NAACP Image Award Nominees 2026 Full List: Every TV Show, Star, and Surprise Pick

Awards season loves to pretend it’s predictable. The 2026 NAACP Image Award nominees just blew that illusion up—in the best way possible.

This year’s nominations are stacked with buzzy TV hits, prestige performances, digital creators who actually move culture and a few eyebrow-raising inclusions that will absolutely fuel group chats until the ceremony airs. As always, the NAACP Image Awards continue to do what other awards bodies sometimes won’t: spotlight Black excellence across television, film, music, and digital media—without playing it safe.

Below is the full list of NAACP Image Award nominees 2026, broken down into clean, scroll-friendly tables so you don’t have to squint, scroll, or spiral. Consider this your go-to cheat sheet before winners are crowned.

Category

Nominees

Entertainer of the Year

Cynthia Erivo; Doechii; Kendrick Lamar; Michael B. Jordan; Teyana Taylor

Outstanding Album

Am I The Drama? – Cardi B (Atlantic Records) Beloved – GIVĒON (Epic Records) Let God Sort Em Out – Clipse, Pusha T, Malice (Roc Nation Distribution) Mutt Deluxe: Heel – Leon Thomas (EZMNY Records/Motown Records) SOS Deluxe: LANA – SZA (RCA Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)

Outstanding Song – Soul/R&B

“Folded” – Kehlani (Atlantic Records) “Burning Blue” – Mariah the Scientist (Epic Records) “It Depends” – Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment) “Yes It Is” – Leon Thomas (EZMNY Records/Motown Records) “Bed of Roses” – Teyana Taylor (Def Jam Recordings)

Outstanding Song – Hip-Hop/Rap

“Anxiety” – Doechii (Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records) “Chains & Whips” – Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams, Pusha T, Malice (Roc Nation Distribution) “ErrTime” – Cardi B (Atlantic Records) “Ride (Remix)” – Chance the Rapper feat. Do or Die & Twista (CTR LLC) “Typa” – GloRilla (CMG/Interscope Records)

Outstanding Male Artist

Bryson Tiller – “Solace” & “The Vices” Chris Brown – “It Depends” feat. Bryson Tiller GIVĒON – Beloved Kendrick Lamar – “luther” Leon Thomas – MUTT Deluxe: Heel

Outstanding Female Artist

Alex Isley – “Hands” Cardi B – Am I the Drama? Doechii – “Anxiety” SZA – SOS Deluxe: LANA Teyana Taylor – Escape Room

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)

803Fresh feat. Fantasia – “Boots on the Ground Remix” Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams, Pusha T, Malice – “Chains & Whips” Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande – “For Good” Mariah Carey & The Clark Sisters – “Jesus I Do” Travis Greene & Andra Day – “Let Freedom Ring”

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)

Cardi B & Kehlani – “Safe” Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller & Usher – “It Depends (Remix)” kwn feat. Kehlani – “Worst Behavior” FLO – “The Mood (Remixes)” Leon Thomas & Chris Brown – “MUTT (Remix)”

Outstanding New Artist

Elmiene – “Useless Without You” Lee Vasi – “Love Me to Life” Madison McFerrin – “Scorpio” Monaleo – “Who Did the Body?” Ravyn Lenae – “Bicycle Race”

Outstanding Jazz Album

For Dinah – Ledisi We Insist! 2025 – Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell Beneath the Skin – Nnenna Freelon Live-Action – Nate Smith Griot Songs – Omar Thomas Large Ensemble

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album

Jekalyn X The Legends – Jekalyn Carr Live at Maverick City – Maverick City Music Only on the Road (Live) – Tye Tribbett Tasha – Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Live Reunion: Washington D.C. – JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise

Outstanding International Song

“In Our Sight” – Skip Marley “Is It” – Tyla “Love” – Burna Boy “With You” – Davido feat. Omah Lay “You4Me” – Tiwa Savage

Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album

“Anxiety” – Doechii “Boots on the Ground” – 803Fresh “Escape Room” – Teyana Taylor “Folded” – Kehlani “luther” – Kendrick Lamar & SZA

Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album

Godfather of Harlem: Season 4 Highest 2 Lowest Sinners The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder – Season 3 Wicked: For Good

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song

“Church” – Tasha Cobbs Leonard feat. John Legend “Constant – Live” – Maverick City Music et al. “Do It Again” – Kirk Franklin “Don’t Faint” – Jekalyn Carr “Jesus I Do” – Mariah Carey feat. The Clark Sisters

Outstanding Original Score for Television/Film

Boots Eyes of Wakanda Marvel’s Ironheart: Vol. 1 One of Them Days Sinners

Outstanding Motion Picture

Highest 2 Lowest; One of Them Days; Sarah’s Oil; Sinners; Wicked: For Good

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (TV / Limited Series)

Leah Sava Jeffries – Percy Jackson and the Olympians Amanda Christine – IT: Welcome to Derry Blake Cameron James – IT: Welcome to Derry Jeremiah Felder – The Residence Percy Daggs IV – Paradise

Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Art/Comedy

Darren Watkins Jr. (@IShowSpeed) Jordan Howlett (@jordan_the_stallion8) Joshua Neal (@joshuadneal) Lou Young (@Louuuyoung) Tee Sanders (@teesanderscomedy)

Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Political/Culture

Elizabeth Booker Houston (@bookersquared) Garrison Hayes (@garrisonh) George Lee Jr. (@theconsciouslee) Joshua Doss (@doss.discourse) Lynae Vanee (@lynaevanee)

Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Fashion/Beauty

Allyiah Gainer (@allyiahsface) De’arra Taylor (@dearra) Eni Popoola (@enigivensunday) Jackie Asamoah (@jackieaina) Wisdom Kaye (@wisdm)

Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Gaming/Tech

Berlin Edmonds (@Berleezy) Cory Kenshin (@CoryxKenshin) Gerard Williams (@hiphopgamer) Jay Ann Lopez (@blackgirlgamers) Khleo Thomas (@khleothomas)

Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Lifestyle/Food

Alex Hill (@justaddhotsauce) Jeanette Jenkins (@msjeanettejenkins) Keith Lee (@Keith_Lee125) Kimberly Villalobos (@KimmysKreations.1) Massy Arias (@Massy.Arias)

Why the 2026 NAACP Image Award Nominees Matter

What makes the NAACP Image Awards 2026 hit differently is intention. These nominations don’t chase trends—they validate them. From broadcast TV staples to streaming disruptors and creators who built empires with a ring light and Wi-Fi, the list reflects where entertainment actually is right now.

And yes, some snubs will be debated. That’s tradition. But overall? This year’s slate feels expansive, current, and unapologetically rooted in Black creativity across every screen size.

• 📅 Air Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026

• 🕗 Time: 8:00 PM ET / PT (simulcast)

• 📺 Network: BET (with a simulcast on CBS)

Final Take from The TV Cave

The full list of NAACP Image Award nominees 2026 proves the awards are still one of the few ceremonies willing to recognize both legacy talent and the next wave—without acting like one cancels out the other. Whether you’re tuning in for the wins, the speeches, or just to see who Twitter crowns before the envelopes open, this year’s nominees give us plenty to talk about.

Who’s your pick? Who got snubbed? And which category is about to cause the most chaos?

We’ll be watching. 🍿More coverage, previews, and post-show reactions coming soon on The TV Cave.