Nigeria’s global music icons Wizkid, Asake, Burna Boy, and Tems have earned prominent nominations for the 2026 BET Awards.
The nominations were announced on Tuesday for the annual awards ceremony, scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 28, 2026, in Los Angeles.
Wizkid and Asake secured a joint nomination in the Best Group category, boosted by their successful collaborative project and string of hit releases.
Tems stands out as one of the most nominated African artists, earning three nods: Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, the BET Her Award for her song “First,” and a Viewers’ Choice nomination for “Raindance,” her collaboration with Dave.
Burna Boy was nominated in the Best Collaboration category for “WGFT,” his feature on Gunna’s track.
Nigerian artists have built a strong legacy at the BET Awards.
Wizkid ranks among Africa’s most decorated winners, while Burna Boy has consistently dominated international categories.
Previous honorees include Davido, Tems, 2Baba, D’banj, Ice Prince, and most recently Ayra Starr, who won Best International Act in 2025.
Beyond music, talents of Nigerian descent are also recognized in the acting categories. Ayo Edebiri and Cynthia Erivo received nominations for Best Actress, while Damson Idris earned a nod for Best Actor.
2026 BET Awards full list (selected categories)
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
Giveon
Leon Thomas
October London
Usher
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
Best Collaboration
“Chains & Whips” — Clipse ft. Kendrick Lamar
“Errtime Remix” — Cardi B ft. Jeezy & Latto
“Go Girl” — Summer Walker ft. Latto & Doja Cat
“Good Flirts” — Baby Keem ft. Kendrick Lamar & Momo Boyd
“Is It a Crime” — Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis
“It Depends (The Remix)” — Chris Brown ft. Bryson Tiller & Usher
“Take Me Thru Dere” — Metro Boomin ft. Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece & DJ Spinz
“WGFT” — Gunna ft. Burna Boy
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
A$AP Rocky
Baby Keem
BigXthaPlug
DaBaby
Don Toliver
Drake
J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar
T.I.
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi B
Coi Leray
Doechii
Doja Cat
GloRilla
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Monaleo
YK Niece
Video of the Year
“100” — Ella Mai
“Anxiety” — Doechii
“Burning Blue” — Mariah the Scientist
“Chanel” — Tyla
“Escape Room (Short Film)” — Teyana Taylor
“Folded” — Kehlani
“Let ’Em Know” — T.I.
“Luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA
Video Director of the Year
A$AP Rocky & Dan Streit
Anderson .Paak
Benny Boom
Cactus Jack
Cardi B & Patientce Foster
Cole Bennett
Director X
Hype Williams
Teyana “Spike-Tey” Taylor
Best New Artist
Belly Gang Kushington
Destin Conrad
Jaydon
kwn
Miles Minnick
Monaleo
Olivia Dean
RAYE
Trap Dickey
Album of the Year
Am I the Drama? — Cardi B
Don’t Tap the Glass — Tyler, the Creator
Everything Is a Lot. — Wale
Hearts Sold Separately — Mariah the Scientist
Let God Sort Em Out — Clipse
Mutt Deluxe: Heel — Leon Thomas
The Fall-Off — J. Cole
The Romantic — Bruno Mars
Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Ayo Edebiri
Chase Infiniti
Coco Jones
Cynthia Erivo
Keke Palmer
Quinta Brunson
Regina Hall
Teyana Taylor
Best Actor
Aaron Pierre
Aldis Hodge
Anthony Mackie
Colman Domingo
Damson Idris
Delroy Lindo
Denzel Washington
Michael B. Jordan
Sterling K. Brown
YoungStars Award
Daria Johns
Graceyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth
Heiress Harris
Jazzy’s World TV
Lela Hoffmeister
North West
Thaddeus J. Mixson
VanVan
Best Movie
“Highest 2 Lowest”
“Him”
“Number One on the Call Sheet”
“One Battle After Another”
“Relationship Goals”
“Ruth & Boaz”
“Sinners”
“Wicked: For Good”
Sportswoman of the Year
A’ja Wilson
Angel Reese
Claressa Shields
Coco Gauff
Flau’jae Johnson
Gabby Thomas
Jordan Chiles
Naomi Osaka
Sha’Carri Richardson
Sportsman of the Year
Aaron Judge
Anthony Edwards
Caleb Williams
Jalen Brunson
Jalen Hurts
LeBron James
Shedeur Sanders
Stephen Curry
BET Her Award
“Already Good (Tasha Slide)” — Tasha Cobbs Leonard
“Be Great” — Jill Scott ft. Trombone Shorty
“Beautiful People” — Jill Scott
“First” — Tems
“Girl, Get Up.” — Doechii ft. SZA
“Go Girl” — Summer Walker ft. Latto & Doja Cat
“Gorgeous” — Doja Cat
“Lady Lady” — Olivia Dean
Fashion Vanguard Award
A$AP Rocky
Bad Bunny
Beyoncé
Cardi B
Colman Domingo
Doechii
Rihanna
Teyana Taylor
Zendaya
Pulse Award (Podcast / Media)
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
R&B Money Podcast.
