The BET Awards returned Sunday night time with its twenty sixth annual present, bringing “Tradition’s Largest Evening” again to the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Hosted by Druski, the 2026 ceremony celebrated the most important names in Black music, movie, TV, sports activities, style and tradition, whereas additionally making room for the type of tributes, viral jokes and stay efficiency moments which have at all times separated BET from each different awards present.
This 12 months’s present had a little bit little bit of every little thing. Cardi B got here in because the most-nominated artist of the night time, Teyana Taylor left as one of many largest winners, and legends like Ms. Lauryn Hill and Sylvia Rhone received the type of flowers that felt larger than a trophy. The night time additionally featured performances from the aforementioned Cardi B, RAYE, Kehlani, Tems, T.I., Don Toliver, Child Keem, French Montana, Rick Ross, Max B, and extra.
As normal, the BET Awards had been at their greatest when the present felt unpredictable. Some moments had been emotional. Some had been hilarious. Some had been simply reminders that when Black artists get a stage constructed for them, the night time can flip right into a live performance, a household reunion, a roast session, and a historical past lesson abruptly.
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Teyana Taylor Will get Shocked By Janet Jackson
Teyana Taylor’s Icon of the 12 months Award already felt like one of many night time’s largest moments, however BET took it up a degree by having Janet Jackson current it to her. Taylor was visibly emotional as Jackson walked out, and the second felt like an actual passing of affection from one multi-hyphenate icon to a different. In her speech, Taylor mirrored on working for 20 years, constructing her personal dream whereas serving to others construct theirs, and at last accepting that “icon” title with gratitude.
Ms. Lauryn Hill Will get Her Flowers With A Star-Studded Tribute
One of many largest moments of the night time got here when Ms. Lauryn Hill acquired BET’s inaugural Residing Legend Icon Award. Earlier than Hill took the stage herself, BET honored her affect with a stacked tribute that includes artists like SZA, Doechii, Nas, Doja Cat, Queen Latifah, Tems, Lizzo, Rapsody, Tierra Whack and extra, reimagining classics from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and The Rating. SZA and Doechii’s “Prepared or Not” second was one of many clear standouts, however the tribute hit one other degree when Hill closed it herself with “Ex-Issue.” It was much less of a daily awards present tribute and extra of a reminder that Hill’s impression nonetheless runs by way of a number of generations of Black music.
Cardi B Turns The Stage Into Her Personal Present
Cardi B hit the BET stage with a medley that included “Hi there,” “Test Please,” “ErrTime,” and “Fairly & Petty.” It was loud, assured and precisely the type of efficiency folks count on from her when she’s in rollout mode. The “Fairly & Petty” portion particularly had folks speaking as a result of Cardi introduced diss file vitality to stay TV.
Keke Palmer Snatches Druski’s Mic
Keke Palmer gave the present considered one of its funniest moments when she walked up on Druksi and joked that the internet hosting job ought to have been hers. The bit labored as a result of Keke is without doubt one of the few individuals who can steal a stay present for 30 seconds and one way or the other make it smoother. She turned the second right into a mini-audition, and followers instantly began saying BET ought to let her host subsequent.
RAYE Will get A Standing Ovation
RAYE’s efficiency of “Nightingale Lane” was one of many night time’s strongest vocal moments. In a present full of huge manufacturing and fast-moving segments, she slowed the room down and let the efficiency breathe. By the top, the standing ovation felt earned, not pressured.
Kehlani Performs “Folded” With A Jamie Foxx Shock
Kehlani gave followers a clean efficiency of “Folded,” however the additional shock got here when Jamie Foxx appeared at that second. It added a family-style heat to the efficiency and gave the gang one other reminder of what number of generations had been represented within the constructing. Kehlani additionally ended the night time as a winner, taking dwelling Greatest Feminine R&B/Pop Artist.
Sylvia Rhone Will get Her Flowers
Sylvia Rhone receiving the Final Icon Award was a serious second for anybody who understands how a lot of the music business she helped form behind the scenes. Her profession spans 5 many years, and her fingerprints are on a number of eras of Black music. Her message about defending creativity in a tech-driven business gave the second additional weight.
The In Memoriam Tribute Brings Gospel Energy
Erica Campbell and Le’Andria Johnson delivered one of many night time’s most emotional performances throughout the In Memoriam section. Their renditions of “I Love the Lord” and “Whole Reward” gave the tribute the church-rooted energy that BET moments usually do higher than anyone else. It was a pause within the celebration that reminded everybody of the artists, entertainers and cultural figures the group misplaced.
Tems Delivers “What You Want”
Tems introduced a very totally different vitality to the BET stage with “What You Want.” Her efficiency was calm, managed and atmospheric, which made it stand out on an evening full of louder moments. She didn’t have to do an excessive amount of as a result of the voice and presence had been sufficient.
French Montana, Rick Ross & Max B Convey Out The Furs
French Montana, Rick Ross and Max B gave the night time considered one of its most trendy rap moments with “Ever Since U Left Me” and “Minks in Miami.” The efficiency leaned absolutely into rap luxurious rap vitality, full with furs and boss discuss. It was a enjoyable change of tempo and a kind of BET stage moments constructed for clips.
Child Keem Brings A Recent Jolt To The Stage
Child Keem gave the present considered one of its youthful, extra unpredictable efficiency moments with “Circus Circus Freestyle,” “Dramatic Lady” and “Good Flirts” alongside Momo Boyd. On an evening heavy on legacy, tributes and large honors, Keem’s set helped hold the present linked to what’s subsequent. The efficiency had the type of off-kilter vitality that makes him stand out, giving the BET stage a unique type of spark.
