Best Performances at the 2026 BET Awards, Ranked

The New York duo brought some Gotham flavor to L.A. with their hit “Ever You Since You Left Me.” The song’s bounce and infectious sample kept the crowd engaged. Halfway through, Rick Ross emerged alongside the rap tandem for “Minks,” but the momentum cooled ever so slightly.

The Vegas showman was suited and booted for his rapid-fire three-song medley. Donning a maroon-colored suit, Keem deftly breezed through “Circus Circus Freestyle” and “Dramatic Girl” before bringing in his  “Good Flirts” co-star Momo Boyd for their top 40 Billboard Hot 100 record. Known as an action-packed performer, Keem’s set felt shorter and tamer than usual.

Despite his hectic tour schedule, hip-hop’s mad scientist Don Toliver freed up some time and brought his hip-hop missile “E-85” to the BET Awards. While the stage design featured a sleek, futuristic aesthetic, Don’s smooth pivot into the guitar-laden “Body” was a nice cherry on top.

To kick off the festivities, T.I. made a spectacular entrance, emerging from a massive crown centerpiece to the booming sounds of “Top Back.” The transition was seamless as he rolled into his Hot 100 top 40 hit “Let Em Know.” It was a family affair, with his son King behind the wheel, pushing the pedal to the metal while his father flaunted his Hall of Fame-caliber flow in front of an army of dancers decked out in Braves caps.

Sometimes simple is best, as Tems didn’t need any theatrics to win viewers over. Clad in white, Tems’ angelic voice was a slice of heaven, making “What You Need” even more mesmerizing with the help of her band and background singers.

In case you missed Cardi B’s Little Miss Drama Tour this year, she delivered a bite-sized version in under four minutes. Motorcycles, stripper poles and razor-sharp choreography took center stage as Cardi tore through Am I the Drama? standouts “Errtime,” “Hello,” “Check Please” and the BIA-targeted “Petty AF.” The latter not only highlighted Cardi’s vengeful streak, but also her comedic wit, as she mocked her onetime adversary with the one thing Bia has yet to win: a BET Award.

Kehlani’s undefeated streak of riveting performances of “Folded” remained intact with her showing Sunday night. Introduced by Jamie Foxx and his daughter Analise Bishop, who handled the keys and guitar, respectively, Kehlani once again dazzled with her soaring vocals, backed by a full orchestra.

A plethora of superstars paid homage to D’Angelo. Anchored by his revered band, The Vanguard, Ari Lennox kicked things off with her take on “Really Love,” before RAYE pulled double duty with “Spanish Joint.” With George Clinton entering the fray, Durand Bernarr tagged in for a passionate rendition of “Shit, Damn, Mother—-er,” while BJ The Chicago Kid put his own spin on “Devil’s Pie,” capping off a fitting tribute to the late R&B icon.

For her first-ever BET Awards performance, RAYE enjoyed a splashy debut. Imbued with soul, the U.K. singer delivered an entrancing rendition of “Nightingale Lane,” flexing her vocal elasticity with breathtaking ease and ultimately earning rave applause from Kehlani, Teyana Taylor and Queen Latifah.

What made this honor special? The dream pairings. Nas and Doja Cat on “If I Ruled the World.” SZA and Doechii for “Ready or Not.” Tems and Tierra Whack on “Fu-Gee-La.” Lizzo and Rapsody tackling “Doo Wop (That Thing).” Common and Queen Latifah on “Lost Ones.” The War and Treaty traveled back to 1993 for “Joyful, Joyful,” while Lauryn’s children — Selah, YG and Zion — paid tribute to their mother with heartfelt solo moments. It wasn’t just a family affair but a cultural one, as even the icon gathered herself and mesmerized fans with performances of “Ex-Factor” and “Everything Is Everything” to close out the show.