Global recognition for African music continues to gather momentum as leading Nigerian artists once again dominate the nomination list for the BET Awards, with Wizkid, Asake, Burna Boy, and Tems all earning major nods for the 2026 edition scheduled to hold in Los Angeles on June 28, 2026.
The announcement highlights the growing global influence of Afrobeats and contemporary African music, a movement that has steadily reshaped international pop culture over the past decade.
Among the standout names, Wizkid and Asake jointly secured a nomination in the Best Group category, a recognition driven by their collaborative work and a string of successful releases that have resonated strongly with global audiences.
Their joint recognition reflects the increasing acceptance of African collaborations in mainstream international award categories, where group projects and cross-artist partnerships are gaining more visibility.
Another major highlight is Tems, who emerged as one of the most nominated African artists this year with three separate nominations across key categories.
Tems was nominated for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, the BET Her Award for her track “First,” and also secured a Viewers’ Choice nomination for “Raindance,” her collaboration with UK rapper Dave.
Her multiple nominations further reinforce her growing status as one of the most globally influential African voices in contemporary music, with a career that continues to bridge R&B, soul, and alternative pop.
In another notable recognition, Burna Boy earned a nomination in the Best Collaboration category for “WGFT,” his feature on American rapper Gunna’s track.
Burna Boy’s inclusion once again underscores his consistent presence in international award circuits, where he has built a reputation as one of Africa’s most commercially successful and critically acclaimed artists.
Nigerian musicians have long maintained a strong legacy at the BET Awards, frequently competing—and winning—across major international categories.
Artists such as Davido, 2Baba, D'banj, and Ice Prince have all previously been recognised, helping to pave the way for the current generation of global Afrobeats stars.
More recently, Ayra Starr won Best International Act in 2025, further cementing Nigeria’s dominance in the category and strengthening the visibility of young African artists on the world stage.
Beyond music, the 2026 nominations also reflect broader representation of Nigerian and African diaspora talent in film and television.
Actors such as Ayo Edebiri, Cynthia Erivo, and Damson Idris were also nominated in major acting categories, highlighting the expanding influence of Black creatives across global entertainment industries.
Industry observers say the continued visibility of Nigerian artists at the BET Awards signals not just individual success, but the sustained global rise of Afrobeats as a cultural force shaping international music trends.
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
- Brent Faiyaz
- Bruno Mars
- Bryson Tiller
- Chris Brown
- Durand Bernarr
- Giveon
- Leon Thomas
- October London
- Usher
- 41
- Clipse
- De La Soul
- FLO
- French Montana & Max B
- Metro Boomin & DJ Spinz
- Nas & DJ Premier
- Terrace Martin & Kenyon Dixon
- Wizkid & Asake
- “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
- A$AP Rocky
- Baby Keem
- BigXthaPlug
- DaBaby
- Don Toliver
- Drake
- J. Cole
- Kendrick Lamar
- T.I.
- Cardi B
- Coi Leray
- Doechii
- Doja Cat
- GloRilla
- Latto
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Monaleo
- YK Niece
- “100” — Ella Mai
- “Anxiety” — Doechii
- “Burning Blue” — Mariah the Scientist
- “Chanel” — Tyla
- “Escape Room (Short Film)” — Teyana Taylor
- “Folded” — Kehlani
- “Let ’Em Know” — T.I.
- “Luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA
- A$AP Rocky & Dan Streit
- Anderson .Paak
- Benny Boom
- Cactus Jack
- Cardi B & Patientce Foster
- Cole Bennett
- Director X
- Hype Williams
- Teyana “Spike-Tey” Taylor
- Belly Gang Kushington
- Destin Conrad
- Jaydon
- kwn
- Miles Minnick
- Monaleo
- Olivia Dean
- RAYE
- Trap Dickey
- “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
- “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.
- Angela Bassett
- Ayo Edebiri
- Chase Infiniti
- Coco Jones
- Cynthia Erivo
- Keke Palmer
- Quinta Brunson
- Regina Hall
- Teyana Taylor
- Aaron Pierre
- Aldis Hodge
- Anthony Mackie
- Colman Domingo
- Damson Idris
- Delroy Lindo
- Denzel Washington
- Michael B. Jordan
- Sterling K. Brown
- Daria Johns
- Graceyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth
- Heiress Harris
- Jazzy’s World TV
- Lela Hoffmeister
- North West
- Thaddeus J. Mixson
- VanVan
- “Highest 2 Lowest”
- “Him”
- “Number One on the Call Sheet”
- “One Battle After Another”
- “Relationship Goals”
- “Ruth & Boaz”
- “Sinners”
- “Wicked: For Good”
- 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)
- Aaron Judge (Baseball)
- Anthony Edwards (Basketball)
- Caleb Williams (Football)
- Jalen Brunson (Basketball)
- Jalen Hurts (Football)
- LeBron James (Basketball)
- Shedeur Sanders (Football)
- Stephen Curry (Basketball)
- “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
- A$AP Rocky
- Bad Bunny
- Beyoncé
- Cardi B
- Colman Domingo
- Doechii
- Rihanna
- Teyana Taylor
- Zendaya
- 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