The 2026 BET Awards delivered one of the most emotionally charged nights in the ceremony’s history — a Lauryn Hill tribute that moved an entire arena, an unexpected Janet Jackson entrance that left Teyana Taylor in tears, and a history-making turn from comedian Druski as the youngest host the show has ever had.
The show opened with Druski descending from the rafters at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater in a harness as a choir performed Kirk Franklin’s “Revolution” — an entrance that immediately set a tone of spectacle and joy. Druski, 31, became the youngest host in BET Awards history, surpassing Kevin Hart, who held the distinction since 2011. Throughout the night, he leaned into his comedic persona with bits alongside Martin Lawrence — who shut down Druski’s pitch to appear in the next Bad Boys film while teasing his upcoming Paramount+ series — and Latto, who playfully mocked him during transitions. He also spoofed Jay-Z’s Roots Picnic freestyle. MC Lyte returned as the evening’s announcer.
Lauryn Hill: Twenty Minutes of Tribute, Then She Performed Anyway
The evening’s emotional centrepiece was a 20-minute tribute to Lauryn Hill, honoured with the Living Legend Icon Award for a career that spans her years with the Fugees and culminates in The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill — one of the most critically acclaimed albums in the history of recorded music.
Hill stood smiling, singing along, and applauding as SZA, Doechii, Lizzo, Queen Latifah, Common, and her own children Selah and Zion Marley worked through her catalogue. Ice Cube introduced her and the room. When she finally took the stage to accept, she spoke directly to the artists in the room: “I fight for y’all. And fighting for y’all is me fighting for myself, it’s me fighting for my children, it’s me fighting for my community.”
Then she performed anyway — an impromptu “Ex-Factor,” followed by “Everything Is Everything” to close the show. It was a reminder, if any was needed, of why a 20-minute tribute barely scratches the surface.
ALSO READ: The Grammys Are Adding Five New Categories and Changing Best New Artist Rules for 2027
Janet Jackson and Teyana Taylor’s Unforgettable Moment
Teyana Taylor did not know Janet Jackson was coming. Nobody told her. When Jackson walked onto the stage to present the Icon of the Year Award, Taylor was visibly stunned, embracing the legend while the entire arena rose for a standing ovation. She fought back tears throughout.
“There will be no me without you,” Taylor said to Jackson.
Jackson praised Taylor’s relentless creative range, pointing to her Golden Globe win for best supporting actress in One Battle After Another and calling her gifts “God-given.” Taylor, accepting the honour after a two-decade career that has taken her from multiplatinum recording artist to award-winning actor, director, producer, and choreographer, was characteristically direct about what the recognition meant. “I worked my [expletives] off 20 years,” she said. “So I’m not accepting what I’ve earned with arrogance. I’m accepting what I’ve earned with gratitude.”
More From the Night
Music executive Sylvia Rhone received the BET Ultimate Icon Award, presented by Kelly Rowland. Rhone made history as the first Black woman to lead a major record label owned by a Fortune 500 corporation, helping build the careers of Tracy Chapman, Brandy, Erykah Badu, Lil Wayne, Kid Cudi, Future, Travis Scott, and Tyler, the Creator, among many others. She used her acceptance speech to call on the industry to protect artists in the age of AI. “We make the algorithm. The algorithm doesn’t make us. We must honour the musician. We must compensate the creator.”
D’Angelo was honoured with an all-star tribute that opened with his three children and featured performances from Ari Lennox, BJ the Chicago Kid, Durand Bernarr, George Clinton, and RAYE. An emotional in memoriam segment remembered gospel composer Richard Smallwood, legendary music executive Clive Davis — who died earlier in the week at 94 — Malcolm-Jamal Warner, and others, with Erica Campbell performing Whitney Houston’s “I Love the Lord” alongside Le’Andria Johnson.
Opening performances featured Kehlani performing “Folded” with Jamie Foxx and his daughter Anelise Estelle Foxx on guitar. Don Toliver performed “E85” and “Body.” Accepting the best female R&B/pop artist award, Kehlani admitted she had not prepared a speech — instead marvelling that “Janet Jackson is here.”
Stay informed. Subscribe to the JournalTodays Newsletter for the latest music news, BET Awards coverage, and entertainment updates delivered straight to your inbox.
