Druski is set to make BET Awards history as the youngest host of the show, a milestone that adds extra attention to a night already stacked with major names. Lauryn Hill and Teyana Taylor will also be honored, while Cardi B, Doechii and Queen Latifah are among the stars expected to perform.
The 31-year-old comedian and digital creator will take the stage live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles at 8 p.m. EDT. AP reports that he will surpass Kevin Hart, who previously held the distinction as the BET Awards’ youngest host when he emceed in 2011.
Who Leads The Nominees
Cardi B tops this year’s field with six nominations, while Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist follow with five apiece. Doechii, Doja Cat, Clipse, Teyana Taylor, Olivia Dean and Latto each earned four nominations.
The album of the year category brings together 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.”
Song of the year includes several of the biggest records of the season, with Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther,” Leon Thomas’ “Mutt,” Doechii’s “Denial Is a River,” and Mariah the Scientist’s “Burning Blue” all in the mix.
Performers And The Voice Of The Night
The first wave of performers features 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.
Honors For Lauryn Hill, Teyana Taylor And Sylvia Rhone
Hill will receive the Living Legend Icon Award, which recognizes pioneers whose work has stayed culturally essential across generations. BET called her “the very definition of a living legend,” pointing to her influence from the Fugees to her landmark solo debut, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.”
Taylor, who starred in “One Battle After Another,” will receive the Icon of the Year Award for a career that has moved from multiplatinum music into acting, directing, producing and choreography. Music executive Sylvia Rhone will receive the Ultimate Icon Award for her leadership and lasting impact on the music industry.
Rhone made history as the first Black woman to lead a major record company owned by a Fortune 500 corporation, and her career includes helping develop artists such as Missy Elliott, Lil Wayne, Tracy Chapman, Brandy, Erykah Badu, Kid Cudi, Future, Travis Scott and Giveon.
More Categories In Play
The awards will also include the Pulse Award for creator and content series, along with the Fashion Vanguard Award for cultural impact in fashion. Druski said he grew up watching the BET Awards and is bringing his own brand of comedy to a stage shaped by past hosting legends.
