Cardi B, Kendrick Lamar & Mariah The Scientist Lead 2026 BET Awards Nominations
The nominations for the 2026 BET Awards are officially here, and some of the biggest names in music are leading the list. The 2026 BET Awards will air live on Saturday, June 28, and the event will once again celebrate achievements in music, film, sports, fashion, and entertainment. The 2026 event will be hosted by comedian Druski.
According to the full nominations released earlier today, Cardi B leads all artists with six nominations. Right behind her are Kendrick Lamar and Mariah The Scientist, who both earned five nominations each.
Cardi B received nominations in major categories, including Album of the Year, Best Female Hip Hop Artist, Best Collaboration, and Viewers’ Choice. Her album “AM I THE DRAMA?” is also competing for Album of the Year against projects from artists like J. Cole, Tyler, The Creator, Clipse, and Mariah The Scientist.
(1/2) Some albums you play once. These you live in. Every track, every listen, hits harder than the last. The nominees for Album of the Year are…
Catch the #BETAwards — Sunday, June 28th. pic.twitter.com/6tpBCjudrp
— BET (@BET) May 19, 2026
Kendrick Lamar also had a strong showing this year with nominations in categories like Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Video of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Viewers’ Choice. His collaboration “Chains & Whips” with Clipse and his song “luther” with SZA are both nominated.
Mariah The Scientist continues her breakout success with nominations for Album of the Year, Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Video of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Viewers’ Choice. Her song “Burning Blue” especially received major recognition this year.
Other artists with multiple nominations include Latto, Doechii, Teyana Taylor, and Clipse, who each earned four nominations.
This year’s BET Awards will also introduce two brand-new categories: the Fashion Vanguard Award and the Pulse Award. The Fashion Vanguard Award celebrates artists and celebrities making a huge impact in fashion and style. Nominees include A$AP Rocky, Beyoncé, Cardi B, Doechii, Teyana Taylor, Rihanna, Zendaya, and Bad Bunny.
Meanwhile, the Pulse Award will honor internet shows, podcasts, and media platforms that helped push Black culture forward online. Nominees include shows and personalities like Charlamagne Tha God, Druski, and On The Radar. BET executive Connie Orlando praised this year’s nominees in a statement, saying they represent “the very best of Black culture.”
Nominations List:
Album Of The Year
Cardi B – AM I THE DRAMA?
Tyler, The Creator – DON’T TAP THE GLASS
Wale – everything is a lot.
Mariah The Scientist – HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY
Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out
Leon Thomas – MUTT Deluxe: HEEL
J. Cole – The Fall-Off
Bruno Mars – The Romantic
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
A$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
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
GIVĒON
Leon Thomas
October London
Usher
Video of the Year
Ella Mai – “100”
Doechii – “Anxiety”
Mariah The Scientist – “Burning Blue”
Tyla – “Chanel”
Teyana Taylor – “Escape Room (Short Film)”
Kehlani – “Folded”
T.I. – “Let ‘Em Know”
Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “luther”
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
Viewers’ Choice
Mariah The Scientist – “Burning Blue”
Clipse feat. Kendrick Lamar – “Chains & Whips”
Tyla – “Chanel”
Kehlani – “Folded”
Bruno Mars – “I Just Might”
Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller – “It Depends”
Olivia Dean – “Man I Need”
Cardi B – “Outside”
Dave & Tems – “Raindance”
Metro Boomin feat. Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece & DJ Spinz – “Take Me Thru Dere”
Best Collaboration
Clipse & Kendrick Lamar – “Chains & Whips”
Cardi B feat. Jeezy & Latto – “Errtime Remix”
Summer Walker feat. Latto & Doja Cat – “Go Girl”
Baby Keem feat. Kendrick Lamar & Momo Boyd – “Good Flirts”
Mariah The Scientist & Kali Uchis – “Is It A Crime”
Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller & Usher – “It Depends (The Remix)”
Metro Boomin feat. Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece & DJ Spinz – “Take Me Thru Dere”
Gunna feat. Burna Boy – “wgft”
Best New Artist
Belly Gang Kushington
DESTIN CONRAD
JayDon
kwn
Miles Minnick
Monaleo
Olivia Dean
RAYE
Trap Dickey
