Cardi B Leads 2026 BET Awards Noms with Six Nods

Cardi B is once again proving her dominance in the music industry, leading the pack for the 2026 BET Awards with a remarkable six nominations. The announcement, made on Tuesday, May 19, sets the stage for what promises to be another grand celebration of Black excellence across music, entertainment, sports, and culture.

The highly anticipated awards ceremony is scheduled to light up the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, airing live on June 28, 2026, at 8 PM ET/PT on BET. Fans can also look forward to the return of BET Experience 2026 (BETX) from June 25-27, a three-day immersive event packed with live experiences, all part of what the network proudly calls "Culture's Biggest Week."

The Bronx native’s extensive list of nods includes a coveted spot for Album of the Year for her acclaimed sophomore project, Am I The Drama?. She also secured nominations for Best Female Hip Hop Artist, Best Collaboration for her track "Errtime Remix" featuring Jeezy and Latto, and Video Director of the Year, sharing the recognition with Patience Foster. Further cementing her wide appeal, Cardi B is also a contender for the Viewer's Choice Award.

Cardi B's history with the BET Awards is already illustrious. Her six nominations this year add to an already impressive career tally, which includes six previous wins. Her past triumphs at the awards show highlight her consistent impact, with back-to-back victories for Best Female Hip Hop Artist in 2018 and 2019. She also took home Album of the Year for her multiplatinum debut, Invasion of Privacy, and was recognized for Video of the Year and Best Collaboration for "WAP" with Megan Thee Stallion in 2021. This consistent recognition underscores her significant influence on the hip-hop landscape and broader culture.

While Cardi B leads the charge, other prominent artists are also heavily recognized for their contributions. Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist each garnered five nominations, showcasing their strong years. Close behind, Doechii, Doja Cat, Clipse, Teyana Taylor, Olivia Dean, and Latto each received four nods, reflecting the depth of talent making waves. Artists earning three nominations include A$AP Rocky, Bruno Mars, Bryson Tiller, Chris Brown, Jill Scott, Kehlani, Metro Boomin, SZA, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, T.I., and YK Niece, illustrating the wide range of celebrated artists across various genres.

This year’s ceremony is also breaking new ground with the introduction of two new categories designed to broaden the scope of recognition beyond traditional entertainment. The inaugural Fashion Vanguard Award will honor impactful style icons, with a star-studded list of nominees that includes A$AP Rocky, Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Cardi B, Colman Domingo, Doechii, Rihanna, Teyana Taylor, and Zendaya. This new award acknowledges the powerful influence artists wield in shaping global fashion trends and setting cultural statements.

Additionally, the newly launched Pulse Award will acknowledge influential voices in media and podcasting. The first set of nominees for this category features popular platforms and personalities such as 85 South Show, Baby, This Is Keke Palmer, Charlamagne Tha God, Don Lemon, Druski, It Is What It Is, Joe and Jada, On the Radar, and R&B Money Podcast. This expansion into digital media and spoken-word content reflects the evolving ways in which Black culture is created, shared, and consumed.

Connie Orlando, EVP of Specials, Music Programming and Music Strategy at BET, emphasized the significance of this year's nominations. In a public statement, Orlando noted, "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." Orlando also serves as an Executive Producer for the 2026 BET Awards, alongside Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay, under Jesse Collins Entertainment.

The comprehensive list of nominees spans a wide array of categories, celebrating achievements in music, film, and sports. Music categories highlight talent such as Ari Lennox, Coco Jones, and SZA for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, and Brent Faiyaz, Bruno Mars, and Usher for Best Male R&B/Pop Artist. Best Group nominees include 41, Clipse, and Metro Boomin & DJ Spinz, while Best Collaboration features popular tracks like "Chains & Whips" by Clipse & Kendrick Lamar and Cardi B's "Errtime Remix." The Best Male Hip Hop Artist category recognizes A$AP Rocky, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar, with Cardi B, Doechii, and Latto leading the Best Female Hip Hop Artist nominations.

Beyond music, the awards extend their reach to honor excellence in film and sports. Film categories include Best Actress, recognizing powerhouses like Angela Bassett, Keke Palmer, and Teyana Taylor, and Best Actor, with nominees such as Aaron Pierre, Denzel Washington, and Michael B. Jordan. The YoungStars Award highlights rising talent like Daria Johns and North West. In the realm of sports, the Sportswoman of the Year Award features top athletes like A'ja Wilson, Angel Reese, and Coco Gauff, while the Sportsman of the Year Award includes prominent figures such as Aaron Judge, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry.

This broad recognition across so many fields underscores the BET Awards' commitment to showcasing the diverse and profound impact of Black artists, athletes, and personalities. As the countdown to "Culture's Biggest Week" begins, the anticipation builds for who will take home the coveted trophies and what memorable moments will define the 2026 ceremony.