Here Are Performers and Presenters for the 2026 BET Awards

BET announced on Friday the participants in the tribute performances to hip-hop legend Ms. Lauryn Hill, the late neo-soul icon D’Angelo and the late gospel great Richard Smallwood, at the 2026 BET Awards.

The ceremony is set to air live on BET on Sunday, June 28, from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

Hill, who is receiving the Living Legend Icon Award, will be the subject of tribute performances by Alexia Jayy, Common, Doechii, Doja Cat, Lizzo, Nas, Queen Latifah, Rapsody, selah, Tierra Whack, The War and Treaty, Zion Marley, YG Marley, and more.

D’Angelo, who died in October at age 51, will be saluted with performances by Ari Lennox, BJ the Chicago Kid, Durand Bernarr, George Clinton and RAYE, joined by D’Angelo’s children.

Smallwood’s music will anchor the evening’s In Memoriam segment, with performances from Erica Campbell and Le’Andria Johnson. Smallwood died in December at age 77.

As previously announced, three women will receive special awards. Ms. Lauryn Hill will be honored with the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award.

Singer, songwriter and actress Teyana Taylor — a 2026 Grammy and Oscar nominee — will receive the inaugural Icon of the Year Award, and legendary music executive Sylvia Rhone will be feted with the Ultimate Icon Award.

Cardi B, the leading nominee for the 2026 BET Awards, with six nods, is set to perform on the show. Other artists with three or more nominations who are set to perform on the show, which is living up to its billing as Culture’s Biggest Night, are Jill Scott, Kehlani, Tems and T.I. (three nods each).

Queen Latifah, who hosted in 2010, is also among the performers. Hip-hop pioneer MC Lyte will return as announcer.

Jaafar Jackson, who portrayed his uncle Michael Jackson in the blockbuster film Michael, is among artists who will present or otherwise participate in the show. Michael recently topped Bohemian Rhapsody as the top-grossing music biopic worldwide.

The 2026 BET Awards airs live Sunday, June 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET. Comedian Druski is set to host what BET likes to call “Culture’s Biggest Night.”

Here are all of the performers and presenters for the 2026 BET Awards that have been announced to date.

Performers

Alexia Jayy

Ari Lennox

Baby Keem

BJ the Chicago Kid

Cardi B

Common

Doechii

Doja Cat

Don Toliver

Durand Bernarr

Erica Campbell

French Montana

George Clinton

Kehlani

Kenny Iko (BET Amplified stage)

KWN (BET Amplified stage)

Le’Andria Johnson

Lizzo

Max B

Nas

Queen Latifah

Rapsody

RAYE

Rick Ross

selah

Tems

Tierra Whack

T.I.

The War and Treaty

YG Marley

Zion Marley

Presenters & Participants

Carl Anthony Payne II

Chlöe Bailey

Chris “Comedian CP” Powell

Deon Cole

DeRay Davis

Diarra Kilpatrick

Gail Bean

Isaiah John

Jaafar Jackson

Jacob Latimore

Keke Palmer

Kelly Rowland

Latto

Luke James

Nia Long