she asked them to take a seat, entire rows, nowhere near the prompter, almost sat out of pure respect. Now, that’s an icon!
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RAYE Courts Early Standing Ovation from Finicky Crowd
This year’s BET Awards ceremony wasn’t the liveliest — especially when it came to names they were less familiar with. Naturally, that was just fuel for RAYE to ace her BET Awards stage debut. Delivering yet another roof-raising performance of “Nightingale Lane,” a standout ballad from her excellent This Music May Contain Hope LP, RAYE brought her signature barefoot vocal acrobatics to the Peacock Theater, prompting several sections of the audience to leap to their feet well before that seemingly eternal final belt. Between her solo set and her contributions to the D’Angelo tribute, it’s probably fair to say that RAYE will be invited back for many more BET Awards ceremonies to come.
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Yung Miami’s ‘Spend Dat’ Continues Its Dominance
From the Joe & Jada podcast to the New York Knicks locker room celebrations, Yung Miami’s “Spend Dat” has been steadily taking over the culture — and the 2026 BET Awards were no different. When Miami strutted onstage to present the BET Her Award, which ultimately went to Doechii and SZA for “Girl, Get Up,” the DJ dropped “Spend Dat.” Even though the volume started to drop after the first two lines, the audience understood the assignment, rapping the entire hook in unison. Simply put: no 2026 song had that effect on Sunday night. Houston, we may have an official song of the summer!
