Later that evening, Tems joined rapper Tierra Whack in performing the Fugees’ “Fu-Gee-La” during an all-star tribute celebrating Lauryn Hill as the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award recipient.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 28: Tems performs onstage during the BET Awards 2026 at Peacock Theater on June 28, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET/AFP (Photo by Paras Griffin / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Tems delivered one of the standout performances at the 2026 BET Awards, captivating audiences with a rendition of her hit song “What You Need” during the ceremony held on Sunday, June 28, at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. Comedian Druski hosted the event.
Tems took to the stage in a distressed white gown, opening her performance alongside acclaimed pianist and music director Adam Blackstone before being joined by a live band and six backing vocalists. She sang an angelic, stripped-back version of her hit single from the EP Love Is a Kingdom.
Her rendition drew a standing ovation from the audience, which left her and her team wowed after the performance.
The 31-year-old songstress has enjoyed a long-running influence in contemporary R&B, following her nominations for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist and BET Her for her song First.
Tribute To Lauryn Hill
Later in the evening, Tems returned to the stage as part of an all-star tribute celebrating music icon Lauryn Hill, who received the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award, presented by Ice Cube.
Tems teamed up with rapper Tierra Whack for a performance of the Fugees classic “Fu-Gee-La”, one of several performances honouring Hill’s enduring impact on music across generations.
The tribute opened with The War and Treaty, led by Tanya Trotter, performing “Joyful Joyful”, a nod to Hill’s memorable role in Sister Act II. SZA and Doechii followed with “Ready or Not”, while Hill’s daughter, Selah Marley, performed the title track from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
Other performers included Doja Cat, who delivered “Superstar” before joining Nas for “If I Ruled the World”, alongside appearances from Lizzo, Rapsody, YG Marley, Zion Marley, Alexia Jayy, Queen Latifah and Common.
The tribute concluded with Lauryn Hill herself performing “Ex-Factor”, receiving a standing ovation from the audience.
Other Performance
The awards ceremony also featured a series of memorable performances from some of music’s biggest stars. T.I. opened the show with “Top Back” and “Let ‘Em Know”, while Kehlani performed an orchestral version of “Folded”, accompanied by Jamie Foxx on piano and his daughter Anelise on guitar.
Don Toliver energised the crowd with “E85” and “Body”, while British singer RAYE impressed with a performance of “Nightingale Lane”.
Cardi B, the night’s most-nominated artist, delivered a theatrical medley from her album Am I the Drama?, featuring “Hello”, “Check Please”, “ErrTime” and “Pretty & Petty”.
The ceremony also included an In Memoriam segment led by Erica Campbell and Le’Andria Johnson, while a special tribute honoured R&B legend D’Angelo with performances from Ari Lennox, RAYE, George Clinton, BJ the Chicago Kid and several others.
On the awards front, Clipse’s Let God Sort Em Out won Album of the Year, while Kehlani was named Best Female R&B/Pop Artist. Cardi B took home the Best Female Hip Hop Artist award, with Teyana Taylor and Clipse emerging among the biggest winners of the night.
