As the 2026 BET Awards approach, some of music and entertainment's biggest names are not just competing for trophies, they are chasing history.
Set for June 28, this year's ceremony could see as many as 16 records broken or extended, with artists including Beyoncé, Cardi B, Kendrick Lamar, SZA and Chris Brown all in position to further cement their legacies.
Leading the conversation is Beyoncé, who already holds the record as the most awarded artist in BET Awards history with 36 wins. A victory in the Fashion Vanguard Award category would take her tally to 37, extending a record that has stood for years.
Cardi B could also have a landmark night. The rapper heads into the ceremony with six nominations and has a chance to break the record for the most BET Awards won in a single night.
The current mark stands at five wins, jointly held by Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar. Mariah the Scientist, who is also nominated six times, could similarly challenge the record.
Kendrick Lamar, meanwhile, continues to dominate the hip-hop categories. A win this year would give him a ninth Best Male Hip Hop Artist trophy, extending his own record in the category. He is also part of the acclaimed "Luther" collaboration with SZA, which is nominated for Video of the Year.
That nomination presents another historic opportunity for SZA. Should "Luther" win, she would become only the second female artist after Beyoncé to claim multiple Video of the Year trophies at the BET Awards.
She is also in line to become just the second female artist to win the Best Female R&B/Pop Artist award four times and the second to win it in four consecutive years.
Outside the music categories, several actors are also eyeing milestones. Cynthia Erivo could become only the second actress after Taraji P. Henson to win the Best Actress award in consecutive years.
Meanwhile, Denzel Washington could extend his record as the most decorated Best Actor winner with a sixth victory, while Michael B. Jordan could become only the second actor to win the category four or more times.
British artists are also in contention for history. Raye and Olivia Dean could become the first British female artists to win Best New Artist, while girl group Flo could become the first British female group to take home the Best Group award and only the second female group to do so since Destiny's Child won in 2005.
Elsewhere, Chris Brown could extend his record in the Best Male R&B/Pop Artist category with a ninth win, Kirk Franklin could collect a ninth Gospel/Inspirational Award, and basketball stars Angel Reese and LeBron James are both within reach of further milestones in the sports categories.