On Sunday night (June 28), the 2026 BET Awards returned to Los Angeles for its annual celebration. After a rousing show last year, when Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg and Kirk Franklin were honored, BET knew it had to up the ante this time around. Rallying the rap and R&B Avengers in Cardi B, Kehlani, Don Toliver and more, the seminal Black network once again delivered a star-studded spectacle worthy of the occasion.
Hosted by comedian and actor Druski, the 2026 BET Awards celebrated legends, rising stars and fallen heroes alike. Janet Jackson left fans awestruck with her presence while presenting the Icon of the Year Award to Teyana Taylor. Six-time Grammy winner Erica Campbell paid tribute to the bevy of Black luminaries who recently passed with a stirring rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Love the Lord,” while legendary music executive Sylvia Rhone was celebrated for her countless contributions to Black artists like Missy Elliott, Future and Brandy.
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An R&B superteam featuring Ari Lennox and Durand Bernarr honored the legacy of D’Angelo; the incomparable Lauryn Hill received her flowers courtesy of Doja Cat, Doechii and more; while Kwn and Kenny Iko made their official BET Awards debuts. And when the legends weren’t lighting up the room with their star power, today’s stars like Tems and RAYE proved Black creativity is as vibrant as ever with standout performances of their own.
Below, Billboard ranked every performance from the 2026 BET Awards. Check out the list and see which superstars left an indelible mark on the night.
