LOS ANGELES — Compton-raised lyricist Kendrick Lamar is the most-nominated artist heading into next month’s BET Awards with 10 nominations.
The nods includes Album of the Year for GNX and multiple honors for “Not Like Us,” the viral diss track that shook hip-hop and sparked nationwide debates on authenticity, loyalty, and legacy.
Lamar’s firestorm of nominations also follows a cultural moment: his Grammy sweep, where “Not Like Us” won both Song and Record of the Year, and his solo slot at the Super Bowl halftime show—the first for any hip-hop artist.
The Grand National Tour, which features Lamar and powerhouse vocalist SZA, is underway, pushing the creative boundaries of what Black artistry looks and sounds like in 2024.
Hip-hop heavyweights face off as Kendrick Lamar takes over BET Awards
Close behind Lamar are Doechii, Drake, Future, and GloRilla, each pulling six nominations. Producer Metro Boomin claimed five, while SZA and The Weeknd landed four apiece—fueling a showdown that blends generational influence with fresh fire.
This year’s BET Awards will air live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 9 at 8 p.m. EDT, celebrating the network’s 25th anniversary.
Kevin Hart returns—and it’s personal
Comedian and cultural mainstay Kevin Hart will host the awards for the first time in over a decade. “It’s a black-tie affair,” Hart said in a statement, referencing both the formality and the pride woven into Black cultural milestones. His history with BET runs deep—from hosting Comic View: One Night Stand in 2008 to producing Real Husbands of Hollywood and launching Lil Kev on BET+.
Honoring the heartbeat of a generation: 106 & Park
The ceremony will include a major tribute to 106 & Park, once the most-watched show on BET and a rite of passage for Black youth growing up in the 2000s. “It was the heartbeat of Black youth culture,” said BET CEO Scott Mills. “From Freestyle Fridays to debuting historic music videos, the show helped launch careers, shape trends, and spotlight what mattered to us.”
The tribute will reunite past hosts A.J. Calloway, Free, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz and Terrence J, alongside performances by Bow Wow, Amerie, T.I., Mýa, Jim Jones, and others.
Actors, athletes, and the power of presence
The acting categories reflect both star power and storytelling. Best Actor nominees include Colman Domingo, Denzel Washington, Sterling K. Brown, Jamie Foxx, and Will Smith. For Best Actress: Viola Davis, Angela Bassett, Quinta Brunson, Coco Jones, Zendaya, and Keke Palmer are all in the running.
In the sports world, Black excellence is front and center: Simone Biles, Angel Reese, Jalen Hurts, LeBron James and Stephen Curry are among the top contenders.
