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Cardi B, Teyana Taylor and Lauryn Hill Lead BET Awards 2026
Aurax Desk | June 29, 2026 | 2 min read
The 2026 BET Awards celebrated Black excellence in music, film and culture with a night of major performances, career honors and standout fashion moments in Los Angeles. Cardi B, Teyana Taylor and Ms. Lauryn Hill emerged among the evening's biggest headlines as the annual event brought together some of the entertainment industry's most recognizable names.
Cardi B performs songs from her latest album during the 2026 BET Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.6 lineup.c
The BET Awards were held Sunday night at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with comedian Druski serving as host for the annual ceremony. The event featured performances from a wide range of artists, including Cardi B, RAYE, Kehlani, Don Toliver, Queen Latifah and Doechii, while honoring achievements across music, television, film and sports. Teyana Taylor was the night's top winner, collecting four awards, including Icon of the Year, Best Actress, Fashion Vanguard and Video Director of the Year for her visual project "Escape Room."
One of the evening's most talked-about moments came when Cardi B delivered a theatrical performance featuring songs from her latest album, "Am I the Drama?" The rapper appeared with a striking red hairstyle and opened her set atop a motorcycle before performing a multi-song medley. Cardi also won Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, adding another BET Award to her career total. Meanwhile, Janet Jackson presented Taylor's Icon of the Year honor, and music executive Sylvia Rhone received the BET Ultimate Icon Award recognizing her decades-long influence in the recording industry.
The ceremony also paid tribute to pioneering artists whose influence continues to shape contemporary music. Ms. Lauryn Hill received the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award following a star-studded tribute featuring performers including SZA, Doechii, Nas, Doja Cat, Queen Latifah, Lizzo and Common. The celebration concluded with Hill taking the stage herself, underscoring her lasting impact on hip-hop and R&B. Red-carpet arrivals drew significant attention before the show, with celebrities including Queen Latifah, Doechii, Teyana Taylor and numerous other performers showcasing high-profile fashion looks ahead of the broadcast.
KEY WINNERS
Teyana Taylor — Icon of the Year, Best Actress, Fashion Vanguard, Video Director of the Year
Cardi B — Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Ms. Lauryn Hill — Living Legend Icon Award
Sylvia Rhone — BET Ultimate Icon Award
Sources: Information from BET, Rolling Stone, Reuters, People, The Hollywood Reporter, Pitchfork, Yahoo Entertainment.