The stars were out in full force for the 2026 BET Awards, an evening that celebrated the pinnacle of musical achievement and cultural impact. Held live at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 29, the ceremony featured a series of high-octane performances, major award wins, and poignant tributes that defined the current landscape of the genre.
The night kicked off with a commanding performance from T.I., who set a high bar by delivering a medley of his classic hit “Top Back” alongside “Let ’Em Know,” the lead single from his latest studio album, Kill The King. The energy remained high as Cardi B took the stage to perform a medley of tracks from her album Am I the Drama?, including “Pretty & Petty,” “ErrTime,” “Hello,” and “Check Please.” Her performance was followed by a significant victory, as she secured the award for Best Female Hip Hop Artist.
Druski served as the evening’s host, providing comedic relief throughout the broadcast, including a viral moment where he poked fun at Jay-Z’s recent performance at the 2026 Roots Picnic. The stage also saw a dynamic reunion between French Montana and Max B, who energized the crowd with their collaborative single, “Ever Since U Left Me (I Went Deaf).” Rick Ross joined the festivities, adding his signature flair to the performance of “Minks in Miami.”
The showcase of talent continued with Baby Keem, who brought the aesthetic of his Ca$ino project to life with a performance of “Circus Circus Freestyle,” “Dramatic Girl,” and “Good Flirts” featuring Momo Boyd. Don Toliver also made a strong impression, delivering high-energy renditions of “E85” and “Body” from his Octane album. In a notable recognition of excellence, the group Clipse was honored with the Album of the Year award for their project Let Got Sort Em Out.
The ceremony concluded with a powerful and emotional tribute to Lauryn Hill. The segment featured performances from a diverse array of artists, including Nas, Doechii, Doja Cat, Common, Queen Latifah, Tierra Whack, Rapsody, and Lizzo. The tribute culminated in a heartfelt acceptance speech from Hill, who was rightfully honored with the Living Legend Icon Award, cementing her enduring legacy in the hip-hop community.