On June 28, the Black Entertainment Network (BET) Awards took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
The ceremony, hosted by comedian Druski, celebrated the 26th anniversary of the awards and featured headlining performances by Cardi B, Kehlani, and Tems. Several artists were also honored, including Ms. Lauryn Hill, who received the Living Legend Icon Award, and Teyana Taylor, who was given the Icon of the Year Award.
This year was notable for a variety of reasons. Not only was Druski the youngest host to ever run the BET Awards, but BET also recorded a record-high viewership.
“The 2026 ceremony hit record numbers across television, social, digital, and live experiences, including 9.3 million social interactions and BETX crowds topping 50,000,” according to their website.
This record-breaking viewership only confirms what internet culture has been saying for months: Druski is on an undeniable generational run. However, while many may be familiar with his name “Druski,” not as many know his journey.
Born in Columbia, Maryland, and raised in Gwinnett, Georgia, Druski is a testament to staying grounded and showing grit in pursuing your goals. According to Billboard, after dropping out of college to pursue a career in comedy, Andrew “Druski” Desbordes started out by posting content and content on social media. “In 2017, he began releasing comedy skits on his old Druski2funny Instagram page, and before long, opportunities began to present themselves. Fans started seeing Druski all over, from starring in hip-hop music videos with Lil Yachty, Drake and Jack Harlow…to landing on various cameos in television commercials for brands like Bud Light Seltzer, Beats By Dre, AT&T and Mountain Dew.”
Since then, he’s not only honed his craft into various satirical, sometimes controversial sketches, but he’s also created several new projects.
According to United Talent Agency, “He’s formed his own record label Coulda Been Records on the strength of identifying new talent who gravitated toward him through his own proximity to stars … Druski also has several TV & film productions in the works, much of which he’s co-writing and producing.”
In 2024, he was named one of Rolling Stone’s Most Influential Creators of the year. The following year, Druski was ranked #9 on Forbes’ top creators list.
On the Peacock Theater stage, Druski seamlessly blended his internet persona with the sharp, fast-paced rhythm of hosting. He kicked off the night suspended in mid-air, a direct nod to his viral Mega church sketch.
This high energy carried all throughout the night, especially in performances.
Atlanta native T.I. set the tone for the evening with a captivating performance of “Top Back” and “Let ‘Em Know.” Cardi B dominated the stage with a high-energy medley of hits, while Kehlani delivered a deeply personal, orchestral rendition of “Folded” alongside Jamie Foxx on the piano.
“Kehlani was my favorite performance because it felt very minimalistic but still very powerful. I love the song she did with the orchestra, [and] it made the song come alive on the stage even more.” Kaelyn Myers, 18, says.
The night was full of viral moments, including the most talked-about one: Keke Palmer taking the mic from Druski. Before Druski could keep his bit going, Keke effortlessly took control of the moment, reminding him and the audience that her résumé speaks for itself and joking that she should’ve been the one hosting the 2026 BET Awards. With perfect comedic timing, Keke practically snatched the mic, took over the segment like the pro she is, and smoothly transitioned into the next award.
The duo had social media buzzing over the apparent drama; however, it was likely a bit and scripted.
Artists such as Teyana Taylor won big, taking home four prestigious awards, including ‘The Icon of the Year’ award, presented by Janet Jackson. The evening reached its emotional peak with a star-studded tribute to the late D’Angelo, introduced by his children, followed by a tribute for Ms. Lauryn Hill.
“My favorite part was the tributes because it showed older musicians and newer ones coming together to celebrate an icon,” Makaylah Owens-Cook, 18, said. “I also liked Raye’s performance … I think it was important because it shows that Black people and their music doesn’t always have to fit into one sound.”
