African Artists Nominated for 2026 BET Awards
African Artists Nominated for 2026 BET Awards: Tems, Tyla, Wizkid, Burna Boy and Asake
Yo, Afrobeats fans, we need to talk because the 2026 BET Awards nominations just dropped and they are already starting a war online. In this blog, you will learn all about the African artists’ 2026 BET Awards nominations.
BET announced this year’s nominees on May 19, 2026, and Africa showed up in a massive way. Tems, Tyla, Wizkid, Asake, and Burna Boy are all in the building. But the real reason social media is fighting everywhere right now? Our stars are competing directly in mainstream global categories. This is not a special, side-stage African category. This is the real stage.
The ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with comedian Druski hosting. While the global industry prepares for the night, the Afrobeats community is busy breaking down the massive nominations, the shocking snubs, and the controversies that have everyone arguing. Here is exactly what is happening.
Why the African Artists’ 2026 BET Awards Nominations Are a Big Deal
Something shifted this year, and you need to pay attention. There is no separate Africa category or international act category on the 2026 BET Awards ballot. African music is no longer asking the world for attention or waiting for a special invite. The world is already watching.
Our artists are competing directly alongside the biggest names in global entertainment like Kendrick Lamar, Mariah the Scientist, and Cardi B. This is exactly what fans across the continent have been pushing for, signaling a new era for how the world views the culture. Some global music has been sounding a bit repetitive lately, but Afrobeats keeps evolving, which is why our stars are carrying the energy of these major award shows.
Tems Leads Africa With 3 Nominations at the 2026 BET Awards
Tems is the most nominated African artist at this year’s ceremony, pulling in three major nods. At this point, she is entering a completely different level. She is no longer just an Afrobeats artist; she is a global music figure.
Tems’s 2026 BET Awards Nominations
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Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
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BET Her Award: for her song “First”
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Viewers’ Choice Award: for “Raindance” featuring Dave
Let us be completely honest about why Tems currently has some of the strongest international respect in the industry. She moves differently. There is no unnecessary noise, no constant online drama, and no forcing trends. Just pure talent, intentional brand positioning, and quality music.
The Best Female R&B/Pop Artist slot is one of the most competitive categories on the ballot, putting her up against SZA, Kehlani, and Coco Jones. The BET Her nomination for “First” shows her deep connection with audiences, while “Raindance,” with British rapper Dave, crossed genres effortlessly. Taking over three completely different mainstream categories is a massive statement.
Tyla Makes History With 2 Nominations
South Africa’s Tyla is on an unstoppable run, and her hit single “Chanel” just earned her two nominations. One of them is officially historic: Tyla is the first African artist ever nominated for Video of the Year at the BET Awards. Let that sink in for a second.
Tyla’s 2026 BET Awards Nominations
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Video of the Year: for “Chanel”
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Viewers’ Choice Award: for “Chanel”
“Chanel” has been an absolute monster since its October 2025 release. The TikTok dance challenge took over global markets from Asia to the Middle East, with K-pop stars jumping on the trend. The music video went viral in fashion circles for featuring vintage, Karl Lagerfeld-era Chanel archive pieces.
By debuting at number one on both the US and UK Afrobeats charts simultaneously, Tyla became the first artist to achieve that double. By April 2026, the track was certified Gold in the United States by the RIAA. Video of the Year is stacked with heavy hitters like Teyana Taylor and Kendrick Lamar, but this nomination alone cements her legacy in the current era.
Wizkid and Asake Score Historic Best Group Nomination
This is easily one of the most talked-about moments on the entire nomination list. Wizkid and Asake received a joint nomination in the Best Group category. Seeing two Nigerian megastars recognized together in a category traditionally dominated by Western groups is history being made in real time.
Wizkid & Asake’s 2026 BET Award Nomination
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Best Group: Wizkid & Asake
This combination is incredible because it represents experience mixed with madness. Wizkid has mastered calm dominance. He does not talk much online anymore; he just appears, drops music, and the internet explodes. Then you have Asake, who brought street influence, chaos, and unpredictable energy to completely change the sound of mainstream Nigerian music.
Asake has been moving at a pace that forces the whole world to pay attention, with his M$NEY album already surpassing 200 million Spotify streams earlier this year. Combined with Wizkid’s status as one of the most decorated African artists in BET history, this nomination proves that Afrobeats partnerships are now global events.
Burna Boy Bags a 2026 BET Awards Nomination for Best Collaboration
The African Giant is back on the list. He secured a nomination in the Best Collaboration category for his feature on Gunna’s track “WGFT.”
Burna Boy’s 2026 BET Award Nomination
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Best Collaboration: “WGFT” featuring Burna Boy (Gunna)
Burna Boy’s ability to slide onto a major American rap record and make it feel effortless is exactly why he keeps getting these high-level features. But his nomination also brings up a bigger debate within the fandom. Whenever an award show comes up, Burna Boy fans arrive like the Avengers because he has built an elite global brand.
However, some core fans are asking an uncomfortable question: Has Burna Boy become too global? While some miss the raw African sound from his earlier eras, others believe this international evolution is exactly what greatness looks like. He clearly wants a legacy that transcends boundaries, and he is achieving it.
Full Breakdown: African Artists 2026 BET Awards Nominations at a Glance
Here is the quick summary of every African artist in the running:
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Tems: Best Female R&B/Pop Artist | BET Her Award (“First”) | Viewers’ Choice (“Raindance” ft. Dave)
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Tyla: Video of the Year (“Chanel”) | Viewers’ Choice (“Chanel”)
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Wizkid & Asake: Best Group
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Burna Boy: Best Collaboration (“WGFT” ft. Burna Boy on Gunna’s track)
The African diaspora is taking over every room this year, as stars of Nigerian heritage also dominated the acting categories. Ayo Edebiri and Cynthia Erivo both received Best Actress nominations, while Damson Idris earned a Best Actor nod.
The Snubs and the Changing “Big 3” Conversation
Every award show needs controversy, and social media is already asking who got robbed. A lot of fans believe Ayra Starr deserved far more recognition this year.
It is a harsh reminder that award shows are not only about pure talent. They are also about visibility, industry relationships, global marketing, timing, and cultural momentum. The artist with the biggest global moment usually takes the prize.
Because of this, the traditional “Big 3” conversation in Afrobeats is slowly evolving. The gap between the established legends and the new generation is shrinking fast. Stars like Asake, Rema, Ayra Starr, and Tyla are leveraging streaming and social media to build international fanbases much faster than the older generation could. The next five years of African music are going to look completely different.
The award nominations are simply the industry catching up to the exploding streaming data we track every week on Spotify and Apple Music. Winning on the night is the next chapter.
Which African artist are you rooting for on June 28? Who do you think got completely snubbed by BET this year? Drop your hottest takes and predictions in the comments below!
When Afrobeats moves, we are on the ground. From massive global awards to the underground sounds shaping the future, we cover it all. Drop your predictions below and make AfrobeatsGlobal your home for the 2026 BET Awards. Share this post with every Afrobeats fan you know, and keep it locked to AfrobeatsGlobal for our live coverage on the night. You can check out our previous blog on State of Mind by Wizkid ft. DJ Tunez: Lyrics and Full Meaning.
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