The 2026 BET Awards nominations have sparked widespread discussion after the Best International Act category was notably absent from the initial announcement, despite strong representation from global stars, including leading Nigerian artistes.
The ceremony, set to take place on June 28 in Los Angeles at the Peacock Theater, has already confirmed nominations for some of Nigeria’s biggest names — Tems, Burna Boy, and Asake — across multiple competitive categories.
However, the absence of the traditional Best International Act category, long considered a key space for Afrobeats and global African recognition at the BETs, has become a talking point among fans and industry watchers.
Nigerian stars still dominate key categories
Despite the missing category, Nigerian artists remain strongly represented across the nominations.
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Tems stands out as one of the most nominated Nigerian acts this year, earning multiple recognitions including:
- Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
- BET Her Award for First
- Viewers’ Choice Award for Raindance (her collaboration with Dave)
Burna Boy also secured a major nod in the Best Collaboration category for his feature on Gunna’s track WGFT, while Asake earned recognition in the Best Group category following his collaborative work and continued chart success.
Together, the trio continues to reinforce Nigeria’s global influence on contemporary music, even as the international category spotlight appears to be missing from this year’s rollout.
Broader representation and new categories
The 2026 BET Awards also introduce new additions, including the Pulse Award, which highlights digital creators shaping Black culture online.
Meanwhile, artists like Doechii, Doja Cat, Chris Brown, and Teyana Taylor lead multiple nominations across major categories such as Album of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Video of the Year.
The awards also extend recognition beyond music, with Nigerian-heritage actors such as Ayo Edebiri, Cynthia Erivo, and Damson Idris earning acting nominations.
Industry conversation grows
With Tems, Burna Boy, and Asake all securing high-profile nominations, attention has now shifted to what the omission of the Best International Act category could mean for the BET Awards’ evolving global focus.
As the countdown to June 28 continues, fans are watching closely to see whether the category will be reinstated — or whether this year marks a shift in how international acts are recognised at one of music’s biggest global stages.
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 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
GIVĒON
Leon Thomas
October London
Usher
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi B
Coi Leray
Doechii
Doja Cat
GloRilla
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Monaleo
YK Niece
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
A$AP Rocky
Baby Keem
BigXthaPlug
DaBaby
Don Toliver
Drake
J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar
T.I.
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 & Kendrick Lamar
“Errtime Remix” — Cardi B feat. Jeezy & Latto
“Go Girl” — Summer Walker feat. Latto & Doja Cat
“Good Flirts” — Baby Keem feat. Kendrick Lamar & Momo Boyd
“Is It a Crime” — Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis
“It Depends (The Remix)” — Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller & Usher
“Take Me Thru Dere” — Metro Boomin feat. Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece & DJ Spinz
“wgft” — Gunna feat. Burna Boy
Best New Artist
Belly Gang Kushington
DESTIN CONRAD
JayDon
kwn
Miles Minnick
Monaleo
Olivia Dean
RAYE
Trap Dickey
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
“Able” — Kirk Franklin
“ABLE (REMIX)” — Darrel Walls, PJ Morton & Kim Burrell
“All to Thee” — BeBe Winans
“Already Good (Tasha Slide)” — Tasha Cobbs Leonard
“At the Cross” — CeCe Winans
“Church” — Tasha Cobbs Leonard & John Legend
“Do It Again” — Kirk Franklin
“Headphones” — Lecrae, Killer Mike & T.I.
BET Her
“Already Good (Tasha Slide)” — Tasha Cobbs Leonard
“Be Great” — Jill Scott feat. Trombone Shorty
“Beautiful People” — Jill Scott
“First” — Tems
“girl, get up.” — Doechii feat. SZA
“Go Girl” — Summer Walker feat. Latto & Doja Cat
“Gorgeous” — Doja Cat
“Lady Lady” — Olivia Dean
Viewers’ Choice
“Burning Blue” — Mariah the Scientist
“Chains & Whips” — Clipse feat. Kendrick Lamar
“Chanel” — Tyla
“Folded” — Kehlani
“I Just Might” — Bruno Mars
“It Depends” — Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller
“Man I Need” — Olivia Dean
“Outside” — Cardi B
“Raindance” — Dave & Tems
“Take Me Thru Dere” — Metro Boomin feat. Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece & DJ Spinz
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
