Nigeria’s biggest music stars, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tems and Asake, have earned nominations for the 2026 BET Awards, reinforcing Nigeria’s growing influence on the global music scene.
The nominations for the annual awards ceremony were announced on Tuesday, with a number of Nigerian and Nigerian-descended artistes and actors recognised across music, film and television categories.
The 2026 BET Awards will take place on Sunday, 28 June, in Los Angeles and will be hosted by comedian Druski.
Tems
Among the Nigerian nominees, Tems emerged as one of the most celebrated, securing three nominations.
The 30-year-old singer was nominated for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, competing with artists like SZA, Ari Lennox, Coco Jones, and Olivia Dean.
For awards and music, she is nominated for BET Her with the song “First”.
She is also in the Viewers’ Choice category with “Raindance” featuring Dave, a reflective love song released in early 2026 that became a major hit, reaching #1 on the UK Singles Chart, performing strongly on the Billboard Hot 100, and earning over 500 million Spotify streams, with a widely praised emotional music video.
Tems was the most nominated Nigerian in this year’s edition.
Wizkid And Asake
Wizkid and Asake received a joint nomination in the Best Group category, following the success of their collaborative work and a string of chart-topping releases.
Their nomination highlights their strong 2025–2026 joint work. They released the collaborative EP REAL, Vol. 1 in January 2026 (tracks: “Jogodo,” “Turbulence,” “Iskolodo,” “Alaye”). “Jogodo” (lead single) was a massive hit: broke Spotify Nigeria records (biggest first-week streams for a collab), spent weeks at #1 on Nigeria charts, strong UK Afrobeats performance, and viral success.
“Turbulence” also performed strongly (debuted high on UK Afrobeats charts, #2 in Nigeria streams).
The EP quickly surpassed 50–100+ million streams and topped charts in Africa/UK markets, showing their enduring chemistry and commercial power.
Burna Boy
Burna Boy was nominated in the Best Collaboration category for WGFT (What’s Good For Them?), his feature on Gunna’s hit single.
“WGFT” was released in August 2025 as a single from Gunna’s album The Last Wun. It became a major crossover hit: Peaked at #16 on the US Billboard Hot 100, #5 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Burna’s first Top 10 there).
UK peaks (#22 Singles, #2 Hip Hop/R&B); Gold certification in the UK. Over 240 million Spotify streams; the visualizer has tens of millions of views. It marked a career milestone for Burna in US R&B/hip-hop charts and kept his global momentum strong into 2026.
He has a dominant BET International Act history and consistent global impact, and the nomination adds to Burna Boy’s long list of international accolades and his continued prominence in the global music industry.
South African star Tyla earned two nominations at the 2026 BET Awards for her hit single “Chanel,” including Video of the Year and the Viewers’ Choice Award.
Nigerian artistes have recorded notable achievements at the BET Awards over the years.
Wizkid remains one of Africa’s most decorated BET winners, while Burna Boy has dominated international categories with multiple victories.
Other Nigerian stars who have won BET honours include Davido, 2Baba, D’banj and Ice Prince. Most recently, Ayra Starr won the Best International Act award in 2025.
Nigerian Descent Shine In Acting Categories
Beyond music, several stars of Nigerian heritage were recognised in the acting categories for 2026.
Ayo Edebiri and Cynthia Erivo were nominated for Best Actress, while Damson Idris received a nomination for Best Actor.
Their nominations highlight the growing impact of Nigerians and people of Nigerian descent in Hollywood and the broader entertainment industry.
International Stars, New Categories
Cardi B led this year’s nominations with six nods, including Album of the Year for Am I the Drama? and Best Female Hip Hop Artist.
She was followed by Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist, who each received five nominations.
Other artistes with multiple nominations include Doechii, Doja Cat, Latto, Teyana Taylor and Olivia Dean.
The 2026 edition introduces two new categories which are the Fashion Vanguard Award and Pulse Award.
The additions widen the scope of the BET Awards to recognise excellence and influence in fashion, digital media and popular culture.
Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious global platforms celebrating Black excellence, the BET Awards continue to honour outstanding achievements in music, film, television, and culture worldwide.
2026 BET AWARDS FULL LIST
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
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.
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 (Basketball)
- Angel Reese (Basketball)
- Claressa Shields (Boxing)
- Coco Gauff (Tennis)
- Flau’jae Johnson (Basketball)
- Gabby Thomas (Track & Field)
- Jordan Chiles (Gymnastics)
- Naomi Osaka (Tennis)
- Sha’Carri Richardson (Track & Field)
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
- Aaron Judge (Baseball)
- Anthony Edwards (Basketball)
- Caleb Williams (Football)
- Jalen Brunson (Basketball)
- Jalen Hurts (Football)
- LeBron James (Basketball)
- Shedeur Sanders (Football)
- Stephen Curry (Basketball)
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
