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Cardi B, Kendrick Lamar, Mariah The Scientist Lead 2026 BET Awards Noms — Melanin News | Melanin
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Cardi B, Kendrick Lamar, Mariah The Scientist Lead 2026 BET Awards NomsHip-Hop

Cardi B, Kendrick Lamar, Mariah The Scientist Lead 2026 BET Awards Noms

2w ago

The biggest names in Black entertainment are set to shine as the nominations for the 2026 BET Awards have officially been unveiled. This year, rapper Cardi B takes the lead, securing an impressive six nominations, setting the stage for what promises to be a star-studded night celebrating culture-shifting artists and creators.

Following closely behind with five nominations each are critically acclaimed rapper Kendrick Lamar and rising star Mariah the Scientist. The annual ceremony, a cornerstone event for Black entertainment, is slated to air live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 28, at 8 PM ET/PT. Fans across the globe can tune in as the show will be simulcast across a wide array of channels, including BET, BET HER, CMT, LOGO, MTV, MTV2, Nickelodeon (NAN), Paramount, POP, VH1, Comedy Central, and TV Land.

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Cardi B’s dominant showing reflects her powerful presence in the industry, with nods for Best Female Hip Hop Artist, Album of the Year for her project *Am I The Drama?*, and Viewers’ Choice for her track “Outside.” Her influence extends beyond music, as she is also recognized in the newly introduced Fashion Vanguard Award category. This category celebrates public figures whose style choices significantly shape culture across entertainment, sports, and media. She shares this inaugural recognition with other fashion heavyweights like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Zendaya, Colman Domingo, and Doechii.

Kendrick Lamar, a consistent force in hip-hop, garnered nominations across multiple key categories. He's up for Best Male Hip Hop Artist and Video of the Year for his collaboration with SZA on “luther.” His track “Chains & Whips,” featuring the iconic hip-hop duo Clipse, also earned double recognition in both the Best Collaboration and Viewers’ Choice categories. Mariah the Scientist, who has been on a breakout trajectory, secured nominations for Album of the Year for *HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY* and Video of the Year for her visual for “Burning Blue.”

The BET Awards, established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network, has consistently served as a vital platform to celebrate the achievements of African Americans and other minorities across music, film, sports, and philanthropy. Over the years, it has grown in scope and influence, becoming a cultural staple. Beyoncé, a true titan of the industry, holds the record for the most BET Awards received by any artist, boasting an astounding 36 wins.

Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar Source

This year’s nominations also highlight a broad spectrum of talent across the entertainment landscape. Doechii, Doja Cat, Clipse, Teyana Taylor, Olivia Dean, and Latto each earned four nominations. Olivia Dean, an emerging artist, is recognized for Best New Artist and Viewers’ Choice for “Man I Need.” Latto’s collaborative prowess is evident with two appearances in the Best Collaboration field for “Errtime Remix” with Cardi B and Jeezy, and for “Go Girl” with Summer Walker and Doja Cat. Teyana Taylor’s versatility is celebrated with a Best Actress nod, plus recognition for Video Director of the Year and Video of the Year for “Escape Room (Short Film).” Artists with three nominations each include A$AP Rocky, Bruno Mars, Bryson Tiller, Chris Brown, Jill Scott, Kehlani, Metro Boomin, SZA, T.I., Tasha Cobbs Leonard, and YK Niece. T.I., born Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., is widely recognized as a pioneer of the trap music subgenre, hailing from Atlanta, Georgia.

A significant new addition to this year's ceremony is the Pulse Award category, designed to honor creators and media platforms that are actively shaping online conversations. The inaugural nominees for this forward-thinking award include popular podcasts and personalities such as *The 85 South Show*, *R&B Money Podcast*, *On the Radar*, *Joe and Jada*, *Baby, This Is Keke Palmer*, Charlamagne Tha God, Druski, Don Lemon, and *It Is What It Is*. *The 85 South Show*, a comedy podcast, is hosted by DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller, and Chico Bean. The *R&B Money Podcast*, hosted by Grammy Award-winning R&B singer Tank and J. Valentine, is a dedicated space for R&B fans. Charlamagne Tha God, known as Lenard Larry McKelvey, is a prominent radio host and television personality, while Don Lemon is an American television journalist who launched *The Don Lemon Show* on YouTube.

Druski has been announced as the host for this year's highly anticipated ceremony, a role that was publicized through a star-studded promotional campaign across YouTube and various social media platforms. Behind the scenes, Connie Orlando returns as Executive Producer for the 2026 BET Awards, working alongside Jesse Collins Entertainment. Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serve as executive producers, ensuring the seamless execution of the event.

Connie Orlando, who also holds the title of EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET, shared her enthusiasm for this year's diverse lineup of nominees. She stated, “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.” This sentiment underscores the awards’ commitment to recognizing the evolving landscape of Black creativity and influence.

The BET Awards' significance extends beyond the main show itself, as the BET Experience 2026 is set to transform Los Angeles into a multi-day cultural festival from June 25 through June 27. This event, first launched in 2013, promises a vibrant array of concerts, fan activations, and live events, all building anticipation for the awards ceremony weekend. Mariah the Scientist is among the first wave of talent announced to headline the BETX Main Stage, presented by Hyundai, on Saturday, June 27, signaling the high-caliber performances attendees can expect. Additional announcements regarding performers and special honorees are expected in the coming weeks, further fueling excitement for the live broadcast.

As the countdown to Sunday, June 28, continues, the 2026 BET Awards are poised to once again deliver a powerful celebration of Black excellence and cultural impact. With new categories reflecting the modern influence of fashion and digital media, and a roster of nominees that includes both established legends and groundbreaking new artists, the ceremony promises to be a memorable night for fans of Black culture worldwide.