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The 2026 BET Awards, held on Sunday at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, saw a disappointing night for Nigerian music stars Asake, Burna Boy, Wizkid and Tems, as all failed to secure wins in their respective categories despite strong nominations.
The annual ceremony, organised by Black Entertainment Television since 2001, recognises outstanding achievements in music, film, television and sports among Black entertainers globally. This year’s edition featured intense competition across multiple categories, with American acts dominating most of the major awards.
In one of the night’s key categories, “Best Group,” Wizkid and Asake were jointly nominated but lost out to American hip-hop duo Clipse. The group also enjoyed a successful night overall, clinching “Best Collaboration” alongside Kendrick Lamar for their track “Chains & Whips.” The category also featured Burna Boy among its nominees, marking another missed opportunity for the Afrobeats star.
Tems, one of Nigeria’s most nominated artists at the ceremony, went into the night with three nominations but left without a win. She was nominated for “Best Female R&B/Pop Artist,” “BET Her Award,” and “Viewers’ Choice Award.”
In the “Best Female R&B/Pop Artist” category, she lost to Kehlani, while the “BET Her Award” went to Doechii featuring SZA for their song “Girl, Get Up.” The “Viewers’ Choice Award” was ultimately claimed by Mariah the Scientist for her hit “Burning Blue.”
Despite the losses, Tems still delivered one of the most memorable live performances of the night. She performed her song “What You Need” in a stripped-down, emotional set.
Dressed in a flowing white gown, she was accompanied by acclaimed musician Adam Blackstone on piano, a full live band, and a group of six backup singers, creating a soulful and atmospheric stage moment that drew praise from viewers.
During her performance, Tems delivered heartfelt lyrics that resonated with fans:
“I need to be alone now, I need to be alone. Your love is not my lifeline, your love is not my home,” she sang.
She continued with more emotional lines:
“Returning you, you’rе not mine, to me, you don’t belong. I’m bеtter on my own, you’re better when you’re gone.”
While Nigerian artists faced disappointment in award categories, Teyana Taylor emerged as one of the biggest winners of the night, sweeping multiple honours and reinforcing her influence across entertainment industries.
She secured wins in “Best Actress,” “Video Director of the Year,” and “Fashion Vanguard,” showcasing her versatility beyond music. In addition, she was honoured with the prestigious “Icon of the Year” award, one of the night’s highest recognitions.
Her success across acting, directing, fashion and cultural impact made her one of the most celebrated figures of the ceremony.
The 2026 BET Awards ultimately highlighted a competitive year in global Black entertainment, with Nigerian stars maintaining strong nominations and performances, even as the major wins leaned heavily toward American artists.
Despite not securing trophies, Tems’ performance and the continued presence of Afrobeats stars on the global stage reaffirmed the genre’s growing influence in international music culture.
“Returning you, you’rе not mine, to me, you don’t belong. I’m bеtter on my own, you’re better when you’re gone.”
Full list of winners:
Music Categories
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 WINNER
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 — WINNER
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 — WINNER
October London
Usher
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi B — WINNER
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 — WINNER
T.I.
Best Group
41
Clipse — WINNER
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 WINNER
“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 — WINNER
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. — WINNER
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 — WINNER
“Go Girl” — Summer Walker feat. Latto & Doja Cat
“Gorgeous” — Doja Cat
“Lady Lady” — Olivia Dean
Viewers’ Choice
“Burning Blue” — Mariah the Scientist — WINNER
“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 — WINNER
“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 — WINNER
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