The 2026 BET Awards nominees list is out, and Nigerian artists are everywhere. Tems, Burna Boy, and Asake have secured major nominations for the June 28 ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with comedian Druski set to host.
The Afrobeats global recognition continues to expand as Nigerian musicians move beyond international categories into main competitive fields. Tems leads the pack with three nominations: Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, the BET Her Award for her song “First,” and the Viewers’ Choice Award for “Raindance,” her collaboration with British rapper Dave.
While Asake is individually nominated, his joint recognition with Wizkid in the Best Group category marks a milestone. The duo becomes the first contemporary African artists ever nominated in this category for their collaborative “Real” EP and hits including “Turbulence” and “Jogodo”.
They will compete against heavyweights including Clipse, FLO, Nas & DJ Premier, French Montana & Max B, and Metro Boomin & DJ Spinz.
Burna Boy earned a Best Collaboration nomination for “WGFT,” his feature on Gunna’s track . The African Giant continues to transcend continental labels, now competing in an open category alongside American rap and R&B collaborations.
Notably absent from the initial announcement is the Best International Act category, long considered a key space for Afrobeats recognition at the BET Awards . Yet the absence may signal something more significant: Nigerian artists are no longer being siloed. They are competing as peers in the main categories alongside SZA, Cardi B, Kendrick Lamar, and Bruno Mars.
The June 28 ceremony will air live from Los Angeles. For Tems, Burna Boy, Asake, and Wizkid, the nominations themselves are the statement. Winning would simply be the encore.
