Druski is set to make history as the youngest host of the BET Awards on Sunday, surpassing Kevin Hart who previously held the distinction. The 31-year-old comedian and digital creator will host the ceremony live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles at 8 p.m. EDT.
The show will also honor music icons Lauryn Hill and Teyana Taylor. Hill will receive the Living Legend Icon Award, recognizing her enduring cultural impact and foundational work in hip-hop and R&B, particularly with her landmark solo debut "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill." Taylor will be presented with the Icon of the Year Award for her significant influence shaping current culture as a multiplatinum recording artist, actor, director, producer, and choreographer.
Cardi B leads this year's BET Awards with six nominations, while Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist each earned five nods. Doechii, Doja Cat, Clipse, Teyana Taylor, Olivia Dean, and Latto follow with four nominations each.
Several prominent artists are slated to perform, including Cardi B, Common, Doechii, Don Toliver, French Montana, Jill Scott, Kehlani, Queen Latifah, Rick Ross, Tems, T.I., and The War And Treaty. Hip-hop pioneer MC Lyte will return as the show's announcer.
Druski, known for his improvisational style and viral internet sketches, is expected to bring his unique brand of comedy to the BET Awards stage. His rise to prominence includes sold-out comedy tours and collaborations with artists such as Drake and Snoop Dogg, alongside appearances with notable figures like Tom Brady and Timothée Chalamet.
"I grew up watching the BET Awards," Druski stated. "To know the comedic legends that hosted before me set the bar so high, I’m just grateful to be a part of the history. But I’m still bringing my brand of comedy to the stage."
Additional honorees include music executive Sylvia Rhone, who will receive the Ultimate Icon Award for her pioneering leadership and impact on the music industry. Rhone broke barriers as the first Black woman to lead a major record company owned by a Fortune 500 corporation, contributing to the development of artists like Missy Elliott, Lil Wayne, and Travis Scott.
Nominations for Album of the Year include Cardi B’s “Am I the Drama?,” Clipse’s “Let God Sort Em Out,” J. Cole’s “The Fall-Off,” Leon Thomas’ “Mutt Deluxe: Heel,” Mariah the Scientist’s “Hearts Sold Separately,” Tyler, the Creator’s “Don’t Tap the Glass,” Bruno Mars’ “The Romantic,” and Wale’s “everything is a lot.”
Contenders for Song of the Year feature several major hits, such as Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther,” Leon Thomas’ “Mutt,” Doechii’s “Denial Is a River,” and Mariah the Scientist’s “Burning Blue.” The awards ceremony will also feature categories such as the Pulse Award for creator and content series and the Fashion Vanguard Award.