Cardi B and Queen Latifah are officially stepping into the spotlight for a BET Awards 2026 stage that is already looking heavy.
BET announced that Cardi and Queen Latifah will perform during this year’s ceremony, which airs live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 28, at 8 p.m. ET. Druski is hosting, giving the night a wild-card energy before the first award even gets handed out.
The lineup does not stop there. Common, Doechii, Don Toliver, Jill Scott, Kehlani, Rick Ross, Tems, T.I., The War and Treaty, and rising artist kwn are also set to perform. In one of the more talked-about additions, French Montana and Max B are expected to reunite for what BET is billing as a long-awaited performance. MC Lyte will also return as the show’s announcer.
“BET Awards has always been a celebration of the artists, visionaries, and cultural moments that shape our community and move culture forward,” BET executive Connie Orlando said. “This year’s show brings together an extraordinary mix of legends, superstars, and emerging talent whose influence continues to resonate across generations. From powerful performances to historic tributes, we’re creating the kind of unforgettable moments that define the BET Awards. And we’re only getting started.”
Cardi enters the night with the most nominations, pulling six nods, including Best Female Hip Hop Artist and Album of the Year for “Am I The Drama?” Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist follow with five nominations each, while Doechii, Doja Cat, Clipse, Teyana Taylor, Olivia Dean, and Latto each earned four.
Beyond the performances, BET is also setting up a tribute-heavy night. Ms. Lauryn Hill will receive the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award, while Teyana Taylor will be honored with the Icon of the Year Award. Music executive Sylvia Rhone is also being celebrated, adding another legacy moment to a show already stacked with generational range.
Now in its 26th year, the BET Awards continue to spotlight Black excellence across music, film, television, sports, and culture. This year, though, the performance lineup makes one thing clear: BET is not easing into show night. It is pulling from every era and daring viewers not to tune in.
GOOD JOB QUEEN LATIFAH!!!