BET Awards 2026: Tems, Burna Boy, Wizkid and Tyla Lead African Nominations but Miss Out on Wins
African artistes, led by Nigerian Afrobeats acts, were well represented at the 2026 BET Awards, earning a total of seven nominations across five categories, but left Los Angeles without a trophy.
Nigerian stars Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tems and Asake all received major nominations at the ceremony held on Sunday at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles.
Hosted by comedian Druski, the annual event celebrated achievements across music, film, television and sports, with American singer Teyana Taylor and hip-hop duo Clipse emerging as the night’s biggest winners.
The BET Awards, established in 2001 by Black Entertainment Television, honour Black entertainers and other minorities in music, film, sports and philanthropy.
African artistes were among the most nominated acts but missed out across the major competitive categories on a night dominated by American performers.
Tems led the Nigerian nominations with three nods. The Grammy-winning singer was shortlisted for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, the BET Her Award for First, and the Viewers’ Choice Award for Raindance — her collaboration with British rapper Dave.
Kehlani claimed the Best Female R&B/Pop Artist award, while Doechii and SZA won the BET Her category with Girl, Get Up, while Mariah the Scientist secured the Viewers’ Choice Award with Burning Blue.
Tems also performed her 2025 hit What You Need live during the ceremony.
Wizkid and Asake were nominated for Best Group but lost to Clipse, who also won Album of the Year for Let God Sort Em Out and Best Collaboration for Chains & Whips featuring Kendrick Lamar.
Burna Boy was also unsuccessful in the Best Collaboration category, where his feature on Gunna’s WGFT lost to Clipse and Kendrick Lamar.
South African star Tyla, nominated for Video of the Year for Chanel and the Viewers’ Choice Award, also left without a win.
Similarly, in the film and television categories, Nigerian-American actress Ayo Edebiri and British-Nigerian star Cynthia Erivo were both nominated for Best Actress, but Teyana Taylor won the award. British-Nigerian actor Damson Idris also missed out on Best Actor, with Michael B. Jordan winning for his performance in Sinners.
Teyana Taylor and Clipse each won three awards. Kendrick Lamar and Kehlani won two each, while special honours went to Lauryn Hill, who received the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award, and veteran music executive Sylvia Rhone, who received the Ultimate Icon Award.
