The global dominance of Afrobeats has taken center stage once again as Nigerian music icons Wizkid, Asake, Burna Boy, and Tems secured major nominations for the 2026 Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards.
The official nominees list, released on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, sparked widespread celebration across the African music landscape, spotlighting historic milestones for the contingent. This year’s ceremony, hosted by popular American comedian Druski, is scheduled to air live from Los Angeles on June 28, 2026.
A Historic Milestone for Wizkid and Asake
In a groundbreaking development that rewrites the history books, Starboy Wizkid and YNBL powerhouse Asake have become the first contemporary African artists to receive a joint nomination in the highly coveted Best Group category. The duo earned the nod following the massive critical and commercial success of their collaborative hits, putting them in direct contention with legendary international hip-hop and R&B groups like Clipse, De La Soul, Metro Boomin & DJ Spinz, and FLO.
Tems and Burna Boy Extend Dominance
Grammy-winning songstress Tems leads the Nigerian charge with multiple nominations across three flagship categories, asserting her status as a global R&B and Pop heavyweight. Meanwhile, Burna Boy continues his streak of international recognition, padding his legendary BET resume.
Key Nominations Breakdown
| Artiste | Key Nominated Categories |
| Tems 🇳🇬 | Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, BET Her (“First”), Viewer’s Choice (“Raindance” with Dave) |
| Wizkid & Asake 🇳🇬 | Best Group |
| Burna Boy 🇳🇬 | Best International Act |
The 2026 edition also marks an expansive chapter for the awards, introducing fresh cultural categories like the Fashion Vanguard Award and the Pulse Award (for digital media and podcasts). With multiple Nigerian artists strongly positioned to bring the plaques home to Lagos, the June 28 broadcast is shaping up to be another massive validation night for the relentless growth of African music on the global stage
