The 2026 BET Awards are sure to give viewers something to talk about.
Many fields of entertainment – including music, film and sports – collided on Sunday, June 28, in an event at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Big names take off Janet Jackson, Queen Latifah, Lizzo again TI were there, watching a series of high-energy games and handing out well-earned trophies. (I mean, Latifah's duet with Common is an incomparable tribute Lauryn Hill we were dancing in our seats.)
Before the ceremony begins, this year's BET Awards are guaranteed to present the most important moments, as well Druski made his first catch, Cardi B leading a pack of impressive nominees as well Queen Latifah, Doechii, Raye, Common and more that they are preparing to do during the broadcast.
Scroll through Us WeeklyA compilation of the best and worst moments from the awards shows below:
Best: Teyana Taylor Icon of the Year
Fresh from winning the Golden Globes, Taylor was presented with the coveted trophy by those who don't age Janet Jackson.
“Well, Lord, and Dindwa, I shut my mouth, they didn't tell me that Janet was coming,” he began his speech. “I love you so much, thank you, thank you, thank you for always seeing me. Thank you for every text, every hug, every talk. You've inspired me so much. … The fact that you took the time to be here to celebrate with me, this is crazy.”
Janet won the Icon of the Year award for 2025, and Taylor received the trophy the following year.
“Tonight they gave me a title and that title is Icon of the Year and for a minute I wondered if I should have felt uncomfortable saying this title, but nah, I have worked for 20 years for this,” he said jokingly. “So what I have achieved I do not accept with arrogance, what I have achieved I accept with gratitude. This year alone I have continued to give the world a singer, actor, director, lyricist, art director, stylist, designer, writer, producer and chef – I got a degree. [in] September, everyone.”
Worst: Shares of Druski Net Worths
After the comedian came down from the stage singing a choir song when the program started, he praised the guests who were present for singing to the stars who were not included. Tyler Perry again Stevie Wonder in the “Gather and Praise” portion of the mock church sermon. (Since Wonder is blind, the text was written in Braille.)
“Shut up, he doesn't see it,” said Druski. “That check is sealed, sealed, delivered. Amen.”
Undoubtedly, it had us in awe on TV.
Best: D'Angelo's Children Pay Tribute to His Loss
A few months after the death of the soul icon in October 2025, his three children introduced Raye, Ari Lennox and George Clinton to the search method.
“To the world, he was D'Angelo, to us he was just a father,” daughter Imani began, before her brother Morocco noted that the “Brown Sugar” singer was “their biggest person and their protector.”
His brother, Swayvo, reiterated that D'Angelo “means the world to us.”
Even before the game started, D'Angelo's kids were crying for Us.
Worst: Height
Although we did not hit the spectacular performances or the appropriate awards, the event extended beyond the end of the day with a limited time for the presentation of the awards.
Best: Lauryn Hill's Well-Deserved Tribute
The BET Awards had a long (and well-deserved) tribute to Hill on Sunday, starting with a star-studded performance featuring Queen Latifah and the usual legions of fans.
“I wasn't supposed to sing, but then I heard that some people don't do their sets,” he said, starting to play in an unexpected way.
Hill received the Living Legend Award, presented by Ice Cube.
“I'm doing this because I love you all,” he said in his acceptance speech. “I want you to have everything I go through. I had good parents who loved me, they poured over me and protected me. When I realized that not everyone should have that knowledge, I saw it as my job, my responsibility to share great love and give it to as many people as possible. Music was my way to do that, but I have always cared about the speech and representation of our people.”
While Hill talked about her passion for her job, she also noted that she is a mom first and celebrated her son's birthday and her daughter's high school graduation during her speech.
“I love my people,” he said.
Best: Raye Shuts It Down On Stage
Raye, best known for his hit “Where the Hell Is My Husband?”, took the BET stage for the first time on Sunday. Dressed in a sparkly black dress, Raye belted out “Nightangale Lane” and wowed Us with her impressive vocals.
