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Druski Makes BET Awards History as Youngest Host While Hill, Taylor, and Rhone Receive Iconic Honors
On Sunday, June 28, 2026, the BET Awards returned to Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater for a live broadcast at 8 p.m. EDT. The ceremony was marked by several historic moments. 31‑year‑old comedian and digital creator Drew Desbordes, known professionally as Druski, became the youngest host in BET Awards history, surpassing Kevin Hart’s 2011 appearance. The event also honored three influential figures: Lauryn Hill with the Living Legend Icon Award, Teyana Taylor with the Icon of the Year Award, and music executive Sylvia Rhone with the Ultimate Icon Award.
Druski’s role as emcee follows a career that began with viral sketch comedy on social media. He has since performed sold‑out tours and collaborated with artists such as Drake, Snoop Dogg, and Jack Harlow. According to the AP report, he expressed gratitude for the legacy of previous hosts and indicated he would bring his improvisational style to the stage. The ceremony’s live broadcast will feature a lineup of performers, including Cardi B, Common, Doechii, Don Toliver, French Montana, Jill Scott, Kehlani, Queen Latifah, Rick Ross, Tems, T.I., and The War And Treaty. Hip‑hop pioneer MC Lyte will serve as the show’s announcer.
The awards themselves reflected the breadth of contemporary Black music. Cardi B leads the nominations with six, followed by Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist with five each. Doechii, Doja Cat, Clipse, Teyana Taylor, Olivia Dean, and Latto each receive four nods. Album of the Year contenders include Cardi B’s Am I the Drama?, Clipse’s Let God Sort Em Out, J. Cole’s The Fall‑Off, Leon Thomas’ Mutt Deluxe: Heel, Mariah the Scientist’s Hearts Sold Separately, Tyler, the Creator’s Don’t Tap the Glass, Bruno Mars’ The Romantic, and Wale’s everything is a lot. Song of the Year nominees feature Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther,” Leon Thomas’ “Mutt,” Doechii’s “Denial Is a River,” and Mariah the Scientist’s “Burning Blue.”
Lauryn Hill’s Living Legend Icon Award recognizes her pioneering work that reshaped hip‑hop and R&B. Hill first gained prominence as a member of the Fugees before releasing the 1998 solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which remains one of the most influential recordings in the genre. The award, presented by BET, acknowledges her sustained cultural impact across generations.
Teyana Taylor’s Icon of the Year Award highlights her evolution from a multi‑platinum recording artist to an award‑winning actress, director, producer, and choreographer. Taylor’s recent film work, including a Golden Globe‑winning performance in One Battle After Another, underscores the breadth of her creative influence.
Sylvia Rhone’s Ultimate Icon Award honors her groundbreaking leadership in the music industry. Rhone became the first Black woman to head a major record company owned by a Fortune 500 firm. Over her five‑decade career, she has helped develop artists such as Missy Elliott, Lil Wayne, Erykah Badu, and Travis Scott.
In addition to the main categories, the ceremony will present the Pulse Award for creator and content series and the Fashion Vanguard Award for cultural impact in fashion. These new honors reflect BET’s commitment to recognizing emerging forms of Black creativity.
The 2026 BET Awards thus combined a historic hosting debut, a roster of high‑profile performers, and a slate of nominations that span the spectrum of contemporary Black music. The event underscored the network’s role in celebrating artistic excellence and industry leadership while honoring figures whose work continues to shape culture.
Druski’s role as emcee follows a career that began with viral sketch comedy on social media. He has since performed sold‑out tours and collaborated with artists such as Drake, Snoop Dogg, and Jack Harlow. According to the AP report, he expressed gratitude for the legacy of previous hosts and indicated he would bring his improvisational style to the stage. The ceremony’s live broadcast will feature a lineup of performers, including Cardi B, Common, Doechii, Don Toliver, French Montana, Jill Scott, Kehlani, Queen Latifah, Rick Ross, Tems, T.I., and The War And Treaty. Hip‑hop pioneer MC Lyte will serve as the show’s announcer.
The awards themselves reflected the breadth of contemporary Black music. Cardi B leads the nominations with six, followed by Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist with five each. Doechii, Doja Cat, Clipse, Teyana Taylor, Olivia Dean, and Latto each receive four nods. Album of the Year contenders include Cardi B’s Am I the Drama?, Clipse’s Let God Sort Em Out, J. Cole’s The Fall‑Off, Leon Thomas’ Mutt Deluxe: Heel, Mariah the Scientist’s Hearts Sold Separately, Tyler, the Creator’s Don’t Tap the Glass, Bruno Mars’ The Romantic, and Wale’s everything is a lot. Song of the Year nominees feature Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther,” Leon Thomas’ “Mutt,” Doechii’s “Denial Is a River,” and Mariah the Scientist’s “Burning Blue.”
Lauryn Hill’s Living Legend Icon Award recognizes her pioneering work that reshaped hip‑hop and R&B. Hill first gained prominence as a member of the Fugees before releasing the 1998 solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which remains one of the most influential recordings in the genre. The award, presented by BET, acknowledges her sustained cultural impact across generations.
Teyana Taylor’s Icon of the Year Award highlights her evolution from a multi‑platinum recording artist to an award‑winning actress, director, producer, and choreographer. Taylor’s recent film work, including a Golden Globe‑winning performance in One Battle After Another, underscores the breadth of her creative influence.
Sylvia Rhone’s Ultimate Icon Award honors her groundbreaking leadership in the music industry. Rhone became the first Black woman to head a major record company owned by a Fortune 500 firm. Over her five‑decade career, she has helped develop artists such as Missy Elliott, Lil Wayne, Erykah Badu, and Travis Scott.
In addition to the main categories, the ceremony will present the Pulse Award for creator and content series and the Fashion Vanguard Award for cultural impact in fashion. These new honors reflect BET’s commitment to recognizing emerging forms of Black creativity.
The 2026 BET Awards thus combined a historic hosting debut, a roster of high‑profile performers, and a slate of nominations that span the spectrum of contemporary Black music. The event underscored the network’s role in celebrating artistic excellence and industry leadership while honoring figures whose work continues to shape culture.