Cardi’s haul includes Album of the Year for Am I The Drama? and a nod for Best Female Hip Hop Artist, reflecting both commercial reach and industry recognition for her recent work. Her collaboration on the “Errtime Remix” (featuring Jeezy and Latto) also earned a nomination in Best Collaboration, underscoring how strategic features and remixes have amplified her awards-season presence.

Close behind, Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist each scored five nominations, signaling a competitive field that stretches across rap, R&B, and crossover pop. Lamar’s nominations—anchored by Video of the Year for “Luther” and Best Male Hip Hop Artist—follow a year of critical acclaim and multiple Grammy wins, keeping him prominent on the awards circuit.

The 2026 slate highlights a mix of established superstars and rising voices: Doja Cat, SZA, Metro Boomin, and the duo Clipse appear among the favorites, showing the BET Awards’ continued balance of mainstream hits and artist-driven momentum. The nominations were announced in May ahead of the live telecast from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 28, giving nominees and fans about a month to build anticipation and craft performances for the broadcast.

For Cardi B, the nominations represent more than tallying trophies; they mark sustained cultural relevance and savvy career moves that keep her work visible across streaming, radio, and social platforms. Whether she converts nominations into wins, the 2026 BET Awards already read like a validation of a year where Cardi and several peers reclaimed conversation and airplay—turning chart success into awards-season momentum.